I just found a 1942 Wheat penny

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

As coinage, of course, it's almost worthless. However, it's probably traveled a million miles by pocket by now. If it could only talk...

It's been in existence 13 years longer than I. When it was minted the Nazis were gearing up for The Final Solution (to the Jewish question). World War II was well underway.

The first safe self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction was accomplished by Erico Fermi, Edward Teller and Leo Szilard at the University of Chicago.

The Declaration of United Nations was signed in Washington. (The U.N. officially formed in '45, replacing the League Of Nations.)

The Japanese Relocation Camps were being formed.

Radar was introduced.

Federal spending totaled $35.14 billion.

The Federal debt totaled $79.2 billion.

The cost of a postage stamp was three cents.

The World Series ended as St. Louis Cardinals defeated the NY Yankees (4-1).

Casablanca was released.

Bing Crosby first sang "White Christmas".

That beat-up little disc of metal has seen more history and been more places than many of us here. It's a real pity it's seeing so much of it for a second time. My great hope is that it doesn't all happen a third time. Perhaps we'll grow up a bit before my penny is taken out of circulation or is lost in a crack in a floor somewhere.

We can only hope.

[friesianrider]

1. Cool post!

I think about that stuff too. If only that little piece of metal could talk of its travels :)

[AlienGirl]

2. I have a 1933 wheat penny

The year it was minted, FDR gave his "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself" speech.

Tucker

[REP]

6. Worth $3 - $5

[BlueIris]

3. I have a 1936 wheat penny.

Also worthless. Just a fun piece of history.

[REP]

7. Worth .25 - $1.00

[hickman1937]

4. In the 80's my ex used to sit with the kids and look for wheat straws.

The kids were like 2 and 5yrs old, didn't know shit about money, but snapped to attention every time there were pennys attached to a transaction. Obnoxious and sweet. Like your mother-in-law backing over a cliff in your brand new dream car.

[REP]

5. Worth Between .40 - $1.50

[ashling]

8. I have bags of Wheat pennies

Other than hoping that they will be valuable some day ( not in my lifetime),
I just think they are cool.

I also have some silver dollars ... mostly from the 1920s, I think.

I too think about things like that, being a history buff.

I have 4 Silver Certificates (paper money). Other than historical and sentimental value, I have bo idea what these are worth.