A mock "funeral" for the penny drew hundreds to the Lincoln Memorial after the U.S. Mint discontinued the coin. Organized by Ramp, the event featured Victorian dress, speeches from Lincoln descendants and impersonators, and emotional tributes. The decision follows a presidential request to halt penny minting amid rising costs — the penny now costs about 3.69¢ to produce. The final coins struck in November, including a 24K gold privy-mark penny, will be auctioned as a set expected to fetch about $15,000.
Mock Funeral for the Penny Draws Hundreds to Lincoln Memorial After U.S. Mint Ends Production
The penny was given a mock "funeral" outside the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday, as mourners and Abraham Lincoln impersonators gathered to mark the U.S. Mint's decision to discontinue the coin last month.
Gathering at the Memorial
Hundreds attended the ceremony, many dressed in black or Victorian-style clothing. Participants placed pennies in small caskets on display or tossed them into a glass bowl of water while making wishes, according to The Washington Post. Some attendees were visibly emotional as they reflected on the coin’s long history.
Voices and Performances
A Mary Todd Lincoln impersonator addressed the crowd with a lighthearted eulogy: "Find a penny, pick it up and all day you’ll have good luck. Who here has said this phrase before? The penny poured out all its good luck for us and saved none for itself." Speakers included Lincoln descendant Knowlton Anderson and impersonator Alan Edwards (social handle @honestbabelincoln), who responded to the crowd chant of "Abe" with, "You’re as pretty as a penny."
Event Organizer and Reactions
Global expense-management firm Ramp organized the event; field producer Jarell Mique described it to the Post as a "silly little event." Attendees such as Anna Kate Spotts, a Baltimore pathologist, said the gathering was a meaningful moment to celebrate an object that spanned generations.
Why Production Ended
Earlier this year, President Trump asked the Treasury Department to stop minting new pennies to prevent future production beginning in 2026. Policymakers and critics cited the rising manufacturing cost: the penny now costs about 3.69 cents to produce on average, making its production economically inefficient compared with its face value.
Final Pennies and Auction
The last regular minting order in the spring marked the final standard production run. The final pennies struck in November will be sold at auction in accordance with the president’s directive. Among the last pieces is a 24-karat gold penny stamped with an Omega privy mark; the complete final set is expected to be offered at auction with a price of approximately $15,000.
Historical Context
This is not the first time the U.S. has retired a denomination: Congress discontinued the half-cent in 1857. The end of the penny continues a national conversation about cost, currency utility, and tradition.
Reporting based on coverage from The Washington Post and Nexstar Media.
