Pennies may not buy much today, but the final batch could become a modern rarity as the Trump administration ends new minting after more than two centuries of production. The U.S. Mint pressed the last one-cent coins in Philadelphia in November 2025; existing pennies remain legal tender, but no new ones will be made for circulation
What changed and why
The administration ordered the halt citing cost inefficiency, as each penny cost several cents to produce and manage, turning the coin into a net loss for taxpayers. Officials emphasized savings and a streamlined cash economy, echoing how Canada and Australia rounded cash prices after retiring their lowest-denomination coins
The final batch allure
Collectors gravitate to “firsts” and “lasts,” and the final pressings have already been framed as historic keepsakes with special events marking their strike at the Philadelphia Mint. Reports indicate select final coins will be auctioned, which typically boosts scarcity-driven value, especially for pieces with verifiable provenance from a documented last run
Will any be worth $5 million?
Astounding price tags in U.S. cents are rare and historically tied to unique mint errors, like the 1943 copper cent mistakenly struck on pre-war bronze planchets, which has sold for over $1 million and is generally estimated in the high six to seven figures depending on variety and grade. For a brand-new final batch to approach $5 million, it would likely require a singular story—such as a unique presentation piece, a dramatic error, or a one-of-one artifact—combined with intense headline demand at marquee auctions
What history says about ultra-rare pennies
The benchmark for extreme penny values comes from a handful of error coins: approximately a few dozen 1943 copper cents exist across mints, with top specimens documented around $1–1.7 million, and an ultra-rare Denver issue known as unique. These results illustrate that multi-million prices require vanishingly small populations, celebrated provenance, and third-party authentication, conditions that are possible but not guaranteed for 2025 finals
Market dynamics to watch
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Provenance. Coins tied directly to the Treasurer’s ceremonial strike or official presentations tend to command premiums due to documented history
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Certification. Grading and encapsulation by major services will be central to establishing market trust and stratifying value tiers for final-run pieces
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Supply and release. If the Mint auctions limited commemoratives or presentation sets while large quantities of regular cents trickle into circulation, scarcity and price will concentrate at the top
Practical implications for shoppers and stores
While minting stops, everyday transactions continue as pennies remain legal tender, and retailers may adopt rounding practices for cash payments similar to peer countries’ transitions. Banks and merchants have prepared for change-management, with communication focused on ensuring customers can still deposit or spend existing pennies without disruption
Quick data snapshot
| Item | Detail |
| — | — |
| Last penny press | November 2025 (Philadelphia Mint) |
| Legal status | Existing pennies remain legal tender |
| Reason cited | Production cost outweighs face value |
| Rare error benchmark | 1943 copper cents: roughly high six to seven figures depending on mint/grade |
| Potential for $5M | Only with unique provenance/error and peak auction demand |
Bottom line for collectors
The final batch is historically significant and could yield standout pieces, especially those formally documented or auctioned, but $5 million valuations would require extraordinary scarcity and narrative, akin to the most famous error cents in history. Interested buyers should watch official auction announcements, seek third-party grading, and be wary of hype around common final-run coins entering circulation at face value.
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FAQs
Q1: Are pennies still spendable?
Yes. They remain legal tender even though new ones aren’t being minted
Q2: Will stores round prices now?
Some may round cash totals to the nearest five cents, following models used abroad; practices will vary by retailer
Q3: Which final pennies could be most valuable?
Documented presentation pieces, auctioned finals, and any authenticated major mint errors typically command the highest premiums
