His argument – that pennies cost more to mint than they are worth – echoed a January 2025 recommendation from the then-Elon Musk-directed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to put an end to the penny because producing 4.

The U.S. has stopped making cents.

“God bless America, and we’re going to save the taxpayers $56 million,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said just before hitting a button to strike the final penny.