Image Credit: Getty Images The term "penniless" will take on a new meaning moving forward. The United States penny has officially been discontinued as of November 2025. The production of the coin was canceled by the U.S. Mint, leaving some Americans confused as to why it was necessary. Below, learn why the penny was discontinued by the government and what this means for the future of American currency. Why Was the Penny Discontinued? Donald Trump announced in early 2025 that they would discontinue future production of the U.S. penny in order to save taxpayers money.