The MINT Act of 2025 would change federal coinage law in two main ways. First, it would authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to alter the composition of the 5-cent coin, allowing a zinc-and-nickel design if testing shows it reduces production costs. Second, it would end production of the one-cent coin, while preserving the legal-tender status of pennies already minted. Existing pennies could still be used for debts, public charges, taxes, and dues, and the Treasury could continue selling newly minted pennies as numismatic items.
The bill amends Section 5112 of title 31 of the U.S. Code, which governs the specifications and production of U.S. coins. It would remove the current statutory requirement tied to the one-cent coin’s production and revise the 5-cent coin specification to permit an alternative composition. In practical terms, the measure would affect the U.S. Mint, coin manufacturing standards, and the circulation of low-denomination currency, but it would not invalidate any pennies already in circulation.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would directly revise federal coinage statutes in title 31 and give the Treasury Department more flexibility over nickel composition while mandating an end to penny production. The U.S. Mint would need to stop striking one-cent coins for circulation, though it could continue producing them for collectors. The bill would also preserve the legal-tender status of existing pennies, so state and local governments, businesses, and consumers would still be able to use them in transactions unless other laws or private policies say otherwise.
Sentiment
There is little recorded committee or floor sentiment available in the provided materials because the bill was only referred to the House Committee on Financial Services and no votes or transcripts are included. Based on the bill’s structure, it appears aimed at cost reduction and modernization of coinage, which are common arguments in favor of eliminating the penny and adjusting coin composition. The absence of recorded debate means no formal support or opposition is documented here.
Contention
The likely points of contention are the elimination of the one-cent coin and the change in 5-cent coin composition. Supporters would likely emphasize reduced minting costs, efficiency, and modernization, while opponents may raise concerns about rounding effects, consumer pricing, cash transactions, and the symbolic or practical value of the penny. Another possible issue is whether a new nickel composition would be durable and cost-effective enough to justify the change, since the bill conditions that authority on testing and evaluation.