Find a penny, pick it up, all the day, you’ll have good luck.
Not necessarily.
According to the ancient cultures, metal was a gift from the gods. It was given to those men who needed protection against evil spirits. Since pennies are metal, this superstition may have originated from that.
Some believe good fortune only happens if you give the coin to someone else. I’d never heard that part of the superstition. It’s also considered super lucky if the cent you find is minted in the year of your birth.
In Ireland, some claim if you spit on a penny and throw it into the bushes, fairies or leprechauns will take it as payment for good luck. I don’t think it has to be one you find, it can just come from your pocket!
Naturally, the luck of a penny doesn’t come from its value. But, I imagine we can agree that pennies make dimes and dimes make dollars, and that makes them worth saving!
However, if you should possess a 1969-S Lincoln cent with doubled die obverse (double-stamped) on both sides, then it’s worth about $35,000.
A 1970-S small date Lincoln with a doubled die obverse is worth around $3,000. Why less? Because it’s only double stamped on one side.
Not sure when the heads up—good luck, tails up—bad luck, came into play. Do you pick up a penny if it’s tails up? Let me know in the comments for a chance to win a digital advance reading copy of my new book, True. Due for release, June 15!
