If you find a coin on a loved one’s gravestone, you had better know what it means

We all have different traditions when it comes to commemorating and paying tribute to our loved ones who have passed away.

In today’s world, honoring the customs of others while commemorating the lives of the departed ought to come as standard practice. Some may choose to follow traditions or practices that the rest of us are not familiar with, but it doesn’t make them any less legitimate.

The same is true with gravestones and the ornamentation certain families choose to place over their loved ones’ last resting places. Coins being placed on headstones is one custom that is widely practiced and that you have probably witnessed at some point. However, why is this even a thing? And from whence did it originate? Continue reading to learn more.

Coins are traditionally placed on gravestones in cemeteries around the United States and other countries. When I was a little child, I first observed it when I was at my grandfather’s tomb, and even then, I started to wonder what it was all about.

Luckily, finding the beginnings online doesn’t need much research. Although it was previously thought that the practice originated with Roman military troops, a number of sources have disproved that theory in recent years.

Still, there’s a military connection to leaving pennies on gravestones. The American Legion Website states on one of its pages that it can be linked to the Vietnam War.


“Leaving a coin was considered a more practical way to communicate that you had visited the soldier’s grave than contacting the soldier’s family, which could devolve into an uncomfortable argument over politics relating to the war, due to the political divide in the country over the war.”

There are other reasons why veterans leave pennies on gravestones in memory of their fallen friends; occasionally, they do so in order to purchase a beer for them. Each coin represents a different meaning, according to reports.

For instance, a nickel is left by someone who served in boot camp with the deceased, whereas a penny just indicates that someone was present.

On the other hand, a dime represents a combined period of military service. Next are quarters, which inform the family of the presence of whoever left the coin at the moment of the loved one’s passing.


Ever notice a penny left on a gravestone? Were you aware of its meaning? Tell us in the comments below.

Related Posts

She stole Mick Jagger’s heart in the 70s. This supermodel is 68 years old now

Jerry Faye Hall was born on July 2, 1956, in Gonzales, Texas. Raised in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite, Jerry was the daughter of Marjorie, a medical…

This supermodel has an unforgettable face. Check her out at 60 years old

Elle Macpherson, born Eleanor Nancy Gow on March 29, 1964, in Killara, a suburb of Sydney, Australia, is a globally recognized model, actress, and entrepreneur. She was…

My son made a new friend — I was shocked to discover who the girl’s mother turned out to be

Life hasn’t been easy since my husband’s passing. My son, Mike, became withdrawn and didn’t talk to anyone, so I thought moving towns and enrolling him to…

In the 70s, everybody had a crush on her. She was a true beauty, today at 74 she still looks great

Cybill Shepherd’s name resonates with fans of classic Hollywood glamor and television’s golden eras. Her career has been a journey of transformation, resilience, and undeniable talent, making…

My MIL Showed Up to Thanksgiving Dinner Hiding Something Under Her Sweater — Everyone Went Pale When Her Secret Was Revealed

Thanksgiving dinner at my house was supposed to be a regular family gathering, but when my mother-in-law, Linda, arrived, she was acting strangely. She was clutching her…

Poor Mom Buys Kid’s Backpack at Flea Market, Tiny Purse with Amulet Falls from Inside — Story of the Day

Rachel met her husband, Fred, in foster care. Both were orphaned at a young age and soon became each other’s entire lives. They married shortly after finishing…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *