Mock Funeral Held at Lincoln Memorial Marks End of Penny Production After 230 Years
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a unique and somber ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday, a mock funeral was held to mark the end of the penny’s 230-year run in American currency. The event, organized by financial management platform Ramp, drew a crowd of onlookers and participants who gathered to pay tribute to the one-cent coin, which was discontinued earlier this year following an announcement by President Donald Trump.
The decision to cease production of the penny came amid rising costs that made minting the coin economically impractical. According to the United States Mint, the cost to produce a penny had exceeded its face value for several years, prompting the administration to take bold action to halt its manufacture.
At the memorial, actors portraying former President Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln delivered eulogies, adding a theatrical yet poignant touch to the proceedings. A striking portrait of Lincoln, composed entirely of pennies, was displayed as a centerpiece, symbolizing the coin’s historical significance and its enduring connection to the 16th president.
Other historical figures made appearances as well, including impersonators of Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who stood solemnly among the mourners. In a surprising twist, an actor portraying John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s assassin, was also present, adding a complex layer to the narrative of the penny’s legacy. The crowd’s eclectic makeup included people dressed as Santa Claus and Pennywise the clown from Stephen King’s “It,” reflecting a blend of reverence and lightheartedness.
Economist Ara Kharazian from Ramp delivered an “autopsy report” on the penny’s economic demise, outlining the financial inefficiencies that led to its retirement. The penny’s discontinuation follows a growing trend of reevaluating low-denomination coins, as noted by the Federal Reserve, which has studied the impact of removing the penny on commerce and pricing.
The ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial was more than just a theatrical farewell; it was a reflection of changing times and economic realities. The penny, first minted in 1793, has been a staple of American currency and culture for over two centuries. However, as production costs soared, the government faced mounting pressure to reconsider its place in the modern economy.
President Trump’s administration made the call to end penny production as part of broader efforts to reduce government spending and improve fiscal responsibility. The Department of the Treasury supported the move, highlighting the inefficiency of continuing to produce a coin that cost more to make than it was worth.
The mock funeral attracted national attention, with coverage by major outlets such as Fox News capturing the event’s blend of history, humor, and economic commentary. The gathering served as a symbolic moment for Americans to reflect on the penny’s role in everyday life and the evolving nature of currency in the digital age.
While the penny’s production has ended, its legacy endures in the collective memory of the nation, immortalized at one of the country’s most iconic landmarks. The mock funeral at the Lincoln Memorial stands as a testament to the coin’s historical significance and the economic forces that ultimately led to its retirement.
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