The Lucky Coin

The World Trade Center ship gives up its lucky coin.

From Discovery News...

Ever since the 2^nd century B.C. -- not long after Romans began minting coins -- shipbuilders have been slipping a coin into the structure of their ships. It’s a tradition that continues today. In fact, the USS New York - made partially from steel recovered from the World Trade Center towers - did it as well.

For the ancient Romans it was likely a continuation of religious customs. Now it's just a tradition and done for good luck.

"So we didn’t find it during the five days we were actually excavating it. However, one of my curators did find it between the stern knee and the stern post while we were cleaning the timbers."


"It’s only a copper alloy coin. I think it’s of George II, a half penny."