No Longer Making Cents: The Last US Penny Has Been Minted
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
Alignment
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
Get the Workbook for this article!
Workbook contains: Article, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking Questions, Vocabulary in Context (+ answers), Multiple Choice Quiz (+ answers), Parts of Speech Quiz (+ answers), Vocabulary Game (+ answers)Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
41 Comments
emmaanna2 daysOH MY GOSH
opkid0163 days#Sad
ilovehenrydsaf3 daysBoy, I'm already hoarding first-edition Pokemon cards, now I get to hoard pennies and sell em for a heckton in 70 years?
chocolaterose753 daysI better start saving mine! Imagine how much they would cost 100 years from now
fanny-brotha1 dayThey would cost 1€
i_love_god3 daysOh man these were a part of our history. I can't believe they're getting rid of something that we all needed!- fanny-brotha1 dayWe did not need them
- best_of_friends1 daySad times, hopefully they still will continue to make other coins!
lacyworldw1de3 daysI'm so glad that I saved mine, but I'm going to miss them 😢
gimkitlover3 days#HoardPennies- zyvokugehawy3 daysI have like really old pennies so i wonder how much they worth my oldest is 1823
- ryfiguzysihu2 daysI have like millions of pennies and coins, but my oldest pennies are from 1793, 1809, 1818, and 1899.
- best_of_friends1 daynice
- ilovehenrydsaf3 daysOh wow
bookworm_fr_133 daysI guess I'll start saving up pennies and sell them for really expensive- ryfiguzysihu3 daysSAVE YOUR PENNIES THEY MAYBE WORTH SOMETHING ONE DAY!!!!!!!
- best_of_friends1 dayGood idea