The Last of the Cents: My Insights and Advice for Collectors

Like many of you, I’ve been glued to the news about the U.S. Mint stopping penny production. It’s really got me thinking about what this means for our hobby. The Treasury confirmed they won’t order more planchets once the current batch runs out, so we’re watching the beginning of the end for the cent. As a collector for years, I wanted to share what I’ve learned, some practical tips, and how we can handle this change together.

The End of an Era: What We Know

From what I’ve read in places like the BBC and Wall Street Journal, the Mint’s call comes down to cost—it now takes about four cents to make a single penny because zinc and copper prices have shot up. But don’t worry, this isn’t happening overnight. Production might keep going into 2025 or 2026, so we’ve got some time. In fact, I just found a 2025-P cent in my pocket change the other day, which shows they’re still out there circulating.

Market Observations and Price Predictions

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this hobby, it’s how these things usually play out. I expect the final-year cents will get a lot of hype at first, sending prices through the roof on the secondary market. But then they’ll probably crash. Why? Simple—they won’t be rare. Billions are already in circulation. My advice? Don’t overpay. In the long run, they might only be worth a little more than face value. Instead, put your money into coins that are actually hard to find, like key dates from the past.

Collecting Strategies to Act On Now

This news has me focusing more than ever on my own collection. Right now, I’m working on filling the gaps in my key and semi-key dates, like the 1877 Indian Head Cent or the 1909-S VDB Lincoln. Here’s the checklist I’m using to keep myself on track:

• Look for slabbed coins for better protection, but stick to mid-grades to save money—you don’t need perfect MS-70s.
• Upgrade those old albums; circulated coins in brown folders are often overlooked and can be real bargains.
• Keep an eye out for NCLT (non-circulating legal tender) cents in future proof sets—they might become collector-only items once pennies stop circulating.

By moving now, you can grab what’s available before everyone else rushes in and prices jump.

Practical Concerns: Taxes and Rounding

I know some folks are worried about how getting rid of the penny will affect sales tax—like when states charge 6% and round to the nearest nickel. From what I’ve seen, it all evens out in the end. Sure, you might lose a couple cents one day and gain a couple the next, but over time it balances out. So don’t sweat it—it won’t change the value of your coins. Just keep on collecting!

Behind the Scenes: Costs and Metal Challenges

Digging a little deeper, the nickel isn’t doing much better—it costs about 11 cents to make one. I’ve thought about whether they could switch to something cheaper, like zinc, but it just won’t work. Why? Because vending machines need coins to be a certain weight and size. If they made nickels lighter, they wouldn’t function, just like when the cent changed. So for stability in your collection, I’d stick with the current compositions.

So yes, saying goodbye to the cent is a bit sad, but it also means new chances for collectors who know what to look for. I’m really curious to see where this goes, and I hope you’ll focus on the true rarities from history instead of chasing the latest fad. Happy hunting, everyone!