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To amend title 31 to permit an alternative composition of the 5-cent coin and to eliminate the one-cent coin, and for other purposes.
Summary
The MINT Act of 2025 amends federal law regarding U.S. coin specifications and production. The bill permits the 5-cent coin (nickel) to be produced with an alternative composition consisting of a zinc inner layer and nickel outer layer, with a weight between 4 and 6 grams, if testing demonstrates this composition reduces production costs. The bill eliminates the production of one-cent coins (pennies) for general circulation, though the Treasury may continue producing pennies for sale as numismatic collectible items. All previously minted one-cent coins issued before the law's enactment remain legal tender. The changes are intended to modernize coin production and reduce costs while maintaining the legal status of existing coins in circulation.
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Sponsor (1)
Actions (2)
- Jul 16, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. · house
- Jul 16, 2025 Introduced in House
Similar bills (6)
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Text versions (1)
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Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 16, 2025
Mr. Lucas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
A BILL
To amend title 31 to permit an alternative composition of the 5-cent coin and to eliminate the one-cent coin, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Modernize and Improve our National Tender Act of 2025” or the “MINT Act of 2025”.
SEC. 2. SPECIFICATIONS OF 5-CENT COINS AND ELIMINATION OF ONE-CENT COINS.
Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking “weighs 5 grams.” and inserting the following: “weighs—
“(A) 5 grams, with respect to such coin that is an alloy of copper and nickel; or
“(B) between 4 and 6 grams, with respect to such coin as described in subsection (c).”; and
(B) in paragraph (6)—
(i) by striking “except as provided under subsection (c) of this section,”; and
(ii) by striking “weighs 3.11 grams”;
(2) in subsection (b)—
(A) in the sixth sentence—
(i) by inserting “either” before “an alloy”; and
(ii) by inserting “or a composition described in subsection (c)” before the period;
(B) by inserting “with respect to such coins that are an alloy of copper and nickel” after “nickel required”; and
(C) by striking “Except” through “zinc” and inserting “The one-cent coin is composed of copper and zinc”;
(3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
“(c) 5-Cent Coin.—
“(1) In general.—The 5-cent coin may be a coin with an inner layer of zinc and an outer layer of nickel.
“(2) Composition.—The Secretary may prescribe the composition of zinc and nickel in the 5-cent coin, subject to testing and evaluation that such composition reduces the cost incurred to produce such coin.”; and
(4) by adding at the end the following: “(bb) Elimination of One-Cent Coin.—
“(1) In general.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall cease production of one-cent coins, but may continue to produce and issue one-cent coins for sale as numismatic items.
“(2) No effect on legal tender.—Any one-cent coin that is minted and issued on any date before the date of the enactment of this subsection shall remain legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues.”. <all>
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