I had just pumped gas into my vehicle and was walking into the store, when a penny caught my eye. I’m not one for superstition and worry about whether the coin is heads up or tails up, I just always pick up the deserted coin and say “In God we trust.” Into the pocket the penny went. When I got back to the car, I showed my daughter. I told her to check the year on the penny. With her young eyes, she read and said, “1927”.
“1927!” I exclaimed. “Wow! That penny is 94 years old!” Imagine the stories this penny could tell.
That is a lesson I remember having some of my students complete over the years. Depending on the age, they would either have to write about the travels their penny had been, or they would have to research historical facts about the year their penny was minted and write a historical story about its travels.
When the evening had settled in, I researched about the value of a 1927 penny and the historical facts that occurred in that year.
A few historical facts I discovered were:
- Charles Lindbergh flies The Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic nonstop and solo, direct from New York City to Paris, as the first solo transatlantic flight.
- Henry Ford reveals the Ford Motor Company’s newest vehicle, the Model A, during December.
- The Jazz Singer opens October 6th and becomes a huge success, marking the end of the silent film era.
- Work begins on Mount Rushmore. It was completed on October 31st, 1941. (The year my mom was born.)
- Calvin Coolidge was the president.
- The Great Mississippi Flood affects 700,000 people in the greatest national disaster in US history.
While researching the value of a 1927 penny, I read that one penny could be worth $1,000. You should have seen the expression on my face. Now, due to the condition my penny is in, it is most likely not worth very much. It is quite tattered. I may be lucky for it to be worth $0.05, but to me, it is a priceless lesson on preserving history, rediscovering history, and the value of something.
Speaking of value, do you realize how priceless YOU are? Yes, you. God says that you are precious to Him. He loves you so much that He sent His One and Only Son to die for you. The Lord practically has you tattooed into His hand.
But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us. Romans 5:8 ERV
You are precious to me, and I have given you a special place of honor. I love you. That’s why I am willing to trade others, to give up whole nations, to save your life. Isaiah 43:4 ERV
I drew a picture of you on my hand. You are always before my eyes. Isaiah 49:16 ERV https://soakinguptheson.com/new/daily-journaling/the-handprint/ Isaiah 49:6
It doesn’t matter how tattered you are, Jesus loves you just the way you are.
Your value doesn’t decrease or fluctuate over time with God. To Him, you are more valuable than anything!
Now, there may be something that becomes more and more of a treasure to you. You will discover the more you get to know God the more precious your time is with Him. The deeper your relationship is with Jesus, the more wisdom and knowledge you gain, and that worth immeasurable.
Friend, I pray that you live like Paul encouraged the Philippians, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Grow closer to Jesus Christ and fall in love with His word. May you stand strong in your faith and radiate God’s love.
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Philippians 1:27 NLT
You are worthy!
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
Sources:
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1927.html
https://cointrackers.com/coins/13545/1927-wheat-penny/