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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93 Comments
hunezoworelu3 monthsomg
emmaanna3 monthsOH MY GOSH
opkid0163 months#Sad
ilovehenrydsaf3 monthsBoy, I'm already hoarding first-edition Pokemon cards, now I get to hoard pennies and sell em for a heckton in 70 years?
chocolaterose753 monthsI better start saving mine! Imagine how much they would cost 100 years from now
fanny-brotha3 monthsThey would cost 1€
i_love_god3 monthsOh man these were a part of our history. I can't believe they're getting rid of something that we all needed!- fanny-brotha3 monthsWe did not need them
- mt1234567895 dayswe definitely will survive without pennies, but its still kinda sad, they're part of our history.
- best_of_friends3 monthsSad times, hopefully they still will continue to make other coins!
lacyworldw1de3 monthsI'm so glad that I saved mine, but I'm going to miss them 😢
gimkitlover3 months#HoardPennies- zyvokugehawy3 monthsI have like really old pennies so i wonder how much they worth my oldest is 1823
- ilovehenrydsaf3 monthsOh wow
freerangekid3 monthsoh my gosh as soon as I heard that I started saving pennies!
