when was the last penny minted

The last penny for general U.S. circulation was minted on November 12, 2025 , at the Philadelphia Mint, marking the end of a 238-year run for the one-cent coin.

Historic End

President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Mint to halt production earlier that year due to rising costs—each penny cost nearly four cents to make from copper-plated zinc. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach oversaw the final strikes, with some special "Omega-marked" editions auctioned off for collectors, fetching over $16 million in sets.

Why It Stopped

Pennies had become more expensive to produce than their face value for years, amid debates over rounding prices to the nearest nickel. Retail groups like NACS pushed Congress for solutions post-shutdown, but the coin remains legal tender despite no new minting.

Collector's Buzz

• Final auction highlights : Sets with 2025 pennies, gold variants, and Denver strikes sold for millions in December 2025.

• Forum chatter (e.g., Reddit's r/politics): Users debated nostalgia vs. practicality—"Finally gone, what a nuisance!" vs. "Sad end to Lincoln's coin."

• Trending takes : Videos from CBS and YouTube captured emotional farewells, like workers calling it "a sad day" after 232+ years.

Legacy Facts

Introduced in 1793 (with roots to Benjamin Franklin's 1787 Fugio cent), the Lincoln penny debuted in 1909. It outlasted the half-penny by 168 years and joins other low-use coins like the half-dollar in semi-retirement.

"The penny passed away today after a prolonged illness. It was 238 years old." – CNN on the Philadelphia finale

TL;DR : No pennies minted since Nov. 12, 2025—purely collector's items now, driven by costs under Trump's directive.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.