The first U.S. penny, known as the Fugio cent, was minted in 1787, predating the official U.S. Mint's establishment. Official circulating production by the U.S. Mint began in 1793 in Philadelphia with the Chain Cent design.

Early Origins

Contractors privately struck the initial Fugio cents in 1787, featuring a sundial and "Mind Your Business" motto designed with Benjamin Franklin's input. These served as one of America's earliest post-independence coins amid a patchwork of foreign currencies. Mass production kicked off in March 1793, with 11,178 copper cents released, symbolizing the 13 colonies' unity via chain links on the reverse.

Design Evolution

  • 1793 Chain Cent : First official Mint penny, emphasizing colonial bonds; faced production challenges due to wartime copper shortages.
  • 1909 Lincoln Wheat Penny : Introduced Abraham Lincoln's portrait for his centennial, designed by Victor David Brenner; marked a shift to presidential imagery.
  • Over 11 designs followed, with wheat stalks on the reverse until 1959, evolving to modern shielded Lincoln cents.

Recent Context

Pennies ceased production in November 2025, ending a 232-year run amid rising costs and debates over utility, much like eliminations in Canada and Australia. Numismatists highlight rare early examples as collector treasures, with 1793 cents fetching high values today.

TL;DR : First penny in 1787 (Fugio), official Mint version 1793; discontinued 2025. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.