The Penny Problem

Vending machines and gumball machines no longer accept pennies, yet they remain a costly drag on the economy due to the time spent handling them. Despite attempts to eliminate the penny through legislation, apathy in Congress and the influence of the zinc lobby have stalled progress. Transitioning away from the penny could be simple, involving a rounding system that balances transactions, but the reality is that pennies will likely linger in circulation for the foreseeable future.