See a Penny...
...pick it up, all day long, you'll have good luck
Even in modern times, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who does not believe that finding a penny on the ground is a sign of good luck - even if they don't believe it extends beyond the simple chance of finding money.
Summary
"Find a penny,
pick it up,
all day long,
you'll have good luck.
Find a penny,
leave it there,
all the day,
you'll have despair."
"Find a penny,
pick it up,
all day long,
you'll have good luck.
Pass that penny,
to a friend,
your penny luck,
will never end."
As the rhyme says, finding and picking up a penny can bringing you good- or potentially ill- fortune.
Historical Basis
It is possible that this belief may have originated during ancient times, when metal was believed to be pure and/or a gift from the deities, capable of lending protection to people, keeping them safe from evil spirits. Therefore, if you found a metal (particularly copper) penny on the ground, picking it up and carrying it with you would be seen as a sign of protection from the gods - they were literally protecting the ground you walk on.
Other academics theorise that the old wives tale was, in fact, brought about by an Old Pagan saying being passed by word-of-mouth. The saying was based upon a ritual involving a so-called 'lucky pin' used in good luck incantations in the past.
Spread
The myth was most commonly believed within the UK, Europe and parts of Asia, but has now spread enough that the rest of the world has heard of it and many cultures have their own beliefs surrounding the luck of coins.
Variations & Mutation
There are many different stories surrounding lucky pennies. One variation of this myth says that the position of the coin affects your luck. It is suggested that if the coin is heads-up, you can pick it up happily and will no-doubt experience good luck. If, however, the coin is tails-up, taking the coin with you will only bring you bad fortune. The coin should, instead, be either turned over for the next person to find or be passed on to someone else the same day you found it to ensure you own good luck.
In Ireland and some parts northern Europe, pennies were originally believed to be from other Realms, particularly from the Fae. It was said that, if you found a penny, you were supposed to throw it into the bushes or other foliage in order to send it back to the Realm it came from. In return for the coin, the Fae would grant the Human finder good luck and fortune in the future.
Even today, in many Western countries, brides will sometimes place a penny inside one of their bridal shoes before walking down the aisle, in order to bring luck and fortunes into their coming marriage. This is based on the saying 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a lucky penny in the shoe!'
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