As of 2026, the U.S. Mint will stop producing new pennies. While the penny will remain legal tender, many banks have already begun running short, and retailers are starting to feel the impact at the register. To stay ahead of this transition, now is the perfect time to learn how your NCR Counterpoint system will handle rounding — though you should configure it only when you are ready to remove pennies from cash transactions.

💲 What’s Changing

When pennies disappear from circulation, cash transactions will be rounded to the nearest five cents. This rounding applies only to cash payments — credit, debit, gift card, and check payments will still calculate to the exact cent.

⚙️ How to Configure Counterpoint for Rounding

When you are ready to remove pennies from your cash transactions, there are two key areas to review in your setup:

1️⃣ Currency Code

2️⃣ Pay Codes

1️⃣ Configure the Currency Code

Navigation: Setup → System → Currency Codes

Create a new currency code called CASH following this example:

Field	Entry
Currency Code	Type CASH (do not perform a lookup)
Description	Cash (No Pennies)
Exchange Rate	Defaults to 1.0000 = 1.0000 (leave as is)
Currency Rounding Method	Normal (recommended — consult your accountant if unsure)
Currency Round Account	Select your GL account (see tip below)
Gain/Loss Account	Select your GL account (see tip below)

Then:

• Click Add standard units

• Click Yes when prompted

• You will need to delete the Pennies (coins and rolls) by selecting the line and the Delete Line button

• Once done, save your changes

💡 Tip: Consult your accountant for proper Currency Rounding Account and Gain/Loss Account 

💡 Tip: If these accounts don’t exist, you can create them here: Setup → System → Accounts

2️⃣ Adjust Pay Codes for Cash Transactions

Navigation: Setup → System → Pay Codes

Locate your CASH pay code and do the following:

1. On the Main tab, click the unlock icon in the toolbar to enable editing of the Currency Code field.

   • If the field remains locked, your internal Counterpoint administrator may need to perform this step.

2. Set the Currency Code to the new CASH code you created above.

3. Go to the Tender tab and uncheck both boxes:

   • Allow tender below minimum currency

   • Allow change/refund below minimum currency

4. Save your changes.

💡 Note: If you have multiple stores with unique CASH pay codes, repeat these steps for each location.

3️⃣ Test and Train Your Team

Once rounding is enabled:

• Run a few test cash transactions to confirm rounding is working correctly.

• Train cashiers to explain the change, noting that totals may round slightly up or down depending on the purchase amount.

4️⃣ Keep Customers Informed

Consider posting a sign near the register to let customers know:

“Due to the U.S. Mint’s discontinuation of new pennies, cash transactions are rounded to the nearest five cents.”

Transparency helps maintain customer trust and prevent confusion during checkout.

✅ Stay Ahead of the Change

Although this shift won’t officially occur until 2026, banks and retailers are already feeling the effects. When you are ready to remove pennies from your sales transactions, configuring Counterpoint will ensure your store is prepared for smooth transactions and accurate accounting.