No Longer Making Cents: The Last US Penny Has Been Minted
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On November 12, 2025, the United States (US) Mint made its final penny at the Philadelphia facility, ending more than 230 years of production. This landmark moment closed an era that began with the first cent in 1793 and continued through the Lincoln cent in use today. The decision to halt production was driven primarily by cost. By 2024, each penny cost nearly four cents to make. This resulted in substantial annual losses for the Mint.
"Given the rapid modernization of the American wallet, the Department of the Treasury and President Trump no longer believe the continued production of the penny is fiscally responsible or necessary to meet the demands of the American public," explained US Treasurer, Brandon Beach.
The final pennies were stamped with an "Omega" symbol. As the last letter of the Greek alphabet, it signifies the end of production. Just 232 sets of "Omega" pennies were made — one for each year since production began in 1793. Each set includes a penny from both the Denver and Philadelphia Mints, along with a 24-karat gold penny. The final set also contains the canceled molds that were used to make these pennies. These sets will be auctioned on December 11, 2025. Each set is expected to sell for between $2 million and $5 million.
When first introduced, the penny was about the size of a modern quarter. It could buy everyday items like a loaf of bread. While that is no longer the case, some old pennies have become extremely valuable. For example, a handful of 1943 Lincoln cents, accidentally made of copper instead of steel, now sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Although new pennies will no longer be made, the coin’s legacy is firmly rooted in American life. From lucky pennies found on the street to phrases like "a penny saved is a penny earned," will live on in the nation's culture.
Also, the end of minting does not mean the penny will disappear. With more than 300 billion still in circulation — over a thousand for every American — it will continue to be used for many years to come!
Resources: Popsci.com, ABCnews.com, USmint.gov
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55 Comments
colebutternut15 daysThat is so cool i like pennys
einxpircerules15 days#SALUTE PENNIES- einxpircerules15 daysPennies will turn into gold in like..... 50 years
- smartreader10 daysyeah I have 5 pennies on me I will keep them
can123416 dayseverything will end in fives know- einxpircerules16 daysI have a 1948 sliver penny
- trustme1316 daysI have a og penny from 1943
- mesewyzofydu16 daysI wonder if pennies will become expensive but I don't think it will happen because dollar coins are worth a dollar still
doggiechristmas15 daysWell the worth of the penny may go up, as you said. Just because the worth of the dollar will stay the same, does not restrict the worth of a penny from going up. It very well might go up years and years from now, when they become more rare. So, for example, in 2100, a penny may be worth more than $00.01. It wouldn't surprise me; I'd say it's quite likely.
momoko17 daysI have a 2025 penny- ggbox17 daysi have a rare 1970 penny!
- wyleselo-17564189889216 daysI have a 1953 penny
hpwizkid17 daysmy grandmother has a bucket full of pennies. I wonder if they are worth anything.
