In a historic auction, the last of America’s circulating pennies shattered records, fetching $16.76 million for 232 sets of the final coins.
Final Pennies Sold in Record-Breaking Auction
Stack’s Bowers Galleries, a California auction house, announced that 232 sets of three coins sold on behalf of the United States Mint garnered $16.76‑million. Each set included a 2025 penny from the Philadelphia Mint, a 2025‑D penny from the Denver Mint, and a special 2025 penny struck in 24‑karat gold at the Philadelphia Mint.
The End of 232 Years of Circulation
The sale followed President Donald Trump’s direction to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt one‑cent coin production as a cost‑cutting measure. The Philadelphia Mint struck the nation’s final pennies in November after 232 years in circulation. Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally said, \”While general production concludes today, the penny’s legacy lives on\”, in a statement at the time.
Auction Highlights and Record Prices
The auction house noted the pennies drew \”unprecedented\” interest from collectors and included four hours of competitive bidding. Sets sold for an average of $72,000. The highest bids went to the first set, which sold for $200,000, and the last set of pennies ever struck, which went for a record‑breaking $800,000. That makes it the most valuable modern U.S. currency sold at auction, surpassing the $550,000 record held by a space‑flown Sacagawea dollar sold in September, according to Stack’s Bowers.
A Proud Moment for Stack’s Bowers
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,\” said Brian Kendrella, president of Stack’s Bowers Galleries, in a news release. \”They captured the public imagination like few rare coins we’ve ever handled. Even our staff of expert numismatists, who see the world’s most famous and valuable rare coins day in and day out, were excited by the chance to handle the very last pennies struck before the suspension of circulating production.\”
What Happens to the Remaining Pennies?
There are still an estimated 300 billion copper coins in circulation, and they can still be used. However, without new production, they’ll gradually disappear from everyday life, surviving mostly as collectibles and historical keepsakes.
Closing
History struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood on Wednesday as the country’s last‑ever penny was pressed. NBC10’s Aaron Baskerville shared his two cents, marking the end of an era for the most familiar U.S. coin.
Key Takeaways
- 232 sets of final pennies sold for $16.76 million, a record for modern U.S. currency.
- The last pennies were struck in November, ending 232 years of circulation.
- The final set fetched $800,000, surpassing previous auction records.
The auction not only celebrated the end of an era but also underscored the enduring allure of numismatic rarities in a world where the penny’s daily circulation has ceased.
