# Would you pick up a penny? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 13, 2001, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081 "2001-11-13T05:56:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JubilationTCornpone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee59a6/32.png) [@JubilationTCornpone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JubilationTCornpone)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/1 "2001-11-13T05:56:32Z")
Well, would you? ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/2 "2001-11-13T06:10:58Z")
Yes ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/3 "2001-11-13T06:11:20Z")
I do it all the time. I’ve been saving pennies since my son was born almost 11 years ago. At last count, it was over $500.00. He gets it when he’s 16. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/4 "2001-11-13T06:15:00Z")
Yes. Unless you’re talking about a girl named Penny, in which case I wouldn’t pick her up. Unless she’s fallen down. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/5 "2001-11-13T06:16:12Z")
If I’m the only one around, yes. Otherwise it might belong to someone around me and that could get embarrassing. That’s my penny. No, it’s _my_ penny. ---
**Author:** ![DPWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DPWhite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPWhite)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/6 "2001-11-13T06:16:26Z")
Sure. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/7 "2001-11-13T06:21:49Z")
No. In fact, when I grab a handful of change from my pocket or car door, I usually throw out the pennies. ---
**Author:** ![Justin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ab097/32.png) [@Justin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/8 "2001-11-13T06:58:26Z")
I did, as a small child. Later, when i found out just how much one was worth, i decided i would leave them for somone who actualy needs it. ---
**Author:** ![Hazel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Hazel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazel)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/9 "2001-11-13T07:24:21Z")
No. Not worth the trouble. I wish the govt would discontinue the penny. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/10 "2001-11-13T07:44:43Z")
## _ahem_ See a penny pick it up and all day you’ll have good luck Especially if it’s face-up ---
**Author:** ![Cougarfang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c67d28/32.png) [@Cougarfang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cougarfang)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/11 "2001-11-13T10:12:55Z")
yeah, if only because it’s fun to puzzle storekeepers with them. common for friends to bet five to one odds that the guy won’t notice that it’s a penny and not a NT (Taiwanese currency, which, incidentally, looks rather like a penny) heh-heh-heh… ---
**Author:** ![Nortia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Nortia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nortia)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/12 "2001-11-13T10:30:51Z")
> [@](#): > > ## \*Originally posted by Osiris \* \*\*_ahem_ See a penny pick it up and all day you’ll have good luck > > Especially if it’s face-up \*\* If you give it to a friend Then your luck will never end. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/13 "2001-11-13T13:16:43Z")
A collegue at a school where I was a temporary supply teacher in London used to pick up all the loose change that the kids would drop in the playground - at the end of the term, so he told me, he would have between £8 and £13. Good enough to down a few to celebrate the holidays!! ---
**Author:** ![Amazing\_Tiki\_God](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazing\_Tiki\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazing_Tiki_God)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/14 "2001-11-13T13:29:10Z")
Yup I always pick up pennies but only if they are heads up. ---
**Author:** ![Frumious\_Bandersnatch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Frumious\_Bandersnatch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frumious_Bandersnatch)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/15 "2001-11-13T13:33:54Z")
Yep. Every one gets me one cent closer to my next million $. ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/16 "2001-11-13T13:43:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Amazing Tiki God \* > \*\*Yup I always pick up pennies but only if they are heads up. \*\* The only one with the correct answer 😉 (me too & then I make a wish 'cause I’m silly like that) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/17 "2001-11-13T13:50:30Z")
Sure do. Save them in my plastic yellow smiley face bank and when it’s full, take them to the Coinstar at the local ShopRite. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/18 "2001-11-13T14:24:44Z")
Nah. I don’t even pick up dimes and nickels unless I’m at home. ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/19 "2001-11-13T15:35:06Z")
Dad and I both used to drive Datsun Z-cars (his was a 1972 240Z, mine a 1984 280ZX). For those of you who are not familiar with the design, they are two-door cars and have rather long doors. Dad used to work at the Ameron plant in Burkburnett, Texas, which has a (mostly) dirt-and-gravel parking lot. He got out of his Z one day, and saw a penny on the ground. He said he was going to just leave it there, but then he changed his mind. “Who am I, that I am so rich I can’t even stop to pick up a penny?” he thought. So Dad bent over to get the penny, and hit his head on the (still open) car door. He needed stitches, and I don’t think I have to tell you that costs more than a penny. Dad and I don’t pick up pennies any more. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081/20 "2001-11-13T15:36:28Z")
Assume it takes one and one-half seconds to pick up a penney. Calculate the equivalent rate per hour of picking up pennies. 60 seconds divided by 1.5 seconds is 40 cents per minute. To arrive at the rate per hour, multiply 40 cents by 60. Your result is $24.00 per hour, my children. And that’s tax-free. Yes, I pick up pennies. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pick-up-a-penny/93081.md?page=2)