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Lucky Penny Day
A saying goes, “Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you’ll have good luck.” This is really just a modern take on an old superstition. In ancient times, people often thought that metals were gifts from the gods. They thought that metal would bring protection from evil, and started believing that the finding of metal would bring good luck. Besides this belief influencing the modern-day superstition of finding a lucky penny, pennies have also been seen as lucky because they increase wealth, and because wealth is a symbol of power. Some also believe that if you find a penny, more money is coming your way.
Some believe that any found penny willbring good luck, while others believe that only a penny lying face-up should be picked up. The latter thought stems from an ancient belief that there is a battle between good and evil. The heads of a penny became associated with good, while tails became associated with evil—or came to be seen as being unlucky. Those who ascribe to this belief often will flip over a tails-up penny so that the next person who finds it will find it as heads.
The name “penny” may have come from a few things. It may have derived from the word “pawn,” meaning pledge or debt; it may have come from the West Germanic word for “frying pan,” because of its shape; and it may have derived from the Latin word “pondus,” meaning “pound.” The penny is based on theCarolingian denarius, a silver coin that was the main currency in Europe for centuries. Today, various countries use a penny, which is usually the smallest denomination of currency. “Penny” is an informal name for the coin in some countries, such as the United States and Ireland, and it is the formal name for the coin in Britain. In the United States, the formal name for the coin is the one-cent coin or the American cent.
The first penny in the United States was minted in 1787 and was designed byBenjamin Franklin. It was called a Fugio and was made from 100 percent copper. In 1856, theFlying Eagledebuted; it was the first American small cent, andlarge centswere soon discontinued. In 1859, theIndian centwas first minted, and a Native American princess was the face of the penny for a half century.
In 1909, theLincoln centdebuted, marking the centennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. This coin was the first regular issue United States coin to honor an actual person. The reverse of the coin had two ears of durum wheat on it, and the coins were commonly called “wheat-backs” or “wheaties.” During World War II, there were demands for copper on the war front, creating a shortage of the metal at home. Therefore, zinc-coated steel cents were made in 1943; a few were also made in 1944, and are very rare. Beginning in 1959, the sesquicentennial of Lincoln’s birth, and lasting until 2008, theLincoln memorialwas on the reverse of the Lincoln penny. Up until 1982, the penny was 95 percent copper, but it was changed to be 97.5 percent zinc and 2.5 percent copper because the value of copper in pennies had risen above a cent. The copper in pennies is now mainly used to plate them.Four types of Lincoln centswere released in 2009, on the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth, depicting four moments in his life. This was the one year since 1982 when pennies were mainly made out of copper. Since 2010, aUnion shieldhad been on the reverse of the penny.
Some have proposed discontinuing the production of the penny, but there are not yet concrete plans to do so. This is mainly because the penny costs more to make than it is worth. In 2014, it cost 1.67 cents to make a penny. To put this in perspective, in 2013 there were 55 million dollars lost making pennies.
Lucky Penny Day is observed next on Thursday, May 23rd, 2019. It has always been observed annually on May 23rd.
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SOURCES:
Sources
- http://www.crystalwind.ca/eureka-amazing/ancient-wisdom/superstitions/the-lucky-penny
- http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/May/pennyday.htm
- http://www.pennies.org/index.php/penny-history
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_(United_States_coin)
- https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/are-pennies-lucky
Related
Greetings, fellow enthusiasts! As a numismatist and history buff with a particular fascination for the intricate tales woven into the world of coins, especially pennies, I find great joy in sharing my expertise on the subject. Allow me to delve into the various concepts embedded in the article about Lucky Penny Day.
The article touches upon the longstanding belief that finding a penny brings good luck, a notion deeply rooted in ancient superstitions. In times of yore, people regarded metals as divine gifts, attributing protective qualities to them. This belief metamorphosed into the modern superstition surrounding the luck associated with finding a penny.
One compelling aspect of this superstition is the dichotomy between heads and tails. The article explains how some believe that only a penny lying face-up should be picked up, echoing an ancient belief in the symbolic battle between good and evil. The heads of a penny are associated with good luck, while tails are perceived as unlucky. This belief prompts some to flip over a tails-up penny in the hope that the next finder will encounter it as heads.
The historical journey of the penny is equally fascinating. The term "penny" has potential linguistic roots in words like "pawn," "frying pan," and the Latin "pondus." The penny's origin traces back to the Carolingian denarius, a silver coin that dominated European currency for centuries. Today, various countries, including the United States, use the term informally, while in Britain, it serves as the formal name for the coin.
The article takes us through the evolution of the American penny, from the Fugio designed by Benjamin Franklin in 1787 to the current Lincoln cent. Noteworthy milestones include the production of steel cents during World War II due to copper shortages and the changes in composition over the years, from 95 percent copper to the current 97.5 percent zinc and 2.5 percent copper.
It's worth noting the commemorative releases, such as the four types of Lincoln cents in 2009, depicting pivotal moments in Lincoln's life during the bicentennial of his birth. The article also raises the debate about discontinuing penny production due to its higher manufacturing cost compared to its face value, citing the 2014 figure of 1.67 cents to make a penny.
To round off this exploration, Lucky Penny Day is mentioned, observed annually on May 23rd. The article provides sources for further reading, including insights into ancient wisdom, superstitions, and the history of pennies.
In conclusion, the article weaves a rich tapestry of historical anecdotes, superstitions, and the evolution of the penny, making it a captivating read for anyone intrigued by the interplay of history, currency, and cultural beliefs.
