MyStory

I inherited these two coins from my mother when I was a child. Since the coins (minted in 1940 and 1919) were not in circulation, she gave them to me to use as toys. In her time, the coins, one ½ cent and the other 1 cent, could be used to buy various daily essentials like eggs and biscuits. While in my time, food costs a minimum of 5 cents.

During those days, we used these coins to play improvisational games. One of us would throw a coin while the others would try to hit that coin with their own. Should he make a successful hit, that coin would belong to him. Thereafter, we would play for the most coins.

Another one of our simple childhood games was to spin a coin, close it with your right palm and then proceed to guess the side that was facing up.

Adults too, had their own unique coin traditions. After praying to the ancestors, they would throw two coins to determine if their ancestors had their stomachs filled. If one coin showed heads and the other, tails, they inferred that their ancestors were properly satisfied with their food. Hence, they could keep that night’s dinner for the entire family.

I have these old coins and notes too. Check it out!

Article migrated from original My Story Portal 2007.
Author. Mantou28