“Find a penny, pick it up. All-day long, you’ll have good luck.” Or something like that, right? But why? Why will you have good luck if you swipe a penny off the sidewalk or discover one between the couch cushions?
Some of the beliefs about pennies came from ancient civilizations that had strong ties to metals and their gods. They believed that items such as copper were gifts from the gods. If you found some, you snagged it because it would provide protection from evil.
Legend also has it that you just can’t go around picking up a penny any old way! If you find a penny heads up, it is associated with good, and therefore free for the taking. If you should find one trailside up, however, leave it be! It is considered unlucky – even if it could bring a little more wealth without luck.
A lucky penny can be even luckier when they are of a certain kind. For example, the Indian Head Penny and the Wheat Penny are both considered lucky because of their rarity and higher value. The Indian Head Penny was in circulation from 1859 – 1909 when the Wheat Penny was introduced. The circulation of the Wheat Penny ended in 1956.
Whether you believe in the luck behind the penny, it is still always fun to find a nice, shiny penny throughout your day!
FAQs
Many also believe that when you flip a coin, a heads-up penny is lucky, while getting the tail side is unlucky. Or perhaps it's because the shiny copper color of a new penny is visually appealing, symbolizing brightness and prosperity in one's life.
What are the rules of a lucky penny? ›
Superstitions carry on from generation to generation. And with some of them the rule that says if you find a penny tail side up, you should flip it over and leave it head side up for the next lucky person to find. On a wedding day, there's also a saying that leads people to put a penny in the bride's shoe.
What is the lucky penny belief? ›
The lucky penny may have ancient religious origins.
Therefore, if you passed a metal coin and didn't pick it up, you'd forfeit any luck or wealth that might come your way. Additionally, many believed these metals could protect from evil, so keeping one on your person could help ward off any negativity.
What's the saying about finding a penny? ›
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.
Which way is lucky to find a penny? ›
Finding a penny heads up meant good, you'd have luck on your side, but tails up would mean the opposite, although we're not sure how that reasoning came about. Some say that if you find a penny tails up, you should flip it over to make it heads up so that it can bring luck to whoever finds it next.
What means lucky penny? ›
luck penny (plural luck pennies) (archaic) A small sum of money given back for luck when paying. synonym ▲quotations ▼ Synonym: God's penny. A coin carried or given for luck.
What are the rules to penny can? ›
OFFICIAL RULES OF PENNY CAN
- If the penny goes in the can, you get a point.
- If it doesn't, you don't get a point and have to take a drink of alcohol (if you're of legal drinking age).
- You have to yell "PENNY CAAAAAN!" in a quiet, sing-song tone of voice, when someone successfully makes a shot.
For some people find a penny heads up is good luck, but tails up is bad luck, for others heads up means it is good for gambling spells and tails up for wealth spells in general #inspiringthought #findmoney #witchtok #witchcraft #witchesoftiktok #witchy #witches #brujablanca #brujasdetiktok #withcrafttiktok # ...
How long does a lucky penny last? ›
The idea is simple. If you find a penny on the street, and pick it up, it brings you good luck for one day.
What is the penny theory of luck? ›
If you find a penny heads up, it is associated with good, and therefore free for the taking. If you should find one trailside up, however, leave it be! It is considered unlucky – even if it could bring a little more wealth without luck. A lucky penny can be even luckier when they are of a certain kind.
Traditionally, the Sixpence, a coin from England, has been placed in the Bride's left shoe before walking down the aisle, as a good luck wedding ceremony coin.
What is Lucky penny day? ›
(KOIN) — National Lucky Penny Day is an unofficial holiday that falls on May 23 and celebrates the history and luck of the one-cent coins. The occasion is also a great time to teach kids a fun lesson about the penny while also teaching them a bit about math.
Do pennies bring good luck? ›
Pennies are. believed to be harbingers of good things and. celebrated as a lucky item in many cultures!" We hope you find your own lucky penny today!
What is the spiritual meaning of a penny? ›
Or we may sense an angel or God has contacted us on our loved one's behalf to let us know that all is well. For some people such signs and messages come in the form of coins, a phenomenon known as “pennies from heaven.” Pennies from heaven are a type of after-death communication.
What is the old saying about a penny? ›
The saying "a penny saved is a penny earned" takes us back to the 17th century. While it's often credited to Benjamin Franklin, he didn't coin the actual phrase. He did write, “A penny saved is two pence clear” in one of his advice columns for the 1737 Poor Richard's Almanack.
Is it worth it to pick up a penny? ›
Free money!” It was even believed to be a sign of good luck to find a penny and pick it up. Today, however, many people walk right past pennies because they don't believe it is worth their time or effort to stop and pick it up. That is because today a penny is worth almost nothing.
How long do you keep a lucky penny? ›
The idea is simple. If you find a penny on the street, and pick it up, it brings you good luck for one day.
