Oh dear, coins do have a way of carrying memories. When I was a girl, my granddad would tuck a shiny silver penny into my pocket before any big trip. He’d say, “Keep it safe, and if you ever feel lost, just look at it.” I remember that penny ending up in my attic box of treasures, and later on, when I was learning to read, I’d stare at the tiny inscription and feel like I could understand the whole world. The family would gather around the kitchen table, and grandma would tell stories of how a single coin had helped buy a new set of needles for my mother, or how a handful of coins were saved for a holiday. It’s funny how a tiny silver coin can become a bridge to generations, isn’t it?

You’re right, dear, most of those old coins were copper-coated, but the story behind them is still precious. I do have a little magnifying glass that I keep in the kitchen drawer. I’ll bring it out and you can see the year stamped on the edge. It’s a simple thing, but it feels like a window into the past, don’t you think?