Treasury Penny Production Ends for Good: Coin Expert Weighs in on the Impacts

Reports of penny production ending were proven true on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, as the last five circulating Lincoln cents were struck by U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach. 

The announcement confirmed the end of an era that had been debated for more than a decade, marking the official halt of penny production for everyday commerce. 

With rising costs, shifting consumer habits, and the declining usefulness of the coin, the decision signals a major transition in how Americans think about small-denomination currency.

Chances are high that you likely have an assortment of pennies lying around, but did you know that your stash could contain a highly valuable penny? 

With the recent discontinuation of penny production, now is the perfect time to sort through your collection and have any potentially valuable pennies appraised. 

Coinfully offers free appraisals and top-market offers for valuable coins. Selling coins online has never been easier or more profitable. Get your appraisal today. 

U.S. Penny Production Is Officially Over 

While pennies stopped being manufactured for daily spending months ago, the formal end to production was marked on November 12, 2025, when the final five Lincoln cents were struck. 

This symbolic event confirmed that the U.S. Mint will no longer produce pennies for general circulation, making it an official milestone after years of speculation around the elimination of the one-cent coin.

Is the Penny Discontinued?

No, the penny itself is not legally discontinued. Even though no new pennies will be made for circulation, existing pennies will remain legal tender, meaning they will continue to be accepted for all debts, both public and private. 

People can still use them in transactions, banks will honor them, and you won’t be forced to redeem or turn in your pennies because they’re still valid U.S. currency.

Will Any Pennies Continue To Be Produced?

Yes, the U.S. Mint will continue striking numismatic or collector pennies. These are special editions, proof sets, and commemorative versions designed for collectors and issued in limited quantities. 

These coins are not intended for regular spending. They are struck on high-quality planchets, with proof finishes or special packaging, and sold at a premium. So while circulation pennies have ended, rare and collectible versions will live on.

Final 5 Pennies Minted To Be Auctioned

The last five Lincoln cents struck on November 12, 2025, will be offered via auction in the near future. 

These coins carry significant historical value, not for their face value but for their status as the final circulating pennies ever produced. Each is marked with a small omega symbol to symbolize the importance of the event.

Collectors expect intense interest, and the auction is expected to drive the price well into the thousands or even millions. Depending on the public’s willingness to pay, these pieces may very well likely become iconic items in numismatic circles.

A Quick Look Back at the Penny’s History

U.S. Mint penny production first began in 1793 with large copper cents roughly the size of today’s half dollars. These early issues evolved into the smaller copper-nickel Flying Eagle cent in 1856–1857, followed by the long-running Indian Head cent starting in 1859. 

The modern era began in 1909 with the introduction of the Lincoln cent, which was later updated with the Memorial reverse in 1959 and the Shield design in 2010. 

Composition also shifted over time, from pure copper to steel in 1943, back to bronze, and finally to today’s copper-plated zinc format adopted in 1982.

Why the U.S. Ended Production of the Penny

The decision to halt the production of pennies for circulation was driven by a combination of rising manufacturing costs and the declining role of small-denomination coins in modern commerce.

With roughly 300 billion pennies already in circulation according to the U.S. Mint, policymakers concluded that continuing to produce new ones offered no meaningful economic benefit.

Cost of Penny Production Too High

For years, the penny has cost far more than one cent to manufacture, often between 2 to 3 cents per coin when factoring in metal prices, labor, and distribution. This cost has risen in recent years to 3.69 cents per penny.

Producing billions of pennies annually resulted in millions of dollars in annual losses. The decision to stop penny production will save roughly $56 million per year.

Meanwhile, it’s estimated that over 300 billion pennies already exist in circulation or household stashes, far exceeding what the public needs for transactions. With such an oversupply, continuing to mint new pennies was simply economically unjustifiable.

Changes in Consumer Habits

Digital payments, contactless transactions, and card-based micro-purchases sharply reduced the need for physical change. 

As a result, pennies tend to fall out of daily use quickly and accumulate in jars, leaving circulation faster than higher denominations. 

Despite this “hoarding effect,” the total number of pennies already created, which is more than enough to meet demand for decades, made additional production unnecessary. 

Policymakers recognized that consumer behavior had shifted permanently, thus reinforcing the decision to halt new penny strikes.

Expected Changes to the Value of Pennies

With the exclusion of rare and valuable pennies, most pennies will retain their face value of one cent, including modern circulation-strike Lincoln cents, because their abundance keeps them common. 

However, the end of production is likely to increase demand, and potentially value, for rare dates, low-mintage issues, and special editions such as proof coins, key-date Lincoln cents, or copper pennies minted before 1982. 

Coins with historical significance, errors, or limited runs may attract collectors, especially as the last 2025 circulation pennies become iconic. In general, scarcity and collectability, rather than age alone, will drive increased value in the post-production era.

Coinfully’s own Wyatt McDonald was recently interviewed by FOX LiveNOW on this topic. His professional insights shed light on what you can expect and the next steps to take going forward. Watch the full interview here.

What Discontinuing Penny Production Means for Consumers Today

Even though new pennies are no longer being produced, existing pennies remain legal tender and businesses will continue to accept them for the foreseeable future. 

There is no need to hoard pennies, as millions of them remain in circulation and the public already holds more than enough for daily transactions. 

Over time, many retailers are expected to phase out pennies, either by adjusting pricing so exact change is unnecessary or by rounding totals to the nearest five cents. These changes will simplify transactions without reducing the utility of remaining coins.

What Discontinuing the Penny Means for Coin Collectors

For collectors, the end of circulation-strike pennies marks a historic turning point that could increase interest in rare and significant issues. 

Coins likely to see notable value growth include key-date Lincoln cents such as 1909-S VDB, 1914-D, the Flying Eagle cent, and low-mintage modern coins such as 2017-W proof cents. The final 2025 pennies struck for circulation are expected to become iconic collector items. 

Factors driving value include scarcity, historical significance, and condition. Collectors may also focus on error coins and early copper pennies, which could appreciate faster as public and collector attention shifts toward the one-cent coin’s legacy.

What To Do With Pennies in Your Possession

For everyday consumers, most pennies can continue to be spent, saved, or accepted in transactions as usual, since they remain legal tender. 

Now is a good opportunity to review coin jars and loose change, as some older or unusual pennies may have significant collector value. Look for pre-1982 copper pennies, coins with minting errors, or low-mintage dates. 

If you suspect a penny may be valuable, consider getting it professionally appraised and, if warranted, graded, as condition significantly impacts collector interest. 

For ordinary pennies, simply using them in everyday purchases or exchanging them at banks ensures they remain in circulation without losing value.

Get a Free Coin Appraisal for Valuable Pennies and Other Rare Coins With Coinfully

The end of penny production highlights the importance of identifying coins with potential collector value. Rare dates, pre-1982 copper pennies, and the final 2025 circulation pennies may be worth significantly more than face value. 

Coinfully provides a professional, stress-free way to determine this value, offering both free online coin appraisals for quick assessments and at-home appraisals for qualifying large or historically significant collections. 

With expert authentication, competitive offers, secure handling, and fast payments, Coinfully ensures collectors and casual owners alike can maximize the value of their coins safely and efficiently.

Contact us today to learn the true value of your pennies, gold coins, silver coins, and estate collections, without any obligation or pressure to sell. 

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