by Doris Lampert

Last week I was traveling through Ohio and stopped at a tag sale. As I was walking from my van (which holds a magnetic sign of my business) I heard a man ask his wife, "When was there a silver penny?" I looked at the windshield of his vehicle and noticed a department of defense sticker. As I quickly greeted them I mentioned the coin was from wartime.

I had figured most people of our older generation would know about the coin, but I'm quickly realizing, it's not as commonly known as I thought. So I would like to share this story from my childhood with all our readers.

My family lived in Florida and traveled to North Carolina every year for our summer vacation to visit family. When I was 8 or so we went to visit the home of Uncle Ed and our cousins. My older sister, brother, my cousin Phillip and I were playing and must have gotten too loud, because my Uncle Ed told us to go upstairs to the attic and play. There was nothing we could harm or get hurt on up there, he said, just old trunks of clothes, toys, pictures and stuff. So Mom gave us permission and off we went.

While the rest were digging in the trunks and checking out all the other stuff, I stumbled across a big old jug full of coins. I showed the jug to the rest of the group. We quickly filled our pockets full of change and headed to the corner store nearby. It had always been one of our favorite places to visit while in Bravard. On the way I took some coins from my pocket to count. One of the coins looked strange. It was a penny but was silver, not copper, like the other pennies. I showed it to the group and we talked about it as we walked, and I put it safely back in my pocket until we got to the store.

I headed straight for the ice cream freezer at the front counter, took out my coins and paid for my orange sherbet with one of them. The unusual silver coin was far from my mind as we enjoyed our cold treats.

Of course there was a second trip, both to the jug and to the store, but never a second thought of the coins. Now, nothing was ever said about the coins or the mess we created up there in the attic, but as I grew older and learned the value of money and old coins, I never forgot that silver penny. It has stayed with me to this day.

I have used ‘Silverpenny’ as my email address, nickname, etc ever since that childhood experience. I have since opened Silverpennys Ice Cream Emporium, which unfortunately did not survive the low economic status of our area, but now open is Silverpennys Antiques and Collectibles. I have added, and continue to add more in a line of Amish Goods … bonnets, aprons, candles, soaps, jewelry boxes, quilts, wall hangers, custom built indoor/outdoor furniture, jams, jelly and more. If you’ve just got to have something and you can't find it, maybe our Amish friends can help you. Come by, stop in and say hi and see what’s in store for you.

I still have antique lamps, collectibles and overstock items. If you don't find what you’re looking for, just ask. I may have it somewhere else or be able to refer you to another person who may be able to help you. (Bear with me as I grow.)

Now, I know you’re probably wondering about the silver penny. Well in reality, it's a zinc "aka" steel penny. It was created during wartime when copper was in short supply around 1943 and the government took copper and used it to make ammunition for the US troops. They replaced copper coins with steel ones, and after the war ended returned to making copper pennies. If you are interested in learning more about the steel penny just research the 1943 steel penny at (usmintquarters.com/steelcents.htm) on the Internet.

Another interesting fact is that our mothers, sisters and anyone else not at war joined assembly lines repairing military planes, tanks, guns and anything else our troops needed. "United We Stand" was a major part of our ancestors’ lives too. People ask why do I spell Silverpennys with ‘ys’ and why not ‘ies’ or ‘y's?’ Well, my answer … silverpennies is plural, meaning more than one of something. There is only one Silverpenny and that's me...

The silverpenny is different, unique and unusual. People don't understand why it is like it is, until after they get to know the facts about it. That's Silverpennys, and that's me...

I hope this has helped you in your search for understanding wartime cents.

Silverpennys Antiques & Collectibles is located in Auburn, KY at 36 Shaker Museum Rd. @ South Union. Hours are

Tues - Fri 10AM - 5PM, Sat 10AM - 5PM, and Sun 1PM - 5PM. Doris can be reached at 270-542-5452. The Silverpennys website is www.antiquesandcollectiblesbysilverpenny.com