The last cents ... absurd prices or ...?
291fifth
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Am I the only one who thinks the prices paid for the last cents were absurd? The wealthy can spend their money on what they want but this?
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Who cares? It's a contrived offering, and enough people with enough money were convinced that these things would hold their value (or better). Or they were wealthy enough not to care, just wanting to own them.
It's orders of magnitude above my pay grade. I don't care, but I don't have any problem with the game.
when zinc prices spike numismatic margins will erode
I’m not collecting non-circulating type from the mint this century. However, depending on the value allocated to the gold piece, I would be tempted at least to buy an omega cent in 65/66 (if graded according to my standard for gem) at a price in the $10-15k range. I’ve seen a figure of $40k quoted for the gold piece. If that holds, the prices for the cents are (at auction) high, but not absurd. Aftermarket will likely be absurd for a while.
Money to burn 🔥
Total meh. For that money I’d rather a high grade, original chain or wreath cent, or choice early gold.
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This is not for me ... others who have purchased are taking a risk and chasing the future increase in value that may be unrealized.
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The mint should never have done this to Lincoln Cent collectors. Many collectors began with Lincoln Cents and still collect them even though they have expanded their interests to other series.
The mint should have offered the zinc, copper plated coins to all collectors who wanted them for might have been considered to be higher than normal prices. Instead the mint cut the mintage back to 232 coins, had PCGS grade them and gave the auction to Stacks-Bowers. The gross receipts mean nothing to the government, which collects and spends money by the billions. The small collectors were totally priced out. Shame on the mint. This entire strategy stank to high heaven. Shame on the mint officials who came up with this. They should be ashamed of themselves, but they probably got a big Christmas bonus.
I hope a few bronze planchets made it into the last batches of cents struck in the 2020s. Wouldn't that be something? An ordinary COLLECTOR finding a 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025 BRONZE?
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I've got 4 rolls of unc. 2022-D and 5 rolls of 2021-D to check for a bronze.
Einstein’s view of God was non-traditional and pantheistic, focusing on the harmony, order, and intelligibility of the cosmos rather than a personal deity. His quotes reveal a profound respect for the universe’s mysteries, a belief in rational laws, and a moral philosophy grounded in compassion and understanding, bridging science and spirituality.
“My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.”
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The prices are impressive.
It is interesting that these were marketed as the last Lincoln cents struck for circulation and yet the zinc Lincolns with the omega were never intended for circulation much less the gold issue. And then comes the news that the mint will issue 1776-2026 Lincoln cents next year for collectors!
Don't forget to check the dime rolls for bronze dimes also.
If you can find any nickel rolls, grab them and look for the gold nickel.
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It's a fair point that Lincoln cent collectors are not big ticket buyers.
It's also true that the Mint in order to create buzz and cultivate and sustain interest must think like a coin collector. No one can deny these special releases are generating buzz and the build up is exciting for those that follow them.
IMO the takeaway is that we are in a golden age of Mint marketing, sales and production of high-end modern collectible coins.
But what was the mint supposed to do? If the mint just struck the normal cents, and had PCGS encapsulate them (like the last type 1 gold eagles in 2021), there wouldn’t really be anything special. The privy was necessary to distinguish these, and I still think the 500 last gold & silver eagle type 1’s sold by stacks in 2021 are absolutely nothing special. These omega cents are appealing in many ways.
@fathom, Lincoln cent collectors are not big ticket buyers? Well I don’t know if that’s true For instance, so far this year I’ve made a few bigger purchases of Lincoln cents. For example:
They are not appealing at all because of the way the government maximized their return them. They began as a contrived rarity and then became objects for the privileged to purchase. I would compare them to the 1933 double eagles the government confiscated and then told collectors that the mint would display them now and then for the plebeians to gaze upon. I don’t recall seeing them of late. Who cares? I don’t, and I’ve been a dedicated collector for 65 years.
Let’s use the $74,500 price tag JMB is selling their sets for as a value for the set. Subtract $40,000 out for the gold cent because JA will buy that one. So $34,500 for the pair of zinc coins ($17,250 each). If the mint struck these and released them in the normal circulation channels like the W quarters, would you be ok buying them from joe 6 pack for the $17,250? I still would strongly consider buying them, but I think the mint was smart protecting the condition of the coins by not putting them into circulation. Who wants a “parking lot” circulated omega cent?
Another thing to consider is the chaos that would’ve ensued if the mint did release these into circulation by the public making a run on banks and businesses buying all the cents to search for them. It would wipe out the availability of the cents very quickly.
How about offering them for sale at the mint, perhaps with a limited mintage of say 200,000 so that all collectors would have a shot at getting one?
I look at the 1856 Flying Eagle. It was a popular coin at the time. The mint continued to make them after 1856. The mintage may have been as high as 2,200 +. Back then most any collector who wanted one to acquire one.
The mint selling a pair of zinc omegas with basically a strike to demand mintage (200,000) for $9.99 isn’t sexy. It doesn’t create the buzz of ending a denomination that I think the mint was looking for.
Are cent collectors really not content with just putting a non privy 2025 P & D in their collection, if they did forego buying an omega set? If these omega coins are absolutely necessary for a complete type set or a complete Lincoln set, I think they are vastly undervalued at $20,000 each.
Will be interesting to see if the registries include the omega cent in circulation strike type sets. I would certainly think not, but if they do, it will have a significant effect on prices, given the zeal of registry fans.
Those are beautiful coins but they aren't $20K each or even $10K or are they $5K? My point is the lofty auction pricing does freeze out the cent collector.
Are there 464 cent collectors that will want omega cents at those auction prices? IMO price durability will depend on these high end, low mintage modern collectors that have appeared lately and hopefully they will stay interested.
