National Lost Penny Day
About Lost Penny Day
When is Lost Penny Day? This holiday is always celebrated on February 12
Today is National Lost Penny Day! On this February 12 holiday, you can make a few pennies, by seeking out lost pennies, of which there are probably quite a few in the nooks and crannies of your home. An individual penny may not have a lot of monetary value these days. However, finding a penny is a sign of good luck. Go on a hunt for lost pennies today. Then, pile up some good fortune.
Heads or Tails? For the superstitious among us, finding a penny on the ground “heads up” will bring you good luck. However, if it’s “tails up”, picking it up brings bad luck.
Benjamin Franklin designed the first U.S. penny. The U.S. produced the first pennies in 1787. Since then, billions of pennies have been minted and put into circulation. In 1909, the penny became the first coin to bear a president’s image. It was first released on February 12, 1909, to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday.
Cherish Your Pennies: The United States Mint stopped minting pennies on November 12, 2025. They were first minted in 1793. At the time they were discontinued, it cost two cents to make each penny. Obviously, that is not very economical.
Have a happy and prosperous National Lost Penny Day!!
How to Celebrate Lost Penny Day
Things to do on National Lost Penny Day:
- Seek out lost pennies. Make a game of it. Be sure to include the kids in this scavenger hunt.
- Become a coin collector. Start collecting them.
- Flip a coin (a penny) to help you make decisions today.
- Donate your pennies to a good cause.
- Roll up and cash in your horde of pennies.
- Start a penny collection.
- Throw pennies in a fountain and make a wish.
- Give someone a penny for their thoughts.
- Take a few pennies and buy some penny candy.
- Get them back into circulation.
Today's Quote
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” – – Benjamin Franklin
History and Origin of Lost Penny Day
Eventologist Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith created Lost Penny Day in 1995. According to Koopersmith: “Petty change can make an astounding difference.”
When Koopersmith created this holiday, she did not call it National Lost Penny Day. Somewhere around 2015 – 2018, some internet websites began to add the word “National” to the title.
We did not find a congressional or presidential proclamation to make it a true “National” day. However, considering the subject matter, it should be a national day.
Definition of “National” Days – Discover why it is important to distinguish true National days.
This Day in History
In addition to National Lost Penny Day, here are some other things that happened on this day:
- James Oglethorpe founds Savannah, Georgia. It is the first settlement in the Georgia Colony. (1733)
- Women in the Utah Territory win the right to vote. (1870)
- Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President, was born on this day in 1809.
Related Holidays
People who like National Lost Penny Day will also like:
More February 12 Holidays
Besides National Penny Day, here are more February 12 holidays and events to celebrate and enjoy:
More About Today
This Day in History – Indeed, many other important events occurred on this date. See what happened on this date in history.
Famous February Birthdays – Did you ever wonder what famous people share your birth date? If so, then find out now!
Ecards – Send a free Ecard daily for National Lost Penny Day, or just about any calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Undoubtedly, it’s fun for both the sender and the recipient.
Flower of the Day: Lilacs
Recipe of the Day: Plum Cake
Holiday Insights, where every day in February is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Thus, please join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? Moreover, in addition to National Lost Penny Day, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. February holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.
