URGENT UPDATE: A mock funeral for the penny was held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on December 20, 2025, marking the symbolic end of over two centuries of penny production. This event, hosted by financial management platform Ramp, drew a crowd eager to pay tribute to the one-cent coin that has been a staple of U.S. currency since its inception in 1792.
Attendees gathered around a casket as actors portraying Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln delivered emotional eulogies. The funeral featured a striking portrait of Lincoln created entirely from pennies, a poignant reminder of the coin’s legacy. The atmosphere was both somber and celebratory, with attendees dressed as historical figures, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, as well as cultural icons like Pennywise from “It.”
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump confirmed the halt to penny production due to rising costs, stating on Truth Social, “For far too long, the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents. This is so wasteful!” The final penny was ceremonially struck by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, officially ending the production of the one-cent coin.
The penny’s demise is attributed to soaring production costs—each penny now costs nearly 4 cents to produce—and a significant shift towards digital transactions. With the rise of cashless payments, the practicality of continuing penny production has come into question, prompting this unprecedented event.
As mourners threw pennies into the casket, Ramp economist Ara Kharazian delivered an “autopsy report” detailing the coin’s economic end. The event was not just a farewell; it served as a cultural commentary on the future of currency in a digital age.
This unique “funeral for the penny” strikes at the heart of American history, reminding us of a time when every cent mattered. As we transition further into a cashless society, the emotional weight of this event resonated with many, highlighting how much has changed in just a few decades.
With the public’s reaction still unfolding, this event serves as a crucial moment in the discussion about the future of currency in America. What will come next as we bid farewell to a coin that has been a part of everyday life for more than 230 years? Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
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