U.S. Mint Strikes Its Final Penny

On November 12, 2025, the U.S. Mint held a ceremonial strike in Philadelphia marking production of the last circulating penny, ending a 232-year run for the coin. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach struck the final pieces, which were stamped with an "Omega" symbol signifying the end of the series; the Mint will still produce limited numismatic pennies for collectors.

Trump had directed the Treasury in February 2025 to stop minting pennies, citing the fact that each coin cost nearly four cents to produce, more than its face value. The decision was a straightforward cost-cutting move with bipartisan logic behind it, since the penny has long been criticized as economically inefficient.

The phase-out has practical implications for cash transactions, which businesses are adjusting to through rounding practices, and marks a symbolic closing of a long-running debate over the coin's usefulness in an increasingly cashless economy.