Business Senate passes bill that could change nickels and how you pay with cash By Addy Bink, (NEXSTAR) – The U.S. is inching closer to ditching its penny and potentially replacing its nickel following the Senate’s passing of the “Common Cents Act” this weekend. The Senate passed the bill, a version of which already passed the House, with unanimous consent on Friday. Broadly speaking, it tackles three aspects of our currency. The Common Cents Act formally calls for the end of penny production. If you’ve been following the drawn-out death of the penny, you know the U.S. minted its final one-cent coin for circulation last year (collectible pennies for America’s 250th anniversary were released earlier this year). They remain legal tender, even if retailers have none to give you as change when you pay with cash, and the Federal Reserve would have to limit “disruptions in penny supply.” The bill would also address some of the difficulties of paying with cash that have materialized since the end of penny production. Under the Common Cents Act, businesses would be allowed the option to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel. A $19.82 purchase becomes $19.80 while $19.83 becomes $19.85, for example. As simple as it sounds, some states and localities have laws prohibiting the practice. Advocates believe the Common Cents Act could iron out that confusion. When does daylight saving time end in 2026? As early as possible Pennies would remain legal tender under the bill as well. It’s estimated that more than 300 billion pennies are out in the world – more than 800 pennies, or $8 worth, per U.S. citizen – trapped wherever a little Lincoln can hide. The penny isn’t the only focus of the legislation. The nickel could also change if the Common Cents Act becomes law. The nickel, like the penny, is expensive to produce. It cost 13.31 cents to produce a single nickel