Fox Business
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent struck the final five pennies on Wednesday—each bearing a rare omega mark—ending U.S. penny production and creating collector’s items that could fetch millions at auction.
The penny, which was first authorized under the Coinage Act of 1792, was recently discontinued due to rising production costs over the last decade. The tiny coin now costs nearly four cents to make, but is only worth one cent.
While experts estimated the auction value of the final copper-colored tokens between $2 million and $5 million, according to USA Today, other coin collectors said the estimates seem unrealistic. More
Was just cleaning out my change dish a few days ago and came across a 1945 steel Penny.
Must have acquired it recently.
Poor condition but hadn’t seen one in a very long time.
Unrealistic my ASS!
Consider: Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan created Comedian in 2019. It consists of a fresh banana duct-taped to a wall. Although it sold new for $120,000, in 2024 Justin Sun bought it for $6,200,000.
Note: An important property of Comedian is that it’s OK to replace the banana from time to time.
Note that 2 cents in 1913 bought about the same as what a dollar buys now. In that sense, anything below a half-dollar merits consideration for elimination. Although I certainly want hard currency to be available, whether paper (well, linen) or metal.
A nickel nowadays costs nearly 10 cents to make.
I like how the US Treasurer likely wrecked the value of one of the last pennies by handling it for a photo op. He should have to pay the balance of the difference between that one vs. the average of the other special pennies when sold.
@Dr. Tar — As yet undetermined by the market is the value of Secretary Bessent’s fingerprint.
Irrational exuberance abounds!
I’m still looking for the elusive 1913 VDB stamped penny that’s supposedly worth a lot of money.
A Penny for Your Thoughts—–
A young Scottish lad and lassie were sitting on a low stone wall, holding hands, and just gazing out over the loch.
For several minutes they sat silently, then finally the girl looked at the boy and said, “A penny for your thoughts, Angus.”
“Well, uh, I was thinkin’ perhaps it’s aboot time for a wee kiss.”
The girl blushed, then leaned over and kissed him. Then he blushed. Then the two turned once again to gaze out over the loch.
After a while the girl spoke again. “Another penny for your thoughts, Angus.”
“Well, uh, I was thinkin’ perhaps its aboot time for a wee cuddle.”
The girl blushed, then leaned over and cuddled him. Then he blushed. Then the two turned once again to gaze out over the loch.
After a while the girl spoke again. “Another penny for your thoughts, Angus.”
“Well, uh, I was thinkin’ perhaps its aboot time you let me poot me hand on your leg.”
The girl blushed, then took his hand and put it on her leg. Then he blushed. Then the two turned once again to gaze out over the loch.
After a while the girl spoke again. “Another penny for your thoughts, Angus.”
The young man knit his brow. “Well, now,” he said, “my thoughts are a bit more serious this time.”
“Really?” said the girl in a whisper, filled with anticipation.
“Aye,” said the lad.
The girl looked away in shyness, began to blush and bit her lip in anticipation of the ultimate request.
Angus blurted out, “Din’na ye think it’s aboot time ye paid me the first three pennies?”
In the Olde Dayz RETARDS would use pennies to BYPASS their Fuses if circuits would Blow inconveniently.
Thus contributing to the term “SPARKY”
^ Did you ever put a penny in the fuse box? I did!
Back in ’02, I was out of fuses in an ancient house and a 60mph windstorm hit and knocked out power all around me. I blew a fuse in a white out surge leading up to the instant of the outage. The roads were blocked with trees so there was no going out. When power was restored, I noticed my kitchen was still out and put a penny in the fuse box. Voila!
Isn’t copper beautiful? I love copper.
Well avoid OHFC. It might kill you.
Geoff
It’s a 1909 S VDB you’re looking for, I do a lot of metal detecting for exercise and while a few have found them that way, they are worth much less when in the ground forever. I did find an 1803 half dime that’s worth a lot. they only made about 38,000 of them. Silver and gold hold up better.