The Last of the Cents: My Numismatic Journey Through the Penny’s Sunset

Like many of you, I’ve been glued to the news about the U.S. Mint stopping penny production. It’s a bit surreal, isn’t it? Watching a piece of our everyday history slowly fade away. As a longtime collector, I’ve been thinking a lot about what this means for our hobby—everything from market shifts to how we might adjust our collecting strategies. I wanted to share some of my thoughts with you.

The Breaking News: An End of an Era

So, it’s official: the U.S. Treasury has stopped ordering new penny planchets, and production will likely end by 2026 as the current supply runs out. I read in the BBC that it now costs about four cents to make each penny because zinc and copper prices have shot up so much. It’s a tough economic reality that’s finally caught up with our little Lincoln. Bittersweet? Absolutely. But as numismatists, we’ve got a lot to talk about.

Market Observations: What to Expect with Final Year Cents

I’ve been watching the market, and it’s no surprise that 2025-P cents are getting a lot of attention. Early on, you’ll probably see prices jump on the secondary market. But let’s be real—with billions of pennies in circulation, these aren’t going to be rare. The spike might be short-lived, and prices could settle down to just a little above face value. My two cents? (Pun intended!) Keep an eye on auctions, but don’t rush to overpay. Patience usually pays off in our hobby.

Collecting Insights: Seizing Opportunities Now

This whole penny news has me going through my own collection with fresh eyes. I’m focusing on filling those key date gaps while prices are still reasonable. Right now, I’m on the lookout for semi-key dates like the 1877 Indian Head Cent, the 1909-S VDB Lincoln, and of course, the 2025-P cent. When it comes to grading, I’m sticking with solid mid-grade coins—think MS-63 or AU-50—that are slabbed for peace of mind without breaking the bank on top-tier grades. Here’s what I’m prioritizing:

• Must-have dates: 1877 IHC, 1909-S, 1909-S VDB, and 1960-P small date varieties. (I know, the 1909-S appears twice, but that VDB is special!)
• Don’t forget proofs and mint sets. With production possibly shifting to non-circulating legal tender (NCLT) cents, these could become even more sought after.
• Check your change! I’ve heard from fellow collectors that 2025-P cents are still popping up in circulation. A little patience can save you a lot of money.

Minting Costs and Metal Madness

When I looked at the numbers, it really hit me: pennies cost four cents to make, and nickels? A whopping 18 cents each! I’ve heard some collectors joke about switching to cheaper metals like zinc, but that’s easier said than done. Changing the metal would mean changing the weight and size, which would throw off every vending machine out there. Pennies only got away with it because they’re not used in machines much. So for now, we’re stuck with this costly system. But you know what? It makes me appreciate every coin in my collection even more.

Practical Advice: Navigating Changes and Taxes

I was curious about how getting rid of pennies might affect sales tax rounding. From what I’ve read, rounding to the nearest nickel should even out over time—sometimes you’ll pay an extra cent, sometimes you’ll save one, but it’s never more than a two-cent swing. For us collectors, it’s not a huge deal, but it just shows how we’re moving further away from physical cash. My advice? Use this time to focus on your collection. For example, now might be a good moment to fill those brown album pages with circulated coins while they’re still easy to find and affordable.

Wrapping Up: A Collector’s Farewell

As we prepare to say farewell to the penny, I can’t help but think about all the history it represents. This isn’t just an ending—it’s a chance for us to hold onto a piece of that history. Stay tuned to Mint updates, hunt for those last few issues, and most importantly, savor the hunt. That 2025-P cent you find in your change today? It might just be the story you tell your grandkids.