Hundreds gather at the Lincoln Memorial to mourn the penny
Hundreds of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to mark the end of the penny. The U.S. Mint stopped making the coin after President Donald Trump ordered its production to halt. The event included speeches, performances, and even a symbolic funeral procession for the one-cent piece.
The ceremony was organised by the Ramp management platform. Attendees filed past an open casket, dropping pennies inside as a final tribute. A special penny-press machine let visitors create custom souvenirs to take home.
Economist Ara Kharazian delivered an ‘autopsy report’ on the penny’s financial impact. He highlighted how production costs had long exceeded the coin’s actual value. Meanwhile, actors dressed as historical figures—including Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson—walked among the crowd. Even John Wilkes Booth made an appearance, adding a dramatic touch to the proceedings. Knowlton Anderson, a direct descendant of President Lincoln, also spoke. His remarks tied the penny’s history to his ancestor’s legacy, noting its role in American commerce for over a century.
The event brought together history, economics, and public sentiment. With production officially stopped, the penny’s future now depends on existing stock and potential policy changes. For many, the ceremony served as both a farewell and a reflection on the coin’s place in U.S. culture.
