2026-05-23

National Lucky Penny Day 2026

1955 Wheat Cent

    
Today is National Lucky Penny Day.

It goes down each year on May 23.

It is held in honor the popular folklore and superstition that finding a dropped coin brings good fortune.

I personally collect 1955 wheat cents because they were minted the year I was born. They haven't been all that lucky for me however.

The most common tradition is the classic rhyme:

Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck !

Folklore states that finding a coin with heads facing up brings luck. If you find one face down tails, it's tradition to turn it over so the next person can find luck.
Many people celebrate by carrying a penny in their wallet to attract wealth, tossing one into a fountain while making a wish, or visiting a local penny press machine to create a custom souvenir.

Regardless, it doesn't hurt to participate in these folksy tradition which have been around longer than I have.

Happy National Lucky Penny Day and I hope you are lucky all the days of your life !