The very last circulating pennies, or “cents,” will be auctioned in a special sale this December by Stack’s Bowers Galleries, the firm selected by the United States Mint for this historic offering. Each of these coins bears a small “Ω” privy mark of the final Greek letter, indicating their role as the capstone of a two-century-long legacy that began in 1793.
These Omega privy-mark Lincoln Cents will be offered in three-coin sets featuring one each of the 2025 penny (struck at the Philadelphia Mint), the 2025-D penny (struck at the Denver Mint), and a historic 2025 penny struck in 24 karat gold (produced at the Philadelphia Mint).
The 24 karat gold penny is a true modern rarity, representing the first cent officially struck in gold and one of the rarest non-Proof gold coins to ever emerge from the United States Mint.
Only 232 three-coin sets are available for collectors, celebrating the number of years pennies were produced beginning in 1793, and they will be offered exclusively in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries sale on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
Each set will be accompanied by a serialized Certificate of Authenticity and set #232 will also include the three sets of canceled original dies used to strike these coins.
United States Treasurer Brandon Beach and United States Mint Acting Director Kristie McNally also personally operated the presses to strike the final few Omega coins, in recognition of their historic significance.
These coins boast the lowest mintages in the Lincoln penny series and are some of the rarest coins of the entire penny denomination that spans back to the “Alpha” of 1793. This mintage is more than 2,000 times lower than that of the famous 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln penny and only a fraction of the production quantity for the original 1793 Chain Reverse pennies that started it all.
Though many thousands of collectors are actively assembling sets of Lincoln pennies at any given time, only 232 will have the opportunity for true completion via the Stack’s Bowers Galleries sale this December.
“We are extremely honored to once again present a historic selection of modern rarities on behalf of the United States Mint,” said Stack’s Bowers Galleries President Brian Kendrella. “These Omega privy mark Lincoln pennies are a fitting celebration of one of the most popular and influential denominations in American coinage.”
To further recognize the significance of these historic pieces, all coins will be certified by leading grading service PCGS and encapsulated with bespoke labels designed exclusively for this auction event.
They will be added to the popular PCGS Set Registry, which allows collectors to better document and showcase their collections, as well as compete with other collectors.
These Omega pennies will also be reviewed by Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC) to confirm their superior quality and eye appeal.
Live bidding for these three-coin Omega privy mark sets, each of which includes a 24 karat gold penny, will begin on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 12PM EST (9AM PST). The auction will be hosted on the Stack’s Bowers Galleries website www.StacksBowers.com and broadcast from Griffin Studios in the firm’s Costa Mesa, California headquarters.
In recognition of this historic offering, Stack’s Bowers Galleries will waive the Buyer’s Premium on these special Omega privy mark sets, meaning that the highest bid on each lot (the hammer price) will be the final amount paid by the winning bidder (excluding shipping fees).
Remarkably, this sale will represent the fifth time Stack’s Bowers Galleries has been selected by the United States Mint for a special auction, following their $7.5 million sale of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens $20 in July 2002, their $4.6 million sale of 35th Anniversary American Eagle coins in September 2022, their $8.2 million sale of 230th Anniversary Flowing Hair coins in December 2024 and their $3.2 million sale of the Space Flown 24 Karat Gold Sacagawea dollars in September 2025. No other auction firm in the world—specialized or generalist—boasts this repetitive selection by the United States Mint.
For more information about the Stack’s Bowers Galleries sale of the historic Omega privy mark Lincoln pennies this December, or to consign your collection, contact the firm by calling 800-458-4646 or by emailing [email protected].
I think it bull crap to addiction of the coins for the mint will not offer them to the public for a price it’s just to show that only the rich are the ones to own them and the mint to become richer and collect the money
I have been a collector since a kid and these should have been put in a special lottery for all collectors to have the chance to own one set. But as you can see this is aimed at profits ALWAYS and small collectors who actually keep coin collecting alive will always be treated as outsiders. IMO, collectors should just say no to all mint products for one year to hurt the mint where it counts…in their finances or pockets. Another beef I have is this being the final year of active use,the pennies should have been struck in copper.Also when purchasing Proofs at extreme premiums why does the mint not strike those coins in copper? Instead,paying$150.00 for a Silver proof cent gets you a copper clad zinc penny. These people are so cheap that eventually the coin collecting industry will return to the days when it was on the verge of extinction. This is a rich man’s hobby…not an every man’s hobby as it was decades ago.
I completely agree with George. I’d like to know how this is legal, too. Most things like this require an open and competitive bidding process by interested parties to contract with a government agency like this. Also, there are no “pennies” in the law. They are cents. Pennies are British. If the author (“Stack’s Bowers”) wanted to demonstrate they actually know their stuff, they should’ve written “cents, or ‘pennies'” rather than the reverse.
Besides wanting to own one of the omegas, really wish I could’ve been there for those final presses. How cool a moment must that have been.
Yes George , I agree with you . Pretty sad it is . I would love a chance to get that set . But I don’t have that kinda money I’m sure
Would’ve been great to witness up close the final pressing of these pieces.
I totally agree with George very un fair of the mint greed it’s such crap on there part this should be for the people mint a million with the omega for the public
The US Mint could have minted these for the public to find in circulation like the W mint mark quarters.
Oh look; A function for the 1% ers to spend their pocket change on.
Sad that only the rich get the “good” stuff. Makes me want to sell my collection and move on.
Often in our society it is common as such. Whether it be the casino that gives out the 1 -$100000 car to the one winner rather than give away 100 $10,000 cars to 100 people so that many more can become a part of a historic event.
ARE THE SETS STILL FOR SALE.
Random omega marked coins could have been offered with sales of mint sets to increase interest of those with less means but interest in a chance at collecting a final special coin.
Have to say – I totally agree with all of you regarding the sale of the Omegas.
Shame on all those at the mint that agreed this was the ‘thing’ to do. Wonder if any of them will be putting in a bid.
A lot of great articles too brush up on, thanks
There should be a raffle for some of the sets so everyone has a opportunity to own one
I agree! This is aimed at a certain class that can afford to spend thousands of dollars on three 1 cent pieces. This definitely seems shady at best.