Oklahomans Can Still Profit From Penny Pinching Despite No More Penny Production

We all know that the last day of production of the penny was officially announced earlier this month on November 12, 2025. The coin will officially be retired in 2026 and coins that are lost or damaged will not be replaced. For now, many stores, banks, and even change machines are still accepting pennies.

During the holiday season, every penny counts - literally. If you're needing extra spending money or cash towards your next electric bill, exchanging coins in a change machine can take care of the issue quickly.

But could it be worth holding on to the pennies we have now, hoping they'll be worth even more later on down the road?

Stores and banks in Oklahoma still using pennies, but eventually, we will see changes.

Although penny production stopped, stores haven't stopped using them for making change. But, once the coin is retired, stores will likely start to phase the coin out. Eventually, kiosks and coin machines will likely stop accepting the coins in the future.

If I hold onto my pennies, when will they be profitable?

Unfortunately, even if you hold on to your pennies for fifty years from now, there's likely no value for them later on. Pennies today cost nearly four times their face value just to make them; however, pennies made before or up to 1982 are mostly copper and could be worth more than their face value.

So, do some penny hunting, and keep the old ones!

READ MORE: 7 Thanksgiving Shopping Items You're Likely To Forget 

Where can I take my coins to be exchanged for cash?

Here in Lawton, several banks have their own change machines that are still accepting pennies. Bear in mind that, when using a change machine, they will take a certain percentage of the change for a fee before giving the rest back in cash.

If you want to avoid a fee, try rolling your own coins and bring them to your bank. Most banks will accept the coins from their customers without a fee, but will charge folks who are not customers, according to U.S. News.

Banks aren't the only places that are still accepting pennies to be exchanged. Check out the full list below.