Penny Production in the US to End, Treasury Department Confirms

According to a statement from the Treasury Department, the United States will officially cease penny production this month, marking the end of an era lasting 233 years.

As this shift unfolds, you might be rummaging through couch cushions or checking the vacuum for any coins that have more value than just one cent.

It’s also worth noting those redesigned pennies from 2009. While they might not fetch a fortune, they’re a nod to Abraham Lincoln’s legacy in Indiana.

What’s Special About the Indiana Lincoln Penny?

In 2009, Congress approved a special penny to commemorate four significant locations in Lincoln’s life. This coin also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln cent.

Lincoln was born in Kentucky, spent his youth in Indiana, achieved prominence in Illinois, and ultimately led the nation from Washington, D.C.—as stated in the legislation.

This particular coin illustrates young Lincoln sitting on a log engrossed in a book, symbolizing his formative years in Indiana from 1816 to 1830. The design aims to reflect that moment in his life, suggesting he was reading during a break from splitting rails.

When Will the US Treasury Stop Minting Pennies?

The federal government issued its final order for penny blanks in May 2025, initiating the move to halt one-cent coin production. A Treasury spokesperson confirmed this to USA Today.

“The US Mint will still produce pennies as long as those blanks are available,” the spokesperson noted, though they didn’t clarify how long the existing stock will last, leaving uncertainty about when pennies will cease to be in circulation.

For context, the blank is essentially a flat metal disk that will eventually become a coin.

Why Is Penny Production Stopping?

Earlier this year, the former President directed the Treasury to cease production of low-value coins, citing the cost exceeding two cents for each penny minted as a wasteful expenditure.

Officials noted that the production and distribution of a penny in 2024 cost approximately 3.7 cents, reflecting a 20% increase from the previous year, primarily due to rising metal prices like zinc and copper.

For comparison, minting a nickel costs about 13.8 cents.

What About Wheat Pennies?

The “wheat penny,” so named for the design featuring wheat stalks on its reverse side, was produced from 1909 to 1958. Following that period, the design shifted to one showing Lincoln Memorial sculptures.

Generally, most Lincoln wheat pennies are not very valuable, averaging just a few cents. However, depending on their condition, some rare ones can be worth hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars, particularly if they have mint errors.