Money WondersPlay

Money & Its HistoryCoins

The Four-Cent Penny

Making a cent cost the US Mint almost four, so in 2025 it stopped

For years, the US government lost money every time it made money. How can a coin cost more than it's worth?

You'll find out

  • What a penny really cost to make
  • Which coins still turn a profit
  • The day the last penny was struck

Why it matters

A coin's face value and its cost are two different things, and the gap decides which money survives.

About 3 min6 interactive slides · 5 questionsLesson 4 · Zone 1

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  4. 5History of MoneyFrom Shells to CoinsCowrie shells, silver lumps and the first stamped coins
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