Imagine finding out the penny in your pocket could be worth $300—not because it’s old or rare, but because it might be the very last one ever made.
After 232 years of jingling in American pockets, the humble penny’s production screeched to a halt in 2025 when it cost nearly 4 cents to make each 1-cent coin. Now collectors are in a frenzy, with proof 2025-S pennies selling for hundreds of dollars as everyone scrambles to own a piece of history.
Is that 2025 penny in your change jar just loose change, or the grand finale of America’s longest-running coin series?
2025 Penny Value By Variety
Here’s the current market value for all 2025 penny varieties—showing Philadelphia and Denver mint strikes commanding significant premiums as uncirculated coins, while San Francisco proofs already trade at $41 despite being brand new.
2025 Penny Value Chart
| TYPE | GOOD | FINE | AU | MS | PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 No Mint Mark Shield Penny Value (RD) | — | — | — | $33 | — |
| 2025 D Shield Penny Value (RD) | — | — | — | $6 | — |
| 2025 S DCAM Shield Penny Value | — | — | — | — | $41 |
Tip: Chart shows Red (RD) prices only. For Brown (BN) or Red-Brown (RB) values, check our CoinValueChecker App for comprehensive information across all color designations.
History of the 2025 Penny
The 2025 penny marks a watershed moment in American numismatic history—potentially the final chapter in a story that began in 1793.
In February 2025, President Trump directed the Treasury Department to halt penny production, citing the absurd economics of spending 4 cents to produce each 1-cent coin. This executive action followed decades of failed Congressional attempts to eliminate the penny, including bills by Senators McCain and Kolbe.
The U.S. Mint responded by limiting 2025 production to a brief January run, creating an estimated mintage of only 250,000 business strikes—a fraction of typical annual production. Philadelphia and Denver mints struck limited quantities before shutting down cent production entirely. San Francisco continued only with proof strikes for collectors, maintaining the Shield reverse design introduced in 2010.
This abrupt halt triggered immediate market speculation. Unlike previous “last year” coins that saw gradual phase-outs, the 2025 penny’s production ceased without warning, catching collectors off-guard. The combination of extremely low mintage, historical significance as potentially the final U.S. cent, and uncertain legal status (Congress could still override the executive order) has created unprecedented demand.
Whether 2025 truly represents the penny’s finale remains uncertain, but its place in numismatic history as the year America finally said “a penny for your thoughts” might be too expensive is already secured.
Also Read: 10 Most Historic Years of Modern Lincoln Penny (1959-Date)
Key Features of the 2025 Penny
The Lincoln cent continues its long tradition in 2025, maintaining the iconic design that has graced American pockets since 1909. This one-cent coin remains an essential part of U.S. currency despite ongoing debates about its production costs.
Obverse of the 2025 Penny
The obverse features the familiar right-facing profile of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor David Brenner. Lincoln’s portrait is surrounded by the inscription LIBERTY on the left side and the date 2025 on the right. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears above Lincoln’s head, maintaining its position since 1909.
Reverse of the 2025 Penny
Since 2010, the penny’s reverse displays the Union Shield design by Lyndall Bass. The shield symbolizes Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as a single unified country. Thirteen vertical stripes represent the original states, joined by a horizontal bar signifying national unity. The denomination ONE CENT is prominently displayed below the shield, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM curved along the top edge.
Other Features of the 2025 Penny
The 2025 penny is composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper plating. Each coin weighs 2.5 grams and measures 19.05 mm in diameter with a plain edge. The mint mark appears below the date on the obverse – D for Denver or no mark for Philadelphia-minted coins. Special S-marked proof versions are produced in San Francisco for collectors.
2025 Penny Grading
Grading 2025 pennies follows the standard Sheldon Scale from 1 to 70, with higher numbers indicating better condition. Since these coins are newly minted, many will grade in the Mint State (MS) range of 60-70, with MS-65 being typical for well-preserved examples.
Key factors include the sharpness of Lincoln’s features, particularly his hair details and beard, as well as the clarity of the Union Shield’s stripes. Surface quality, luster, and the absence of contact marks significantly impact grades.
For quick and accurate grading, you can use the CoinValueChecker App to instantly assess your penny’s condition and value.
Understanding these grading principles is essential for both collectors and those curious about their pocket change. Let’s explore How to Grade Lincoln Pennies in detail.
2025 Penny Value Guides
The 2025 penny comes in three distinct varieties, each serving different purposes in the numismatic world:
- 2025 Shield No Mint Mark
- 2025-D Shield Penny
- 2025-S DCAM Shield Penny
These varieties represent the complete range of 2025 pennies available. The Philadelphia and Denver mints produce hundreds of millions of pennies for everyday commerce, while San Francisco creates limited proof versions with Deep Cameo (DCAM) finishes exclusively for collector sets.
Understanding these different types helps collectors identify which versions they need for their collections and recognize the relative scarcity of each variety.
2025 No Mint Mark Shield Penny Value
The 2025 No Mint Mark penny from Philadelphia represents a continuation of the mint’s long tradition of producing coins without letter designations.
These pennies often feature superior strike quality compared to their Denver counterparts, as Philadelphia typically maintains stricter quality control standards.
The 2025 Philadelphia pennies are particularly notable for their brilliant red luster and sharp details on both Lincoln’s features and the Union Shield design.
Collectors prize these coins for their consistency and the potential for finding high-grade examples suitable for registry sets. The absence of a mint mark itself has become a distinguishing characteristic that appeals to traditionalist collectors.
2025 No Mint Mark Shield Penny (RD) Price/Grade Chart
Price by 1-70 Grade (Latest Auction Records Included)
