National Lost Penny Day (February 12)
National Lost Penny Day on February 12 is a fun reminder that even the smallest change can add up.
From digging through couch cushions to starting a penny jar, this quirky holiday encourages you to appreciate spare change and think differently about saving.
It’s also a great way to introduce kids to basic money skills and show how small habits can make a big difference.
When is the Holiday?
It is celebrated every year on February 12, which also happens to be Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, fitting, since his face appears on the penny.
Who Invented It?
The holiday was created in 1995 by Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith, an eventologist known for inventing quirky celebrations. Her goal was to show how overlooked pennies can still have value when saved over time.
The History of the Holiday
The U.S. penny dates back to the late 1700s, with Benjamin Franklin designing an early version. In 1909, Abraham Lincoln became the first real person to appear on a U.S. coin.
The holiday grew from the idea that small coins, often ignored or lost, can add up to something meaningful. Over time, the holiday has encouraged people to collect spare change and rethink the value of small savings.
Top 5 Facts About the Holiday
- The U.S. Mint produces billions of pennies each year.
- A penny could buy a newspaper in the early 1900s.
- The Lincoln penny was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person.
- Some pennies are worth far more than face value to collectors.
- Many countries have dropped their smallest coins, but the U.S. penny remains.
Coloring Page
Grab the free National Lost Penny Day coloring page below for a fun way to talk about saving and money with kids.
Activities to Celebrate
- Search your home for loose change and count what you find.
- Start a penny-saving challenge and track your progress.
- Create penny art or simple crafts.
- Use worksheets to teach kids how to count money.
- Visit a local coin shop to learn about rare pennies.
Links to Resources
- Coin Identification Worksheets – Learn all of the U.S. coins with preschoolers.
- Fun Counting Pennies Worksheets – Free printable worksheets to teach kids the value of pennies.
- Penny Savings Challenge – A great way to save over $600 in a year with spare change.
- 100 Days of School Penny Art Project – A creative way to use pennies for art.
- The 365 Day Penny Challenge – Save money with an easy daily challenge.
Related Holidays
- National Lucky Penny Day (May 23) – Celebrates good fortune and spare change.
- National Thrift Shop Day (August 17) – Focuses on saving money and sustainability.
- National Cut Your Energy Costs Day (January 10) – Encourages smart saving habits.
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