The penny is officially out of production, and two Oklahoma lawmakers are at the center of it. The Common Cents Act, championed by Sen. James Lankford and Rep. Frank Lucas, passed both chambers of Congress and is awaiting President Trump’s signature. The bill ends one-cent coin production for good and gives the U.S. Mint flexibility to produce a cheaper nickel using alternative materials, replacing the copper-nickel alloy the coin has used since 1866.
The math behind the penny’s exit is simple. Each one cost 3.69 cents to make, and production was already suspended in 2025 for that reason. Ending it for good saves the Treasury roughly $56 million a year. For everyday shoppers in Lawton, the bigger shift lands November 1st, when Oklahoma’s rounding law takes effect. Cash payments to state agencies will round to the nearest nickel, joining about 25 other states with similar rules.
The nickel is next in line for changes, and that’s where the debate gets interesting. A cheaper coin sounds like a win, though the savings depend entirely on what the Mint picks as a replacement. Oklahomans will notice the difference first at the tag office and any counter where cash still changes hands everyday.
Do you still keep a change jar at home, or did you stop carrying cash years ago?
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.