A weathered penny lay in a blue transparent case on a well-organized shelf, surrounded by books and little knick-knacks. Its edges were worn, its engravings almost erased by years of hardship. This coin was once proudly minted in 1873 with a flying eagle printed on one side.

The coin’s journey began by passing from hand to hand, pocket to pocket, its shiny surface dulled by countless dealings with machines. One dark day the life of the penny took a tragic turn. It was a cold winter evening when its owner dropped it out of their pocket on New York City Street—forgotten and kicked around by bike wheels, bottoms of shoes, and dog paws.

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months as the penny lay among the dirt and filth of the ground. It got very lonely as it made its way up and down the streets of New York. When all hope was lost the penny was found by a man.

Most people who walk and see a penny on the ground leave it where it is because they are lazy or think, “It’s just a penny, It’s not worth much.”  The man happened to be someone who valued unwanted things. He was a collector of coins. To him, it was an interesting piece for his growing collection of treasures.

He brought the penny home and examined it under the soft glow of his desk lamp. The worn engravings and the fainting outline of the flying eagle intrigued him. He decided to clean it with a soft cloth to wipe away the grime accumulated over the months on the streets.

As he worked, he marveled at the penny’s age and the journey it must have taken over the years. The man had other things to look at. He placed the penny carefully into a small box on his desk planning to look up the history of the penny another day.

Days passed as the man was busy with his day job and life. The penny lay forgotten once more, though now in a safer place than before. It shared the box with other coins, each had its own stories waiting to be told but none quite as unique as the penny’s.

A few weeks later the man decided to learn more about his coins collection. He picked up the penny and decided it was time to learn more about the penny. He researched the 1873 penny with the flying eagle. As he read, his eyes widened. The penny was the rarest of its kind. A valuable piece minted during a year when production was limited. The penny alone could be valued around $8,000-$10,000.

Excited, he wanted to verify the information. He took it to a professional appraiser. The appraiser confirmed its uniqueness and value. The man was astounded. This humble penny had gone through many hardships and was a precious coin. The appraiser wanted to buy the penny, but the man said no because it was an honor for him to put it into his collection.

The penny had finally found a home where its value was known. It is no longer just a weathered piece of metal but a cherished piece with a story to tell. In its new home in the blue transparent jar, it is safe from harm. Its journey of hardships transformed into a testament to its enduring value.

The penny’s journey ended where it had always belonged—among other cherished unique treasures, it’s worth is recognized by someone who truly loves its history and rarity.

– Rylee McCullough