Hundreds gathered at Washington, D.C.’s Lincoln Memorial for a mock funeral after the U.S. Mint ended penny production, closing a 230-year chapter. Organized by financial platform Ramp, the event featured presidential reenactors, eulogies, and an “autopsy” explaining rising costs and diminished utility—signaling a symbolic shift in America’s smallest denomination.
Ceremony overview
A crowd assembled at the Lincoln Memorial to “lay to rest” the penny, complete with a casket, eulogies, and theatrical tributes to the coin’s legacy. The send-off followed the U.S. Mint’s halt to penny production, ending more than two centuries of minting. The event was hosted by Ramp.
Actors portraying Abraham Lincoln and other presidents attended, with a Mary Todd Lincoln impersonator delivering a eulogy. The spectacle mixed solemnity and satire, drawing curious onlookers and enthusiasts to witness the moment the penny “passed” into history.
Ramp economist Ara Kharazian presented an “autopsy report,” citing rising production costs and low practical value. Reports noted the halt was announced by President Trump, underscoring economic rationale behind the decision.
Important points and major takeaways
Historic end: Penny production ceased after roughly 230 years of minting.
Public farewell: Mock funeral held at the Lincoln Memorial, hosted by Ramp.
Star-studded satire: Reenactors of Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson—and pop culture figures—joined the crowd.
Economic rationale: Ramp’s “autopsy” highlighted high minting costs vs. limited utility.
Cultural moment: A ceremonial goodbye that blended humor with monetary policy commentary.
Conclusion
The penny’s mock funeral captured a uniquely American moment—part pageant, part policy conversation—signaling how sentiment and economics collide when retiring a cultural artifact of everyday life. As small-change realities shift, the era of copper-colored coins closes with a theatrical, public goodbye.
Sources: Fox News; WHMI 93.5 FMWHMI 93.5 FM; CommsTrader