The era of the penny is nearing its end: starting early next year, the Treasury Department announced that it will end the production of new pennies, leading to an eventual disappearance of the first-ever coin in the U.

“You can go to your own bank or credit union and not pay any fee,” said Kimberly Palmer, personal finance expert at NerdWallet. Both NerdWallet and Bankrate offer tip sheets on exchanging coins for cash. Most banks will take an account holder's coins for free, Bankrate reports, but not all, and you may need to roll the coins yourself.

After more than 200 years, the U.S. bids adieu to the penny, citing high production costs and shifting economic practices.