The U.S. Mint closed a remarkable chapter of American history on November 12, 2025, when officials in Philadelphia struck the final circulating Lincoln cents. The ceremonial event ended a 232-year production run that began in 1793 and leaves behind one of the most widely collected coin series in the world.
Five final cents, a secret mint mark, and a coming auction that could shatter records. The end of the penny is just the beginning.
A Final Strike That Ends America’s Longest-Running Coin
U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach stepped to the press at the Philadelphia Mint to strike the last five circulating cents. Each coin bears a small omega symbol, marking its place as one of the final business-strike cents ever made. None of these pieces will enter circulation; instead, they will headline a special federal auction later this year.
Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally marked the moment with a nod to the coin’s significance:
“Today the Mint celebrates 232 years of penny manufacturing. While general production concludes today, the penny’s legacy lives on.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had planned to attend but canceled due to travel delays, though his absence didn’t diminish the event’s weight or symbolism.
Why the Penny Was Finally Retired
The move followed a presidential order. In February 2025, President Donald Trump directed the Treasury to halt production, denouncing the “one-cent piece” as “wasteful.”
- The economics became impossible
- Cost to make one penny: 3.69 cents
- Cost 10 years prior: 1.42 cents
- Face value: 1 cent
Treasury deemed the continuation of one cent production “financially untenable.”
Commerce no longer needs cents
Consumers increasingly rely on digital payments, and the need for low-denomination coins has sharply declined. Treasury estimates that 300 billion cents remain in circulation, far beyond any practical need.
With its decision, the U.S. joins countries like Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand in eliminating their lowest-value coins and adopting cash-rounding rules.
Production Quietly Ended Months Earlier
While the final-strike ceremony offered a symbolic closure, the Mint had already stopped producing circulating business strike cents months before. Reportedly, the mint has produced a limited number of omega-marked business-strike cents specifically for an end-of-series auction.
These are not proofs or collector-finish coins, they are genuine business-strike examples, making them central to the narrative of the series’ conclusion.
How Many Final Cents Exist? Confirmed vs. Unconfirmed
The Mint has explicitly confirmed the ceremonial striking of five final one-cent pieces on November 12th, 2025.
However, Reuters reporting introduced additional, but unverified, claims:
- Reuters Andrea Shalal said the claims came from “a source familiar with the matter”.
- That the Mint struck 232 omega-marked cents, one for each year of cent production, plus three additional display examples.
- That the Mint also struck 235 gold “cents” for presentation or auction.
Mint leadership did not address these claims during the ceremony, and CoinWeek has been unable to independently verify them. Collectors should treat these numbers with caution until official auction documentation is released.
Historic Auction Expected to Ignite the Market
Despite the uncertainty, experts across the hobby expect an explosive auction. High-end estimates: $2–$5 million.
John Feigenbaum, publisher of Greysheet and executive director of the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), told USA Today:
“Collectors would go nuts for a modern rarity of business-strike Lincoln cents. The item would be a required element of a truly complete set.”
Feigenbaum believes the finest examples could fetch $2 million to $5 million each.
Conservative estimates: Up to $1 million
Veteran dealer Mike Fuljenz, president of Universal Coin & Bullion, projects:
- Final one-cent piece struck: up to $1,000,000
- Second-to-last: around $20,000
- Third-to-last: around $10,000
Fuljenz warned that collectors will need airtight pedigree documentation:
“Buyers should immediately have these coins authenticated and graded by CAC Grading, NGC, or PCGS.” according to the same USA Today Article.
Mint’s internal projection
McNally offered her own estimate: around $100,000 for the top examples.
All auction proceeds will benefit Mint operations, with surplus funds going to the Treasury.
Ending Penny Production Saves Millions
Treasury officials say canceling one-cent production will save the Mint $56 million per year. Retailers have begun adjusting prices and preparing for cash-rounding, while electronic payments remain accurate to the cent.
Public response has ranged from nostalgia to acceptance. American University economist Gabriel Mathy told Reuters:
“Sad to see the penny go, but it was inevitable given rising costs. The iconic coin will stick around for a while, though people may start hoarding pennies.”
The Penny’s 232-Year Legacy
Born in 1793, the one-cent coin has been a through-line in U.S. coinage, evolving through multiple designs:
- 1793–1857: Large Cents
- 1859–1909: Indian Head Cents
- 1909–2025: Lincoln Cents
Since 1909, Abraham Lincoln’s profile has graced the obverse, making the cent the longest-running design in American coinage.
What Collectors Should Expect Next
The end of the Lincoln cent series is already reshaping collector behavior.
Expect renewed demand for:
- High-grade early Lincoln cents
- Classic key dates like the 1909-S VDB and 1914-D
- Wartime and composition rarities
- Modern low-mintage issues
- Certified rolls and bags
Collector-issue cents will continue and the Mint will still produce cents for:
- Proof sets
- Uncirculated sets
- Limited-edition numismatic releases
The coin’s design will continue as a collector staple, even as no buiness strikes will be made and its role in commerce starts to wind down and eventually ends.
Conclusion: The Cent Begins a New Chapter
The final striking of the circulating one-cent coins marks the end of a fixture of everyday American life, but also the beginning of one of the most fascinating modern chapters in U.S. numismatics. The omega-marked final cents are poised to become some of the most coveted contemporary coins ever produced, and their story will continue to evolve as details of the December auction emerge. Stay tuned for more CoinWeek coverage of the upcoming auctions and the numbers of coins actually involved.
The one-cent piece may be leaving the Mint’s presses, but it is not leaving the hearts, or the collections, of America’s coin enthusiasts.
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