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[–] 11 points 1 year ago (3 children)

It still exists and can still be used. They're just not making more of them.

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  • [–] 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    You're missing the point because they didn't use precise language

    Congress establishes what coins and bills are to be minted. The executive branch executes that directive. Congress has directed the executive branch to mint pennies. The executive branch determined 0 is a number of pennies to mint. The Mint is not minting pennies, despite congress directing them to do so

    If the president is allowed to interpret laws congress passes so broadly, it gives an incredible amount of power to the executive branch. Historically, the president hasn't been given nearly that level of authority

    It's illegal because congress said to mint pennies, but the executive branch is not minting pennies

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    The mint doesn't continuously produce all coins at all times. They produce them in response to coinage needs.

    Most people are using bills or digital payments, so coinage is down across the board. Inflation means the penny is worth so much less that it's infrequently used, so there's no point in minting new ones right now. If there is a need, they'll start minting again.

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