7 Ways Utahns Can Use Their Penny Collections Now Minting Has Stopped

What Should Utahns Do With Their Pennies Now That Minting Has Ended?

The U.S. Mint has officially stopped producing pennies, and while that doesn’t mean they’re disappearing overnight, it does mean the humble one‑cent coin just got promoted from “annoying pocket debris” to “minor historical artifact.”

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And Utahns — being resourceful, thrifty, and slightly sentimental people — we are uniquely positioned to make the most of this moment.

Here’s are a few ideas about what to do with your pennies before they become the next thing you regret tossing.

1. First: Check for the Valuable Ones

This MSN article emphasizes that some pennies are worth more than a penny.

Look for:

• Pre‑1982 pennies (higher copper content, often worth 2–3 cents in metal value)
• Rare minting errors
• Low‑mintage years

This is basically the numismatic version of finding an arrowhead on a hike.

2. Cash Them In Before They Become a Burden

Banks will still accept pennies, but over time, fewer businesses will want to deal with them.

If you’ve got jars, jugs, or that one five‑gallon bucket in the garage you swear you’ll sort “someday,” this might be the moment. Coin‑counting machines may start phasing them out, and you don’t want to be the person trying to offload 17 pounds of copper‑zinc nostalgia in 2030.

3. Keep a Small Stash for Sentimental or Practical Use

Pennies may be discontinued, but they’re not illegal. Utahns are sentimental in a practical way — we keep things “just in case,” but we also don’t hoard unless it’s food storage. A small penny stash hits the sweet spot.

4. Turn Them Into Art, Décor, or DIY Projects

This is where Utah creativity shines. You've some creative uses for pennies before, keychains, jewelry, a think I remember a floor paved in pennies. And yes, you should be the first one to build a penny‑tiled backsplash and post it on Instagram with the caption “copper is the new granite.”

5. Donate Them — They Still Add Up

Schools, shelters, and local charities often run coin drives. A jar of pennies may feel insignificant, but collectively, they can fund real needs.

Utah is consistently ranked one of the most charitable states in the country — this is an easy way to keep that streak alive.

6. Hold Onto a Few as Future Collectibles

Even common pennies may gain value once they’re no longer circulating. Not “retire early” value, but “fun to show your grandkids” value.

Think of it like keeping a Blockbuster card or a Deseret Industries price tag from the 90s — a tiny piece of Americana that becomes more charming with time.

7. Use Them as a Moment to Consider Change (Literal and Figurative)

Pennies disappearing is a small reminder that the world keeps shifting — currency, technology, habits, everything. Utahns are good at adapting. We’ve been doing it since the pioneers realized the Great Salt Lake was not, in fact, a great place to fish. Use this change in change to remind you that few things are permanent.