The end of the penny may mean that it might be worth checking your change.
The humble penny has officially expired after 232 years. On November 12, 2025, the U.S. Mint struck its final run of circulating pennies in Philadelphia, the first Mint in the country, thereby closing a chapter that began in 1792. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach pressed the last Philadelphia penny inside the Mint’s press room. The pennies pressed bear a special ‘Omega’ were not put into circulation, but auctioned off. Stack’s Bowers Galleries auctioned 232 limited-edition “Omega” sets last December, each containing a Denver penny, a Philadelphia penny, and, for the first time ever, a 24-karat gold cent minted right here in Philly. The penny may be disappearing, but it is rising in value.
While the Mint spent 3.69 cents per penny in 2025, consumers shifted overwhelmingly to cards and smartphone payments in recent years. With pennies disappearing from circulation and businesses increasingly rounding to the nearest nickel, the penny is becoming more of a collector’s item than a spending tool, or sometimes just the opposite. That’s how we ended up with jars of coins no one counts anymore; some people literally toss coins in the trash without realising they may be throwing away real money. And sometimes, a lot of it. Just look at the Philadelphia family who discovered the Henry Chapman Collection. These were coins they assumed were worth about $50,000, but were later certified and insured for $2 million. Their surprise isn’t unusual in the coin world. Forgotten stashes can hold pieces with serious value, and the right find can be life-changing. To put it in perspective, the finest 1943-S Lincoln Wheat copper penny was sold for a million dollars in September 2012 to collector Bob R. Simpson, co-chairman of the Texas Rangers baseball club, an error coin collector. (see photo)
More people are giving their change a second look, with the penny officially joining history books. If you’re curious about what might be hiding in your own drawers, these local experts can help.
1. Pennies, Pounds & Pesos
211 South Orange Street, Media, PA 19063
penniespoundsandpesos.com
2. Drexel Hill Rare Coin
1016 Warrior Rd., Drexel Hill, PA 19026
drexelhillrarecoin.net
3. Delaware Valley Rare Coin Company
2835 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008
dvrarecoins.com
4. Alex Perakis Coins & Currency
Perakis & Co., P.O. Box 246, Lima, PA 19037
perakiscurrency.com
5. Mainline Coin & Stamp
16 E Lancaster Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003
mainlinecoinandstamp.com