The United States Mint’s 232-year history of producing circulating one-cent coins reaches a unique milestone on Dec. 11, when Stack’s Bowers Galleries auctions the last pennies ever struck for commerce. The historic offering features 232 three-coin Omega privy mark sets, each containing a 2025 penny from the Philadelphia Mint, a 2025-D penny from the Denver Mint, and — for the first time in Mint history — a 99.99% 24-karat gold uncirculated penny, minted in Philadelphia.
These coins bear a small "Ω" (Omega) privy mark, the final letter of the Greek alphabet, recognizing their place among the last cents struck in a series that began with the "Alpha" cents of 1793.
"The Mint is excited to share this opportunity with the American public," said Mint Acting Director Kristie McNally. "The penny has withstood 232 years of our Nation’s history, and we are proud to offer the chance for the public to celebrate this moment into perpetuity by purchasing one of these special sets. It truly an honor to continue Connecting America through Coins."
Each set is accompanied by a serialized Certificate of Authenticity, with set No. 232 also including the three canceled dies used to strike the coins.
This auction marks the fifth time Stack’s Bowers Galleries has been selected by the United States Mint for a special offering.
"We are extremely honored to once again present a historic selection of modern rarities on behalf of the United States Mint," said Stack’s Bowers Galleries President Brian Kendrella. "These Omega privy mark Lincoln pennies are a fitting celebration of one of the most popular and influential denominations in American coinage."
Previous assignments include the $7.5 million auction of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens $20 in 2002, the $4.6 million sale of 35th Anniversary American Eagle coins in 2022, the $8.2 million sale of 230th Anniversary Flowing Hair coins in 2024, and the $3.2 million sale of the Space-Flown 24K Gold Sacagawea dollars in 2025.
Lowest Mintages in the Lincoln Series
With only 232 pieces produced for each Omega issue, the 2025 Philadelphia penny, the 2025-D penny, and the 24-karat gold penny represent the lowest mintages in the Lincoln cent series and rank among the rarest pieces of the entire denomination.
"This mintage is more than 2,000 times lower than that of the famous 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln penny and only a fraction of the production quantity for the original 1793 Chain Reverse pennies that started it all," notes Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
Cents Certified by PCGS and Reviewed by CAC
All coins in the Omega sets will be certified by PCGS, encapsulated with exclusive labels created for this auction, and incorporated into the PCGS Set Registry. Each piece will also be reviewed by CAC to confirm quality and eye appeal.
Live Bidding Dec. 11, 2025, at 12 p.m. EST
Live bidding for the three-coin sets begins Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at 12 p.m. EST (9 a.m. PST) through the Stack’s Bowers Galleries website and broadcast from Griffin Studios at the firm’s Costa Mesa, California headquarters. In recognition of the historic offering, the firm will waive the Buyer’s Premium, meaning the hammer price will be the final amount paid by the winning bidder, excluding shipping.
Mint Marks Final Production of the Circulating Cent
The latest announcement coincides with the Mint’s Nov. 12 ceremonial striking at the Philadelphia facility to mark the final production of circulating pennies. United States Treasurer Brandon Beach and U.S. Mint Acting Director Kristie McNally personally operated the presses for the last Philadelphia-minted Omega coins, underscoring the significance of the moment.
"Today the Mint celebrates 232 years of penny manufacturing," McNally said at the time. "While general production concludes today, the penny’s legacy lives on."
Authorized under the Coinage Act of 1792, the cent’s 232-year run ends amid rising manufacturing costs and declining commercial demand. According to Mint data, the cost to strike one penny climbed from under one cent (0.97) in 2005 to 3.69 cents in 2024. Treasury ended production following a Feb. 9 directive from President Trump aimed at reducing government waste.
The penny remains legal tender, and the Mint estimates roughly 300 billion are still in public hands — far more than needed for commerce. Many retailers already round cash transactions to the nearest nickel, following the model adopted by Canada in 2012.
Numismatic versions of the cent will continue to be produced in limited quantities for collectors.
