12 lucky coins from around the world
(Baonghean.vn) - The custom of giving lucky money during Tet (Vietnamese New Year) is not unique to Vietnam; many Western countries around the world also commonly practice this tradition. Each place uses a different currency, and many offer coins with unique engraved designs, as shown below.
1. The 5 Yen coin of Japan
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| The 5-yen coin also has a pronunciation that coincides with another Chinese character meaning "to form a bond" or "to get married". |
The 5-yen coin is made of brass, and is larger and heavier than the 1-yen coin. In Japanese, the 5-yen coin is pronounced "go-en," which is a homophone of another Chinese character meaning "to form a connection" or "to get married," so it is considered a lucky coin.
According to folklore in Japan, if someone puts a 5-yen coin in their wallet after receiving their first monthly salary, they will always be financially secure afterward.
When giving a wallet as a gift, the Japanese always remember to put a 5-yen coin inside, hoping that the recipient will never have to worry about money.
2. One-penny coin - Ireland
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| One side of the Irish lucky coin features a harp – the symbol of the country. |
Native Irish people believe that their penny brings good luck to anyone who receives it. Some accounts even recount that vendors in the past had a custom of returning a penny to customers as a wish for good luck with their purchase.
Another reason for its value is that it was only minted during a limited period (1928-1968). After that, they were all recalled and melted down, with only a few being hoarded by people and, 35 years later, becoming highly sought-after items by Irish collectors.
3. Peace Silver Coin – USA
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| Despite being worth only one dollar, this coin holds immense significance in the lives of Americans. |
Although it's only worth $1, the coin"peace"It holds great significance in the lives of American people.
This coin was in circulation in the United States from 1921 to 1935 and was considered a lucky coin because it featured an engraving of the Statue of Liberty.
Furthermore, the meaning of good luck also lies in the Western concept that "having $1 in your pocket means you always have money."
4. One pfennig coin – Germany
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| The one pfennig coin is one of the symbols of good luck for the Germans. |
The one-pfennig coin is one of the symbols of good luck for the Germans.
According to ancient German beliefs, this coin had the power to ward off evil spirits and drive witches away from the village, and therefore it was often attached to the doors of houses as a protective charm.
Today, the one Pfennig coin is also known as"one cent"And it is often used as a gift by people because of its significance in spiritual life.
In particular, the one-pfennig coin is considered to bring the greatest luck if you happen to find it on the road.
5. One dollar coin - Canada
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| Lucky Loonie is considered a "lucky charm" for Canadian athletes in many international competitions. |
Also affectionately known as the Lucky Loonie, Canada's 11-sided gold coin was first put into circulation in 1987. At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the Lucky Loonie became a symbol of good luck in Canada after Trent Evans, a member of the hockey team, secretly placed it under the ice on the playing field.
Thanks to this, both the men's and women's hockey teams from Canada won gold medals at that year's Olympics. From this story, Canadian athletes often secretly carry a Lucky Loonie coin with them to international competitions.
6. 5-cent coin – Falkland Islands
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| Engraved with the image of a seagull – a symbol of those who spend long hours at sea – the 5-pence coin was considered a lucky charm for sailors on the Falkland Islands. |
The Falklands are an archipelago located in the South Atlantic Ocean, covering an area of 12,200 square kilometers, and are a British overseas territory. The 5p coin circulating on the islands features a large albatross with outstretched wings.
These birds are considered a symbol of the joy of returning home for sailors and those who have been at sea for long periods around the world. The timely appearance of these birds is a sign that land is ahead. The story of these fortunate voyages has been passed down through generations on the 5-cent coin of the Falkland Islands.
7. Sixpence coin – England
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| The British sixpence coin features incredibly elaborate and unique engraved designs. |
The British sixpence coin, with its incredibly elaborate and unique engravings, is considered one of the most famous lucky coins in the world.
The front of the coin features an image of Queen Elizabeth II, while the back depicts four symbols representing the nations that make up the United Kingdom: the English rose, the Irish shamrock, the Welsh leek, and the Scottish starfruit.
For centuries, brides in the United Kingdom believed that placing a sixpence coin in the heel of their shoe during the wedding ceremony would bring prosperity to their marriage. Therefore, in addition to being used as a New Year's gift, the sixpence coin is also given as a present to brides.
8. Angel Gold Coin – France
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| Napoleon Bonaparte is believed to have kept the Angel gold coin with him, but he later lost it just before the Battle of Waterloo. |
Legend has it that when Augustine Dupre – the designer of the Angel coin – was sentenced to death, he held this coin in his hand while praying. The executioner, seeing this, allowed him to trade it for his life. Since then, possessing an Angel coin has been considered lucky.
Napoleon Bonaparte also kept an Angel gold coin with him throughout his conquest of Europe until he lost it. This was just before the Battle of Waterloo.
9. One Singapore dollar coin
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| Both sides are meticulously carved with a Bagua (eight trigrams) pattern near the edge of the coin. |
Around the 1980s, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew issued a Singapore dollar one-dollar coin with two sides meticulously engraved with a Bagua (eight trigrams) symbol near the edge of the coin.
Immediately after its release, this coin was regarded as a symbol of good luck for all who possessed it. Most Singaporeans always carry a one-dollar coin with them, believing it to be a sacred talisman.
Beyond its spiritual significance, the one-dollar coin is also a symbol of wealth and prosperity for the people of Singapore.
10. Buffalo Nickels - USA
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| The Buffalo Nickels coin is worth only 5 cents, but it still holds great significance in everyday life. |
Buffalo Nickels, also known as Hobo Nickels, feature an image of Native Americans on one side and a bison on the other. In the past, although Buffalo Nickels were only worth 5 cents, their distinctive design allowed them to be exchanged for a warm blanket, a meal, or a place to stay overnight for the homeless.
11. The US $2 bill
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| The 1976 US $2 bill |
The 1976 US $2 bill is considered one of the luckiest bills in the world. This bill was issued by the US Federal Reserve to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the country's independence (July 4, 1776).
This is a very special banknote; it marks 200 years of the history and development of the United States of America.
12. 2018 Australian Gold-Plated Coin
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| 2018 Australian gold-plated coin. |
The front of the 2018 Australian gold-plated coin features an engraved image of a resilient dog, symbolizing "steadfastness and loyalty." Accompanying this is the inscription "Year of the Dog," alongside the Chinese character for "Dog."
The front of the silver-plated dog coin features a stylized image of a family of dogs protecting each other, symbolizing the virtues of "unity and sharing." The reverse of both the gold and silver coins depicts Queen Elizabeth II, currently the Queen of the Commonwealth, which comprises 53 countries from Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.














