Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducted the landmark “Omega” Lincoln Cents auction on December 11, marking the final chapter in the long history of United States circulating cents.
Selected by the United States Mint to handle this historic offering, Stack’s Bowers presented all 232 three-coin Omega Cent sets, drawing significant participation from collectors and institutions worldwide.
The Omega Cents represented the very last circulating pennies struck by the United States Mint. Each coin bore a distinctive Omega (Ω) privy mark, symbolizing the conclusion of a legacy that began in 1793.
The Sets
Each three-coin set included a 2025 Lincoln cent struck at the Philadelphia Mint, a 2025-D Lincoln cent struck at the Denver Mint, and a historic 2025 Lincoln cent struck in 24-karat gold at the Philadelphia Mint.
The gold cent represented the first cent ever officially struck in gold and ranked among the rarest non-Proof gold coins produced by the United States Mint.
Only 232 sets were produced, commemorating the 232 years of cent production, and all were offered exclusively in this single Stack’s Bowers auction.
Each set was accompanied by a serialized Certificate of Authenticity.
Notably, United States Treasurer Brandon Beach and United States Mint Acting Director Kristie McNally personally operated the presses to strike the final Omega coins in recognition of their historic significance.
Auction Highlights
The auction opened strongly, with Set No. 1 realizing $200,000, immediately confirming robust demand for the series.
Competitive bidding continued throughout the sale, particularly for higher-grade sets and those containing premium Denver Mint coins.
The sale’s top lot was Set No. 232, the final set produced. This extraordinary offering included three sets of canceled original dies used to strike the Omega Cents.
After spirited bidding, Set No. 232 sold for $800,000, making it the highest-priced lot of the auction and a fitting conclusion to the event.
Among other notable results, Set No. 212, selected by CoinWeek as the best overall set per grade, realized $180,000.
This set was distinguished by the inclusion of one of the highly coveted Denver Mint MS-67 coins.
Set No. 69 followed closely at $160,000, while Set No. 231, the next-to-last set produced, sold for $150,000.
Strong demand continued for top-grade Denver Mint examples. Set No. 157, which contained one of only three MS-67 graded coins, all struck at the Denver Mint, realized $130,000.
Three additional sets, Nos. 156, 214, and 220, each sold for $120,000, while Sets Nos. 190 and 213 brought $115,000 apiece.
Five sets—Nos. 2, 3, 164, 168, and 181—each realized $110,000, and Set No. 155 followed closely at $105,000.
The remaining balance of the 232 sets generally ranged from $87,000 to $70,000 each, with a secondary tier of results clustering between $50,000 and $60,000.
As anticipated prior to the auction, Set No. 64, which carried the lowest overall grade total, finished at the bottom of the rankings, selling for $48,000.
Overall Results
Per the Stack’s Bowers Press Release:”The very last circulating pennies, or “cents,” sold for over $16.76 million in a special auction by Stack’s Bowers Galleries on Thursday, December 12 th , presented on behalf of the United States Mint.”
The December 11 Omega Cents auction was obviously a resounding success, both financially and historically.
Strong prices across the board, particularly for the first and final sets, underscored the importance of the offering and ensured that the conclusion of the United States penny was commemorated in fitting fashion.
Additional Comments from the Stacks’s Bowers Press Release are here
Concerning the results of the omega cents. I think the mint did a terrible thing doing it like they did. Knowingly and deliberately locking out the majority of the coin collectors of this country. Enough sets should have been made so collectors would have a chance, just like the Silver Eagles with privy marks.
The Mint would have had to sell 167,600 sets at $100 (to pick a round number) apiece, to make the same profit, but I agree that throwing that bone to the average coin collector would have been a nice gesture. The Mint is racing to the bottom to produce schlock pop culture product for pure profit, a tack which used to be looked down upon as the domain of third-world countries — I guess the UK, France, and other mints are doing it too, so they’ve just jumped on the bandwagon. I wonder how the Omega buyers are going to feel if the price of zinc and copper drop, and the U.S. resumes production of circulating pennies?
we’ve started our 12 year old grandson with coin collecting and he loves it!
