A pretty penny: Last US cents sell for $16.7 million
(ABC) — America’s smallest coins just brought in some big bucks.
Pennies from the final minted set of the coin sold for over $16.76 million at auction Thursday, according to Stack’s Bowers Galleries in California.
The auction house sold 232 sets of three coins each featuring a 2025 penny from the Philadelphia Mint, a 24-karat gold penny from the Philadelphia Mint and a 2025-D penny from the Denver Mint, according to a press release.
Each of the coins was embossed with the omega symbol “Ω” marking the final run of the coin first minted in 1793, ostensibly why 232 lots were sold, per Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
Each trio of coins sold for an average lot value of over $72,000, and the final set, No. 232, sold for $800,000, as it included the very last circulating pennies from Philadelphia and Denver and the final gold omega penny.
Stack’s Bowers Galleries President Brian Kendrella said the sale was an honor.
“It’s an extraordinary honor to again be selected to partner with the United States Mint to offer exciting numismatic rarities to the collecting public,” he said.
The Mint’s acting director, Kristie McNally, said in a press release that she was excited to put the coins up for bid.
“The penny has withstood 232 years of our Nation’s history, and we are proud to offer the chance for the public to celebrate this moment into perpetuity by purchasing one of these special sets. It’s truly an honor to continue Connecting America through Coins,” she said.
Minting pennies halted in November, as the federal government shut down production in the U.S. due to the cost.
President Donald Trump posted in February on Truth Social that he had asked Scott Bessent, the Secretary of the Treasury, to stop producing the coin.
“For far too long, the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents,” he posted. “This is so wasteful! I have instructed my Secretary of the US Treasury to stop producing new pennies. Let’s rip the waste out of our great nation’s budget, even if it’s a penny at a time.”
According to the Mint’s annual report to Congress, the agency reported losing $85.3 million on making pennies in the fiscal year of 2024.
Existing pennies will remain in circulation.
