I think they’ll stop circulating pretty quickly based on Canada’s experience. Banks will still accept them just like they do other obsolete coinage. I guess the pulled cents will be melted but I don’t recall seeing specifically what the U.S. plans to do with the billions of cents that get sent their way by banks once withdrawn from circulation.
So is this the route the pennies will take? Customers return them to the bank, the bank returns them to the government, they in turn melt them? And those holding onto theirs will just remain trapped in jars and drums...
Also, to all those cashiers out there, what will that cash register drawer cent space be used for now? Paperclips?
Shift everything one space to the left and make room for dollar coins.
Sean Reynolds
Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
By my count, there are 55 coins in a complete set of Lincoln Shield cents (2010-2025). Fifteen of them have mintages under one million.
The lowest mintage is the 2017-S Enhanced Uncirculated at 210,419, from the 225th Anniversary set, and it is available on eBay for about $15. That's less than half the mintage of the 1909-S VDB, which sells for about $750 in VG.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12, 2025 — The United States Mint (Mint) hosted a ceremonial strike event today at its Philadelphia facility where United States Treasurer Brandon Beach struck the final, circulating one-cent coin (penny). The event marks the official end of the penny’s 232-year production run as a circulating coin.
and
The Mint will continue to produce numismatic versions of the penny in limited quantities for historical and collector purposes.
-----Burton ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus") Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
@JBK said:
It would be nice if they went back to bronze for future collector versions.
Personally, they should no longer be made. The era is over, no need to drag it on. That said, if they insist on making them for the proof sets and such, I agree with making them out of bronze. Make the Cent Great Again!
Comments
Here's my one and only keepsake.
Notice the flag-less First Strike label,
Shift everything one space to the left and make room for dollar coins.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
I saw a video that showed the last 5 cents struck on a tray, looks like they are going to be kept for some purpose.
It also appeared the director held them face on between two fingers, so grade is probably around 64.
Coin Photography
No delete button for my post
if it wasn't dipped already, what's the chances it's ruined already?
Oh, look at the fingerprints.
I wonder how that happened.
it will be easy to identify the committer of the crime
More like committers. 😎
how did those flowing hair gold survive?
Mint said there gonna auction off the last 2 cents made. I wonder what kinda crazy money that will bring?
I expect these to be auctioned at Stacks in a few months. Will be an amazing event.
My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set
Wonder if the die (s) will be sold. Cancelled of course. Probably go for a "pretty penny".
I think that operator in the background has his eye on the cent.😀
By my count, there are 55 coins in a complete set of Lincoln Shield cents (2010-2025). Fifteen of them have mintages under one million.
The lowest mintage is the 2017-S Enhanced Uncirculated at 210,419, from the 225th Anniversary set, and it is available on eBay for about $15. That's less than half the mintage of the 1909-S VDB, which sells for about $750 in VG.
Farewell, one cent, it’s been a good run!
Was there no one there that would recommend gloves? I hate fingerprintz....grrrrrrrrrr
Couldn't they have invited one of us there to remind them not to put their fingerprints on a last-strike that they plan to auction?
Gives a whole new meaning to “mint mark”… 🙃
When you know, you know.
Would of been interesting if the last cent was of the error type. Double struck,off center etc.
I'll bet he has the real "last cent" tucked away.
My mind wanders and it's not good.......
This should make some of the cent mint error more collectible because no more new cent mint error to show up.
When will the last cent be minted?
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
The US mint has always had their profits and bottom line in mind and this will be no different with likely seven figure auction results.
BTW, these are not the last, just the last circulation strikes. Read the mint's presser:
https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/united-states-mint-hosts-historic-ceremonial-strike-for-final-production-of-the-circulating-one-cent-coin
and
ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
It would be nice if they went back to bronze for future collector versions.
Or brought back large cents
And what would that cost the gov't to make?!? 🤣 😉
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Numismatic products that make money and not for circulation.
Personally, they should no longer be made. The era is over, no need to drag it on. That said, if they insist on making them for the proof sets and such, I agree with making them out of bronze. Make the Cent Great Again!
They make lots of "business strikes" of coins for collectors that are not minted for circulation.
The cent is technically still in circulation. The mint just won't be striking any new ones for circulation.
Kinda cool.........................
Swektsky.com Link