Gift idea 3: Give good luck
Christmas is almost here! This article is the third in a series of seven, each proposing a unique and original gift idea to treat your nearest and dearest this festive season.
And there is one gift category that, while adding a touch of mystery, also includes the charm of ancient legends:
Lucky coins
Budget: From €5
Lucky coins, whether originating from ancient cultures or popular traditions, symbolize much more than just a collectible item.
They bear witness to ancient beliefs and are believed to bring good luck, protect against misfortune, or even grant the most cherished wishes.
Giving a lucky coin as a Christmas gift is like offering a little bit of magic.
The lucky Irish penny
This tradition appears to go back a few centuries. During livestock transactions, it was customary for the seller to return a penny to the buyer for good luck.
Failure to honor this gesture could see misfortune befall both parties. The tradition then evolved over time and became more generalized.
Since the 20th century, the lucky penny has generally been a “Pingin”, bronze penny issued from 1940 to 1968 and designed by Percy Metcalfe. The obverse features the traditional Irish harp, while the reverse depicts a hen and chicks.
With a lucky penny, we give – and receive – good luck and good fortune.
The British sixpence
In the United Kingdom, it is the silver sixpence which brings good luck.
Among other traditions, customs, and concepts attached to this coin is the practice of stirring a sixpence into the Christmas pudding each year on Stir-up Sunday. Finding the shiny treasure in your bowl is said to bring you wealth and good luck for the year to come!
The Japanese 5 yen coin
In Japan, we are riding the wave of misinterpretation, or rather advantageous interpretation, with the 5 yen coin.
The Japanese term “Go-en” refers to those seemingly serendipitous encounters that result in long and meaningful relationships and is written as 御縁 (or ご縁). The word for the 5 yen coin is also pronounced “Go-en” but is written as 五円.
This fortunate homophone led to this tradition combining the material and the immaterial. Many Japanese believe that holding one of these coins in your hand will help you to discover what the universe has in store for you. They are often commonly placed in the offering boxes at shrines while making a wish for the future.
Angel or genie?
There is a legend attached to The Gold Angel coin designed by the revolutionary engraver Augustin Dupré.
Legend says that the golden angel engraved on the coin (which, it should be noted, was only struck in gold after his death) in his pocket saved his life at the last minute as was standing on the platform waiting in line to lose his head to the guillotine.
Even Napoleon Bonaparte believed in this angelic figure and thought that the absence of the coin in his pocket (he had lost it just the day before) cost him the victory at the Battle of Waterloo. Similarly, sailors and soldiers carried the 20 franc gold coin with them for protection well into the 20th century.
The irony remains that the figure is presumed to be an angel despite the ingenious engraving having been created during a period rejecting religion and glorifying the Republic.
Even if it isn’t true, the story of this lucky angel is still appealing, nonetheless.
The Chinese cash
The Chinese cash is an ancient copper coin with a square hole pierced through its center.
Its symbolism is obvious: the square in the center represents the four corners of the Earth while the outer circle shape symbolizes the heavens around it. The union of these two shapes illustrates the harmony between the celestial and terrestrial forces.
According to tradition, three of these coins strung on a red cord are said to bring joy and prosperity.
For an optimal effect – and given the very reasonable price of these coins which are both authentic and steeped in history – it makes good sense to acquire three, instead of just one, so as to take full advantage of their beneficial virtues.
Here is a selection including all of these lucky coins to give as gifts.
We’re sure that these wonderful items will delight anyone looking for a gift just as curious as it is unique.
P.S.: And if you are thinking of giving someone a wallet as a gift, don’t forget to slip in coin for good luck! In many countries, an empty wallet can signify the recipient is poor or there are financial difficulties to come in the future...
Sources :
- https://www.couteaux-morta.com/en/coins-and-traditions/
- https://explore.blarney.com/lucky-irish-penny-the-history-origins-and-traditions-behind-this-timeless-charm/
- https://www.all-your-coins.com/en/blog/antique/comment-identifier-les-monnaies-romaines
- https://coinsandhistoryfoundation.org/2021/06/16/the-seven-luckiest-coins-in-the-world/
