Last week marked the official end of the penny’s 232-year production run as a circulating coin.

The Mint has now announced that the last circulating penny coins will be auctioned in December through a special sale of 232 three-coin sets, each including two circulating pennies, one from each of the Mint’s production facilities in Denver and Philadelphia, and – for the first time ever – a 99.99% 24-karat gold uncirculated penny, also minted in Philadelphia.

Kristie McNally, the Mint’s acting director, said: “The Mint is excited to share this opportunity with the American public.

“The penny has withstood 232 years of our nation’s history, and we are proud to offer the chance for the public to celebrate this moment into perpetuity by purchasing one of these special sets.

“It truly an honour to continue ‘connecting America through coins’ [the Mint’s stated mission].”

Each set will be accompanied by a serialised Certificate of Authenticity, with the final set, set number 232, including the three original dies used to strike these coins.

The coins will bear a unique Omega (Ω) privy mark, signifying each coin is among the last of the circulating pennies ever struck by the Mint.

The unique number of sets recognises the 232 years of penny production.