If Coins Could Talk, What's the Craziest Story Your Coin Would Tell?

The April 25, 2025, poll respondents have vivid imaginations.

If coins could talk, what is the craziest story one of your coins would tell?

The April 25, 2025, poll respondents have vivid imaginations.

Numismatic News Staff

If one of my coins could talk, it would tell the story of its travel and adventures from when it was first minted from the silver mines at Potosi to life aboard a Spanish galleon. It would tell about how it was stored in a chest with his brothers and sisters and exchanged for goods and services at various ports of call. It made its way to markets, taverns, and banks. It met thieves and sailors, merchants, and captains. It would describe his journey from the Americas to Spain, along the East Coast of what would become the U.S., to Africa and the Far East. He constantly traded hands and was stored in all manner of cabinets, purses, pockets, sewn into clothing and buried in bags beneath the ground. The coin would have much to tell about what he saw, where he traveled, and the life he lead.

Name and Address withheld

My 1914-D Lincoln cent would say, "Thank you for saving it from the shelf in a pawn shop, rolled up with a bunch of common cents. " I paid $1 for the roll.

KE, Germantown, Ohio

I was minted in 1862 in Philadelphia. During some of the financial transactions of the construction of my house in Iowa during the Civil War, I was found to be just the right size shim to be used behind the mirror above the fireplace mantle. Many Christmas celebrations and family gatherings have taken place over the years. Then, in September of 2007, someone adjusted the mirror, and I rolled out to the wonder and awe of my new family.

Name and Address withheld

You swallowed me when you were three!

My sister and my mom had the mumps when I was three. So, I went to stay with my grandparents. Grandpa collected coins; somehow, I swallowed a penny. The hospital was called, and breathing was not restricted. Doc told Grandma to watch my diaper for the next few days. Grandpa kept that penny with a picture of me until he passed when I was 21. Then the picture was passed on to my father, where it sat on his desk until his passing 2 years ago. It's my turn to treasure it now.

Name and Address withheld