Common Cents Act

This bill would stop making pennies for everyday use and keep them legal to spend. It would also require cash purchases to be rounded up or down to the nearest five cents. The nickel could be made with a zinc core and nickel outer layer to cut costs, and its weight could be adjusted within a small range. Pennies could still be made for collectors.

Key points

• Who is affected: People and businesses using cash; the U.S. Mint/Treasury.
• What changes: Treasury must stop minting pennies for general circulation; all existing pennies remain legal to use; cash totals must be rounded to the nearest five cents; the nickel’s materials and weight can be adjusted to save money.
• When: Once this becomes law, minting of new pennies for circulation would stop; older pennies stay legal tender.