‘RIP Penny’: Lincoln Memorial fills with ‘mourners’ staging hilarious goodbye to the U.S. penny
'The penny poured out all its good luck for us and saved none for itself,' Roya Fox said.
After around 230 years, the U.S. has officially announced the discontinuation of the penny, per BBC News. The Philadelphia Mint made its last batch in mid-November this year, marking the end of a historical reality. The news has been greeted differently by the internet, and many have shared mixed opinions. However, hundreds united on Saturday, December 19, 2025, at the Lincoln Memorial Center to hold what they’re calling a funeral for the penny, per FOX News. Arranged by the Ramp management, everything from a casket, mourners, and even a supposed Abraham Lincoln impersonator were present at the event to bid a witty and proud goodbye to the coin that holds a million memories, according to The Washington Post.
The production of a single penny cost around four cents, and as an initiative to save resources and reduce waste, the penny was discontinued. The move is estimated to save around $56 million a year after a 2022 Federal Reserve survey revealed that 60% of the pennies produced were in households, likely in piggy banks, making them unfit for trade. In a video shared by Roya Fox (@royaventureera) on December 21, several people gathered at the so-called funeral to pay their last respects to the penny. While for some it was just a thing to do out of wit, for others it was a trip down memory lane. Many who marked their childhoods with the penny showed up, and the setting was just like a funeral.
An empty casket, posters celebrating the life of the penny, eulogies, a procession, and even mourners dressed in black. Many went out of their way to dress up as iconic historical U.S. figures who initiated and reigned during the lifetime of the penny. These included former President Abraham Lincoln, former First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and other personalities like Santa Claus and Pennywise. All donned the traditional English attire from the previous centuries; even Fox wore Victorian funeral clothing, covering her face and body in black.
An entire order of service was shared for fellow mourners, and you could tell the event was planned to the T. Posing as Todd Lincoln, the woman also gave a speech. One statement was, “‘Find a penny, pick it up, and all day you’ll have good luck.’ Who here has said this phrase before? The penny poured out all its good luck for us and saved none for itself. If only the penny could have picked up another penny for good luck.” The event had people traveling from all over to witness an extraordinary goodbye. Anna Kate Spotts, a 29-year-old speech pathologist who came from Baltimore, said, “I think it’s very special to be able to take a moment of my life to celebrate, you know, something that has lasted through generations.”
And that’s what the internet thinks too. @sarah.nollina said, “Screaming into my pillow because I didn’t know this was happening and I missed it.” @alessi.ballassa added, “Obsessed with this. Why didn’t I get invited?” As of today, around 300 billion coins are still in circulation, and it is going to be a game-changer for businesses and U.S. citizens without the penny.
You can follow Roya Fox (@royaventureera) for more content on humor and lifestyle.
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