Remember the saying “if only these walls could talk?”
Well, I have this penny that I received as change for a fuel purchase at a local gas station about a month ago and I thought the same here “if only it could talk.” The likeness of President Lincoln is very worn and its date that really caught my attention is 1919. I had to get a magnifying glass to confirm that. It has been around for 102 years now and has survived world wars, skirmishes, riots, hurricanes and so far this pandemic that’s into its 10th month.
On the brighter side it may have brought a smile to a youngster purchasing a “penny candy” years ago from a glass jar in a local grocery; it may have been placed in a church’s offering plate as well. It may have spent some time in “penny loafer” shoes and attended a special dance; or once was pitched into a wishing well or fountain to bring good luck.
“Find a penny, pick it up and the rest of the day you will have good luck.” Maybe it settled a difference, or started a World Series game with the question “heads or tails?”
This one cent piece is referred to as a wheat cent because the reverse side has two wheat stalks pointing upwards. It was the designer’s choice to use these. My thought perhaps these are amber waves of grain from America the Beautiful song. Just my thought.
The penny has a raised rim on each side which seems to help protect the images. Hmmm… a rim like a border to protect. Yards have fences to do such, States and countries have borders for protection as well. There is small raised script inside and near the protecting rim that everyone that has handled this coin has touched and has had their lives touched by: LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.
Now: a penny for your thoughts!