Short answer: as of the latest available reporting, producing a U.S. penny costs about 3.7 to 3.69 cents per coin, well above its one-cent face value. This has led to ongoing debate about penny production and, in late 2025, discussions and actions around ending penny production while keeping pennies legal tender.

Details and context

• Production cost versus face value: The U.S. Mint has consistently reported that the unit cost to manufacture and distribute a penny surpasses its 1-cent face value, approximately in the 3.7 to 3.69-cent range in recent years. This means taxpayers incur a loss on each penny produced.

• 2024–2025 cost figures: Recent sources cite penny production costs near 3.69 cents per coin, reflecting material costs (copper and zinc) and distribution/administrative expenses. Several outlets note that the penny costs several times its face value to produce.

• Policy developments: In 2025, there were reports indicating the U.S. Treasury planned or considered ending new penny production while keeping the coin legal tender, with some outlets framing this as a formal move to stop minting new pennies starting in 2026. The legal status and continued use of the penny as currency were highlighted in several analyses.

• Public and economic implications: Analyses mention potential savings from stopping penny production (as much as tens of millions of dollars annually) and discuss broader effects on prices, consumer behavior, and the currency system.

If you’d like, I can pull up the most recent official Mint or Treasury statements and summarize their numbers precisely, including any changes announced for 2026 and beyond.