Only set at the moment to include the omegas
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-cents/lincoln-cents-major-sets/lincoln-shield-cents-omega-privy-mark-set-circulation-strikes-2025/9606
@fathom, I don’t think that these last cents were produced for the cent collector or the average mint customer. These, IMO, were produced for the corporate market and institutional auction houses, not for the hobbyist. Just another mint gimmick.
In 2026 someone is going to enter the shop with 2025 cents to sell. It will be the year of entertainment.
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To the op's question yes these are absurd and have nothing to do with collectors. These were done to sell to investors, this will not create new collectors, maybe a few additional whale investors but not collectors. Even if I could afford one I would not want one.
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Yes... totally absurd. By October 2025, combined Denver and Philadelphia mintages were around 1.3 billion (645.2M D + 655.2M P). I'll pick up a roll from circulation... and since Lincoln Cents were never struck in gold, I can live without the Omega Cent...
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Stop making cents, that’s what the Mint should do. Make no more Lincoln cents for collectors or anyone else after these Omega issues. If you’re going to say you’re going to stop making pennies—and sell the “last” Lincolns for big bucks—than stop making them!
No doubt that's the consensus that these are high end collectibles for the fortunate few.
I will say the .marketing of these with the gold cent bait was a savvy play to generate a huge buzz and decent profits for a govt agency.
The price was just right. No matter your personal feelings. It was an open auction and they sold well above the open. Just right..
I think SVDB cents sell for more than I would pay for a common variety. But it would be wrong for me to say that they are overpriced for the market.
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The cent is the only U.S. that has been issued every year from 1793 to date with one exception, 1815. The mint made half dollars after that coin ceased to be a circulating coin. It would hurt anyone if a cent is included in Proof and mint sets. The undesirable outcome would be more omega coins. I hope it’s one and done.
When people say "overpriced", they typically seem to mean "more than I would pay."
Interesting statement. My collection would say otherwise:
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✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Matte Proof Toned Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1916)
I agree. But that's why all of this complaining about these coins, whether it's price or availability, comes across as sour grapes.
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I would rather own a PCGS CAC AMERI cent in PCGS 40-45 for what people are willing to pay for this offering.
If you had to venture a guess, what coin will hold the best value in the next 5 years?
And if the answer is the Omega cent, are you going to change your answer?
If the answer is Pokémon cards, would you go that direction?
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As I noted above, I don't really care; this is a game for the very wealthy. Let them have their fun. My Lincoln cent collection is still complete, because I get to define "complete."
I would have no interest in these were I able to afford them.
OTOH, I would have found it charming if the Mint had done something like they did with the W quarters--release enough into circulation so that the price would settle to a level that anyone who really wanted one could buy one.
But, the fact is, the retail arm of tthe Mint is in the business of making money, so this was the obvious way to maximize the profit while minimizing effort.
@Tramp, you’ve posted some very impressive Lincolns. As a beginning collector in the early 60’s, I started out filling my blue Whitman folder with circulation Lincolns, as I’m sure many others did back then. I can appreciate how rare some of these are in higher quality grades. For instance we are on par in rarity and price, when looking for example at the 1926-S in your grade of 64RD and mine in 65RB. Unless you’re a collector of these one wouldn’t know how truly scarce they are. Anyway wanted to say I also appreciate the Lincolns you posted. Zack.
For me it’s an issue of fairness. The cent has long been the entry point for many collectors, including me. These coins should have been made available to any collector at a reasonable price like $20. I would not have bought one, even at that price. That “sour grapes” comment is out of line, at least from me.
I really have a problem with dealers who think that high priced, contrived rarities, like these coins, is cool. It isn’t.
I wonder if, twenty years from now, some of the lower grade pieces that were sold will find their way to the "cheap slabs" boxes at local Sunday shows.
That has to be one of the sharpest and fully struck Lincoln’s I’ve ever seen. What a beauty! Heck…I’d even consider buying that if it was for sale! 😉
1916 Lincolns tend to be nice, though I believe the one pictured is a proof-a very nice, attractive one.
The prices will tank when the mint decides to bring the Lincoln back in a few years or 50.
That is true but not inclusive. How many times have you seen coins that had some hype or buzz associated to them that sell for high prices but can be found in six months or so for less in the secondary market or later auction. Often after the newness or must have appeal has worn off those underbidders disappear. Not saying that will happen with these but it could happen.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
be interesting to see if in a few years a few 2026's pop up ... like the 1913 Liberty Nickel
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Thank you Zack! Nice selection you have too. Your 21-S is stunning; Top POP!
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✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Matte Proof Toned Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1916)
How long before Chinese counterfeits show up?
They're printing the new labels as we speak. Comes in 2 varieties, with a stamped omega mark and a raised mark.
It's not a question of "cool". I'm fine with just not owning this coin. I don't see why i have to own every cent produced. Have the fortitude to ignore all Mint shenanigans. If someone wants these at 75k, fine with me.
It's always the civic between the Mint creating b corrective that don't hold their value or creating manufactured rarities that may (or not). Personally, I think it would be worse if they issued 500,000 of these at $25 each when they are destined to be $5 curiosities.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
That would be irrelevant. These are popular as a scarce variety not because they are truly the last Lincoln. It's a variety of 232 pieces even if they issued 5 billion degrees next year
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Sure. Like when they sold Tom Brady's "last touchdown" football for $518k. He "unretired" the next day, they nullified the auction result, and it resold for $129k. Ouch
Apples to oranges, but if they brought back the cent for circulation again it would most certainly impact the price. Limited mintage or not.
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