Group 1: Currency Production and Costs - The production cost of a penny in fiscal 2024 was 3.69 cents, leading to a loss of $85.3 million for the Mint [3] - The cost of making a nickel in fiscal 2024 was 13.78 cents, resulting in a loss of $17.7 million [2] - Ending the production of pennies is expected to save the Mint approximately $56 million annually [3] Group 2: Inflation and Purchasing Power - The dollar's purchasing power has significantly decreased, with $100 in 2025 equivalent to what $12.05 could buy in 1970 [5] - The aggressive money printing has led to a decline in the value of smaller denominations, with the penny and nickel being the first to go [2][3] Group 3: Gold as an Investment - Gold prices have surged by over 50% in the past year, making it a popular choice for preserving wealth during inflation [7] - Gold is viewed as a safe-haven asset, especially during economic or geopolitical uncertainty, as it cannot be printed like fiat money [7][8] - Ray Dalio emphasized the importance of including gold in investment portfolios, particularly during challenging economic times [9] Group 4: Real Estate as a Hedge - The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index increased by 47% over the past five years, indicating strong demand in the real estate market [12] - Real estate often provides a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation, making it a powerful hedge against rising costs [12] Group 5: Alternative Investment Opportunities - Platforms like Masterworks allow investors to buy shares in blue-chip artwork, making art investment more accessible [21] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived enable investments in rental properties with minimal capital, providing exposure to real estate without the responsibilities of being a landlord [14][15]

Currency & Monetary Policy - The penny has been discontinued [1] - The last penny was minted [1] Economic Impact - Industry anticipates changes in handling small transactions [1] - Industry expects consumers to "keep the change" [1]

Production & Policy - The US Mint in Philadelphia ended the production of the American penny after more than 230 years [1] - Over 300 billion pennies are still legal tender in circulation [2] - President Trump previously called the penny wasteful due to its production cost being almost four times its face value [2] - A congressional bill attempting to eliminate the penny was proposed as early as 1990 [2] Business Impact & Adaptation - Some banks and businesses are scrambling due to the abrupt end of the penny [3] - The vast majority of businesses are expected to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel [3] - Retail trade groups are urging Congress to establish a national standard for rounding cash transactions [4]

Market Trends - A penny shortage is anticipated following the cessation of penny minting [1] - Some retailers are already reporting penny shortages [1] Retail Impact - Kroger's, McDonald's, and Walmart are experiencing penny supply issues [1] - Some retailers are rounding cash prices due to penny scarcity [1]