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Massie Warns of Roman-Style Currency Debasement as Lawmakers Advance Common Cents Act to Cut Mint Losses
Congress is quietly preparing to eliminate the penny and debase the nickel as the American dollar plummets.
The House of Representatives will consider the Common Cents Act this week. The bill codifies the end of penny production and allows the U.S. Mint to manufacture nickels using cheaper, nickel-plated zinc.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) highlighted the historical parallels of the currency manipulation.
“To fund an overextended empire, Roman emperors debased their coins by diluting the precious metal content,” Massie wrote. “This week, Congress will vote to eliminate the PENNY, which was already mostly zinc since 1982. The same bill will allow the U.S. Mint to make NICKELS with cheaper metal.”
According to Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), the U.S. Mint spends $3.69 to produce a single penny. In 2024, the government lost over $85 million minting pennies.
The nickel also operates at a deficit, costing nearly 14 cents to produce.
The Common Cents Act formally authorizes the Treasury Department’s November 2025 executive action halting penny production.
