Farewell to the penny

Endings are sad but often inevitable. Production of new U.S. pennies was ceased in November 2025. The popular 1 cent, copper coin first came on the scene in 1792. Now that is longevity. As our country celebrates its semiquincentennial (250th birthday) in 2026, it’s a bittersweet end for a coin nearly as old as our country itself.

The demise of the penny makes you wonder how long coins will still be used as currency in the decades ahead. For now, the Federal Reserve says they will continue to circulate existing pennies for as long as possible.

Fun facts about the penny:

💲Abraham Lincoln has been on the penny since 1909. The current Union Shield design has been used since 2010.

💲Modern pennies (1982–present) are made from copper-plated zinc: 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper.

💲The first penny featured a woman symbolizing liberty.

💲The most valuable penny is the extremely rare 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny.

💲The Mint ended production of pennies due to the manufacturing cost (3.69 cents) exceeding the coin’s value.

The penny has been such a staple in our lives and used in so many colloquialisms and adages.

A penny saved is a penny earned

Penny wise, pound foolish

A penny for your thoughts

It costs a pretty penny (referring to an expensive item)

A bad penny always turns up

In for a penny, in for a pound

Pinch pennies

Worth every penny

And don’t forget the tradition of the “lucky penny,” which dictates that finding a penny face-up (heads) brings good luck. It is generally believed that only heads-up pennies should be picked up, while tails-up pennies should be flipped over for the next person. 

See a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck.

Find ‘em while you can!