Is the 2025-S Lincoln penny the last penny to ever be produced? Well, a lot of people truly think so and that has sparked big interest in what could be the final penny to ever be produced.
The 2025-S Lincoln penny has quickly become one of the most talked-about coins in recent history. With rumors and confirmation swirling around it potentially being the last U.S. one-cent coin ever minted, collectors are scrambling to secure their piece of what could be a major turning point in American numismatics.
🏛️ End of an Era: The Penny’s Final Chapter
In February 2025, President Donald Trump made headlines by announcing his directive to the U.S. Treasury to halt production of the penny. His decision was based on the long-standing issue of cost — each penny costs nearly 4 cents to produce. The move, framed as a cost-cutting measure, has since caused a stir across the coin collecting world.
While a total discontinuation would require Congressional approval, the directive has already impacted production for 2025. As of now, no circulating 2025 pennies have been confirmed, and only proof versions from the San Francisco Mint have appeared on the market.
🪙 Mintage and Availability
The 2025-S Lincoln penny is being struck exclusively in proof format at the San Francisco Mint and sold only as part of annual proof sets. While the U.S. Mint has yet to release official mintage numbers, estimates suggest these proof pennies could be produced in relatively low quantities compared to typical circulation mintages.
This controlled release has added a layer of scarcity to the 2025-S penny, amplifying its appeal for collectors — particularly if it ends up being the final official U.S. one-cent coin.
💰 Market Value and Current Pricing
Speculation and excitement have driven demand to new heights. As of April 2025:
- Unopened proof sets containing the 2025-S penny are selling for $50 to $100
- Individually certified 2025-S pennies graded PR69 or PR70 are commanding prices ranging from $150 to over $300
- Premiums are especially strong for coins labeled as first strikes or those with deep cameo finishes
On marketplaces like eBay, these coins have seen bidding wars as collectors anticipate rising value if production truly halts.
📜 The Penny’s Place in U.S. History
The penny has been a part of U.S. currency since 1793, and the Lincoln cent — introduced in 1909 — is the longest-running coin design in American history. Over the years, it has featured several reverses (Wheat, Memorial, Shield) but has remained a cultural icon, a staple of childhood piggy banks, and a symbol of Abraham Lincoln’s legacy.
If 2025 does mark the final mintage year, it will be a historic milestone, akin to the end of the silver dollar in the 1930s or the half cent in the 1850s.
🔮 The Future of the Penny
While the President has pushed to end penny production, any permanent retirement of the coin would still need to pass through Congress. Debate remains active:
- Supporters of elimination argue the penny is economically wasteful and largely obsolete in a digital, cash-light society.
- Opponents worry about rounding issues and impacts on pricing, charities, and consumer perception.
Still, the current halt in production has signaled a serious shift in policy — and if no business-strike 2025 pennies are issued, the 2025-S could go down in history as the last official U.S. penny.
🧠 Tips for Collectors
If you’re considering acquiring a 2025-S penny, here’s what to keep in mind:
- Act quickly – Demand is skyrocketing and prices are rising.
- Buy proof sets directly from official or trusted dealers while supplies last.
- Consider certification – Professionally graded coins will always carry greater collector value and resale confidence.
- Watch for future developments – If Congress makes the penny retirement official, the coin’s value could climb significantly.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Whether or not this is truly the end of the penny, the 2025-S Lincoln proof cent has already cemented its status as a modern numismatic phenomenon. Between the political announcement, its limited availability, and the uncertainty surrounding its future, this tiny copper-plated coin is generating massive attention.
For collectors, investors, and history lovers alike, the 2025-S penny may become a defining piece of early 21st-century U.S. coinage — the last of a tradition that began over 230 years ago.
If you want to get your hands on this one-of-a-kind Lincoln penny, be sure to reach out to the shop. If you’re looking to buy silver or sell silver, be sure to reach out to the shop. We also have rare coins in stock. We have a wide selection of rare silver coins, give us a call today to learn more.
