Making cents out of this penny shortage

By: Niki Kelly

Outlets: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Published: February 20, 2026

Words: 557

Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

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Never before have I been so grateful for this little thing called a penny.

Indiana lawmakers aren’t the only ones wrestling with an unexpected penny shortage. So are consumers, and we don’t want to pad big companies’ bottom lines with our cents.

The U.S. Mint struck its final non-ceremonial penny in November, ending a 232-year run. President Donald Trump cited the penny’s high production cost in directing the stoppage.

But no one expected …

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