“The US Mint in 2023 reported it circulated around 4.1 billion pennies. In fiscal year 2024, the US Mint said in its annual report that the US penny costs about 3.7 cents to produce and distribute, up more than 20% from the previous year.”
So, producing pennies costs about $150M per year, in round numbers. I’m not sure we’re going to put a dent in a multi-trillion dollar deficit focusing on nickel-and-dime issues like the cost of making a penny.
That’s the whole problem: If you DON’T start with the little things, they turn into the big things being complained about.
Start small, and keep growing the solution, rather than just giving up by saying “Oh, it’s too minor to worry about.”