The Last of the Cents: A Collector’s Guide to the Penny’s Final Chapter

Like many of you, I’ve been glued to the news about the US Mint stopping penny production. It really makes you wonder what this means for our hobby. With the Treasury confirming they won’t order more blank planchets after current supplies run dry, we’re watching the curtain slowly fall on the humble cent. Reports from the BBC and WSJ point to metal costs as the culprit—it now costs nearly 4 cents to make a penny, and nickels run a whopping 11 cents each. I’ve been turning this over in my mind and wanted to share some thoughts with fellow collectors.

The Timeline and Key Facts

From what I can tell, pennies aren’t vanishing tomorrow. Existing planchets will keep mints humming into 2026, so 2025-P cents will still turn up in change for a while—I’ve found several here in North Carolina just this month. But let’s be clear: this is the start of a long goodbye. Why? Simple economics. Zinc and copper prices have soared so high that making pennies no longer makes sense. Nickels face similar pressure with their rising costs, which could mean changes for other coins down the road.

Collecting Strategies for the Transition

As a collector, I see this as our moment to strengthen our collections. Now’s the time to track down those tricky key dates before everyone starts scrambling. Here’s what I’m doing in my own collecting:

• Fill those gaps: Focus on dates like the 1877 Indian Head Cent, 1909-S, and the 1909-S VDB. Semi-keys like the 1960-P small date deserve attention too—they’re sleepers that can really round out a collection.
• Value over grade: Seek out attractive coins with good eye appeal, whether slabbed or loose. You don’t need mint-state examples—a solid VF coin often delivers more satisfaction per dollar.
• Everyday treasures: Keep checking your change for 2025-P cents—they’re still circulating and will become nostalgic pieces. Also watch for special collector versions in proof sets; the mint will likely keep making those even after regular production ends.

Market Insights and Price Predictions

There’s plenty of speculation about how this will affect coin values. While I expect some excitement around final-year cents, remember this: billions exist. They won’t be truly rare anytime soon. My guess? We’ll see a short-term price bump followed by a leveling off—maybe 10-20% over face for uncirculated examples. So here’s my approach: skip the feeding frenzy and buy strategically for your collection’s future. Coins like the 2025-P are plentiful now—no need to rush.

Practical Implications Beyond Collecting

Outside our hobby, this change will ripple through daily life. Cash transactions will start rounding to the nearest nickel. I checked the tax angle—while rates stay the same (like my state’s 6% sales tax), your total bill gets rounded. It evens out over time, so nothing to lose sleep over. Switching metals? Not so simple. Vending machines need today’s exact weights, so any change would cause real headaches. But honestly, we collectors care more about preserving history than fixing vending machines!

My Personal Numismatic Journey

In my own collection, I’m pouring energy into finishing my Indian Head Cent set and hunting down affordable proofs. I’m also keeping one eye on nickels—if costs stay high, they could be next. For now, I’m savoring the hunt and documenting this transition. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye, but as we know in this hobby, endings often spark new beginnings. So dust off your loupes and enjoy the chase—these final cents are history in our hands.