UPDATE: A mock funeral for the penny took place at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on December 20, 2025, marking the end of production for the historic one-cent coin. The event, organized by financial management platform Ramp, drew attention as the nation bids farewell to a currency that has been in circulation for over 230 years.
Attendees gathered around a casket as actors portraying Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, delivered emotional eulogies. Among the mourners were actors dressed as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and even John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s assassin. The spectacle included a portrait of Lincoln crafted entirely from pennies, symbolizing the profound impact of the coin on American history.
The mock funeral follows the ceremonial striking of the final penny by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, an event that officially concluded penny production. Rising costs, with each penny now costing nearly 4 cents to make, alongside the growing trend of digital payments, prompted officials to end this long-standing tradition.
In a statement earlier this year, President Donald Trump announced the halt in penny production, calling it wasteful. “For far too long, the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, underscoring the financial impracticality that led to this historic change.
The event featured a diverse crowd, with attendees dressed in various costumes, including Pennywise, the character from Stephen King’s “It,” and Santa Claus, adding a whimsical touch to the otherwise somber occasion. Ara Kharazian, an economist from Ramp, delivered an “autopsy report” detailing the economic reasons behind the penny’s demise, emphasizing how shifting consumer behavior and production costs ultimately sealed its fate.
As the nation reflects on the legacy of the penny, the event serves as a cultural touchstone, illustrating how even small denominations can evoke deep emotional connections among Americans. The mock funeral not only highlights the end of an era but also raises questions about the future of cash in an increasingly digital economy.
What’s next? The public can expect further discussions on currency reform and how the cessation of penny production will affect transactions moving forward. As the U.S. navigates this transition, the impact of digital payment methods will continue to shape the landscape of American finance.
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