PHILADELPHIA — November 12, 2025 — After more than two centuries in production, the United States Mint in Philadelphia has struck the nation’s final one-cent coin, officially marking the end of the penny’s long and storied history in American commerce.

The last batch of pennies rolled off the presses Wednesday morning at the historic Philadelphia Mint, where the first U.S. coins were produced in the 1790s. The ceremonial strike was attended by Mint officials, collectors, and invited guests — all witnesses to the conclusion of a 230-year tradition.

“The penny has served the nation well, but the economics simply no longer make sense,” Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson said at the event. “This is both a farewell and a celebration of American coinage history.”

Rising Costs and Changing Times

The decision to end penny production follows years of debate over the coin’s future. According to the Mint, each penny now costs nearly four cents to produce, far exceeding its one-cent face value. Inflation, rising metal costs, and declining cash transactions accelerated the decision.

Existing pennies will remain legal tender, but no new coins will be made for general circulation.

A Special Final Strike

The final coins, minted in Philadelphia, bear a unique “Ω” (Omega) mint mark to symbolize the end of production. These pieces will not enter circulation; instead, they will be archived, auctioned, or reserved for collectors.

The standard design — featuring President Abraham Lincoln’s portrait and the Union Shield reverse — remains unchanged for this last issue.

A Legacy Spanning Generations

Since 1909, the Lincoln cent has been one of the most recognized coins in the world. For many Americans, it represents more than small change — it’s a cultural artifact found in pockets, piggy banks, and time capsules for generations.

“The penny was the first coin many of us held as children,” said numismatist Jennifer Stapleton of the American Numismatic Association. “Its retirement closes a chapter of everyday Americana.”

Philadelphia’s Historic Role

The Philadelphia Mint, the nation’s first and largest coin-production facility, has been responsible for most of the country’s pennies throughout history. Until recent decades, Philadelphia-minted coins typically carried no mint mark, making them the default U.S. issue.

The County of Rockland has approved a $2 million Emergency Food Assistance Plan with the Regional Food Bank to help families impacted by the federal SNAP benefit lapse caused by the ongoing government shutdown.

More than 19,000 Rockland households, including over 54,000 children and adults, are affected and now face increased food insecurity.

The plan will roll out in two phases through November 30. The first phase, now underway, includes $700,000 in grants to 43 local food pantries and $300,000 for countywide food distribution events. A second phase will follow if the shutdown continues.

At the first event, held November 6 at Clover Stadium in Pomona, volunteers distributed 20,000 pounds of food—enough to serve about 375 households. More events will be announced in the coming days, and the Regional Food Bank is seeking volunteers to help with future distributions.

The second phase, set to activate November 15–30 if the federal shutdown continues, will extend the same structure to sustain support through the end of the month.

“We’re grateful for the outpouring of support from Rockland County officials and residents,” said Regional Food Bank CEO Tom Nardacci.