Will the 1p and 2p coins be scrapped in 2026? What we know so far

A flurry of rumours says the humble 1p and 2p could disappear by 2026, wiping the copper from our pockets and the clink from charity tins. That sparks a simple, practical worry: will your small change still be welcome, or will Britain quietly switch to 5p rounding at the till?

A couple at the counter whispered about 2026 and whether their piggy bank would soon be museum stock. Across the street, a charity shop volunteer rolled her eyes as a customer emptied a handful of 1ps onto the counter, apologising as though they were confetti.

Cash is not gone, but it lives differently now. Tucked in sock drawers. Stacked by car handbrakes. Counted mainly by kids and buskers. It’s the tiny, tactile proof that money is still real. So, is 2026 the year copper calls it a day?

Where the copper coin debate stands now

Let’s start with what’s actually on record. The government has repeatedly said there are no current plans to scrap the 1p or 2p, even after a 2018 review raised the question. The Royal Mint’s new King Charles III coin designs include both denominations, which is a signal in itself. There is no confirmed plan to scrap 1p and 2p coins in 2026.

Usage is sliding, though. Treasury figures once suggested most 1p and 2p coins get used just once before vanishing into jars, sofas or pockets. Many of us recognise that. A newsagent in Leeds told me she gets more coppers from school charity drives than from tills. Ireland already rounds cash totals to the nearest 5 cents, and everyday life carried on.

So here’s the logic thread. If the UK ever phases out copper, it won’t be overnight. There would be a consultation, a clear timetable, and a long exchange window at banks and Post Offices. Prices wouldn’t suddenly jump; cash totals would round to the nearest 5p, while card and digital payments stay exact. Retailers would update point-of-sale systems, and we’d all empty the jar at last.

Rounding in real life — and what to do before 2026

If 1p and 2p leave tills, the rule of thumb is simple. You’d pay the exact price by card, as usual. Paying in cash, the final bill — not each item — would round: 1–2p down, 3–4p up; 6–7p down, 8–9p up, with 5p and 0p unchanged. Card and digital prices would not change.

What should you do now? Keep a small pouch for copper at home and clear it monthly. Feed coin machines or take jars to charity counters, where they love sorted bags. We’ve all had that moment when the barista line grows and you’re counting pennies with hot cheeks. Let’s be honest: nobody counts their copper every night.

“I don’t think people will miss coppers in the queue,” a supermarket self-checkout host told me. “They’ll miss the feeling of exact change, but not the faff.”

• If copper goes, expect clear in-store signs about rounding on cash totals.
• Banks and Post Offices typically run exchange or deposit options for withdrawn coins.
• Charities may launch “last copper” drives to turn jars into real support.
• Vending, parking and ticket machines would reset to 5p steps.
• Online prices and direct debits carry on exactly as now.

What 2026 could look like, minus the drama

Picture a quiet shift rather than a shock. You tap for a sandwich and pay £3.12, precisely, on your phone. Your friend pays cash and the till rounds it to £3.10. Both of you shrug and eat. Shop price tags still end in .99, because psychology, not copper, writes those endings. Banks keep taking jars for a long window. Charities run a copper amnesty with playful posters. Older shoppers who prefer cash get clear, calm explainers. And yes, collectors keep a few shiny pennies with the King’s profile. The small coins still carry a big emotional charge.

FAQ :

• Will the UK scrap 1p and 2p coins in 2026?There’s no confirmed decision to do so. The coins remain in circulation and feature in the new King Charles III series.
• Are 1p and 2p still legal tender?Yes. Shops choose what they accept, but the coins are still legal tender within the technical rules for settling debts.
• If copper goes, will shops hike prices?Rounding applies to the final cash total, not price tags. Card and digital payments remain exact, so the price you see is the price you pay.
• What should I do with my jar of coppers?Bank them, feed a coin machine, or donate to charity. If a withdrawal is announced, banks and Post Offices typically offer exchange or deposit windows.
• Will collectors’ 1p and 2p become valuable?Only rare dates, errors or uncirculated coins tend to gain value. Everyday coppers are sentimental, not a windfall.