The Last Pennies Ever Minted Become a $16.76 Million Collector Phenomenon
The last pennies ever minted have officially entered history — and the world of high-value collectibles. On December 11, a total of 696 one-cent coins realized an astonishing $16.76 million at auction with Stack’s Bowers Galleries, marking the end of a 232-year era in American coinage.
Struck in November 2025 at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia and Denver, these final pennies were produced shortly before the suspension of circulating one-cent coins, following a federal decision to halt production as a cost-cutting measure.
A Historic Finale for America’s Oldest Coin
Introduced in 1793, the penny has been a fixture of American commerce for more than two centuries. To commemorate its conclusion, the U.S. Mint issued special three-coin sets, each containing:
- A 2025 penny from the Philadelphia Mint
- A 2025-D penny from the Denver Mint
- A 24-karat gold 2025 “Omega” penny, symbolizing the final chapter of production
Each coin bears a discreet Omega symbol, the last letter of the Greek alphabet, representing the end of the penny’s long legacy.
Record-Breaking Auction Results
The auction drew unprecedented interest from collectors worldwide. The first lot sold for $200,000, immediately setting a high benchmark. The final lot — Set #232 — which included the very last circulating pennies intended for issuance plus the gold Omega penny, achieved a record $800,000, making it the most valuable modern U.S. numismatic item ever sold.
In total:
- Average price per set exceeded $72,000
- 17 sets sold for more than $100,000
- Total gold melt value was only ~$210,000, highlighting collector-driven demand
The sale became the highest-value auction of special coins ever conducted on behalf of the U.S. Mint.
Why Collectors Paid a Premium
Beyond intrinsic value, the appeal lies in symbolism. These coins represent the closing of a chapter in American monetary history — a tangible artifact marking a shift toward a cash-light future.
According to Stack’s Bowers president Brian Kendrella, the auction captured the public imagination like few numismatic events before it, even among seasoned experts accustomed to handling historic rarities.
The Penny’s Legacy Lives On
While no new pennies will be minted, existing coins will remain legal tender and continue circulating until gradually phased out through everyday use. For collectors, however, the last pennies ever minted are now permanently enshrined as rare, museum-grade artifacts of American history.
In a world increasingly driven by digital currency, these humble one-cent coins have proven that history — even at its smallest denomination — can command extraordinary value.