‘Penny pinching:’ penny shortages affecting businesses

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Digital currencies are sweeping across the globe. People are making the switch from physical to pixels with just the tap of a phone or card.

The Empower Bank said that one in five Americans rely on dollar bills or tangible currency. Now, one of those coins are no longer being produced.

The penny was first created in the 1700s, and in 2025, after more than 250 years later, the coin had its final set in late 2025.

The U.S. Department of Treasury said that over the past 10 years, the cost of production of the penny tripled its price, resulting in the U.S. Mint in an $85 million loss.

Now, the department urges businesses to round up or down to the nearest five cents during the shortage if pennies are not available. 

Most businesses impacted are asking customers to use debit or credit cards.