And the average collector is left out yet again by the US Mint.
$800,000 That’s a lot of CENTS!
Artificially creating rarities for profit is just wrong. The Mi9nt just doesn’t get it and never will.
very interesting for sure
The lowly penny goes out with an unbelievable big bang. Sadly out of reach to almost everyone
At these prices is someone offers me a penny for my thoughts I’ll jump at the offer
These numbers are crazy when you think about it. Still would love to have one of those sets though
Wow. I would have loved to gotten one of those. History
Amazing History!
I wouldn’t be surprised if the mint reverses course and begins issuing the Lincoln cent again.
Not fair for the coin collectors that dont get a chance to buy
Amazing results. I wish I could have afforded it.
Collectors item. Cents will not be made anymore.
This set would be a great addition to my collection but there’s no way I could afford it. Congratulations to everyone who got one.
Amazing prices for these! Such unusual coins with distinctive marks.
I’m not too surprised by the results. The mint could’ve sprung for 95% Copper on the P and D cents in each set, though.
Dang it, my bid of $1.00 wasn’t high enough. :)
I love when they create rarity. I wish they would get rid of the walking liberty design and strt using the old patterns!!
WOW! Big prices for deep pockets. I was way out of my league. I wonder if the resale prices will be higher or the enthusiasm will fade and they drop.
Yeah, I get the “rarity” angle by the U.S. Mint but I certainly don’t condone the practice!! Ergot, I don’t, and would not even if I had that kind of money, subscribe to the artificial hype over the termination of an era of a coin. It has all the earmarks of getting a huge bang by exciting peoples’ emotions enough to get them to pay $$$$$$.
How does that go again?? Oh yeah, ‘A fool and his money are soon parted’. smh (just my opinion as a realist and a collector)
No collectors got these. Only speculators. Shameful.
Imagine paying 800K for a modern coin that was made only to get suckers to pay up for it. No thanks. The amount of rare classic coins you could’ve bought for that….
Nice
These 232 Omega Lincoln Cent Sets sold for more than four times what I thought they would go for at auction !
Thanks for the article! It made alot of “cents” ;)
Good to read that I am not the only one that thinks the mint should have done this differently. A gold cent set, along with a silver cent set, and a throwback pre 82 copper cent set to be released to the general public. These should have been available to as many people as possible. Wonder how many will be leaving the US borders to find new homes in places that these were never legal tender?
Beautiful set, would have love to been able to get one, the mint has been heading in the wrong direction for a little while now.
Catering only to exclusive clients is only going to deter future and present collectors.
Absolutely historic sale! And amazing to say the least
Great information & keep up the great work
Thanks great information. Some incredible $ for this auction. Appreciate it. Keep up the great work.
They said they were going to sell for a lot of money and they were right.
Oh my! I would love to own this set.
Kind of a sad way to go out. I would have loved to have the opportunity.
Wow, did not expect the prices to be this high. Interesting grades on the gold coin.
And I thought that collecting wheat pennies in my childhood would one day make me rich!
I for one despise these manufactured “rarities” that are done purely to liberate collectors from their money. The mint seems to be doing this regularly lately.
Missing them already
Very Cool
I have 4 rolls of 2004 penny never opened what are they worth
Interesting article
What a nice set. Pretty cool. thank you for the article.
Wow Wow Wow
Hobby of kings indeed
Would loved to have had one.
The kids in our youth coin club will be collecting Lincoln Cents this year, so it will be great to discuss the rich history of the coin with them.
Absolutely disgusted by the mint’s decision to issue these coins, which now put a “complete” Lincoln cent collection out of reach for the vast majority of collectors. Let the deep-pocket crowd have their very special proof sets, but strike 500,000 omegas at each mint (including S and W) and sell those at a reasonable price to the rest of us. Better yet, throw them into circulation. Too bad they defaced the dies and sold those off as well.
Those are really nice offerings hate to see the penny go. I am a 1974s away from completion of a penny book.
Will they do the same when they cancel the Nickel early next year?
They should have released a couple in circulation. It would be so much fun trying to hunt one down.
interesting. should have made more.