25 June 2024 , 08:00
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Rare coins are hard to come by, but when you find one you'll be wondering what the history of it is - and whether it's worth anything.
That's exactly what happened to one man, who found a peculiar-looking coin in his wallet but had absolutely no idea how it got there.
A recent post on Reddit's r/weird forum read: "My buddy found this coin in his wallet today and doesn't know where it came from." It was accompanied by two pictures of the coin, which look nothing like something you'd get in your change from a supermarket.
In the comments, people theorised about what it could be. One wrote: "According to a coin collector's website it's probably an imitation of something called a 'Widow's Mite'." Another responded: "This is it. My mum and dad carried them. They're spiritually significant and monetarily insignificant."
According to Roma Designer Jewellery, the widow's mite coin has symbolism and significance. They said: "The coins' representation of the widow's sacrificial giving resonates with the values of compassion, generosity, and humility, reminding wearers to give selflessly and prioritise the needs of others.
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"Additionally, widow's mite jewellery serves as a reminder of God's acknowledgement and appreciation of even the smallest acts of faith. The story of the widow's mite reminds us that our offerings, regardless of their size, hold value and significance in the eyes of the divine."
Someone else joked on Reddit that the coins must be spiritually significant if they "just appear in your wallet like that!". Another Redditor pointed out: "That coin is mentioned in the Bible."
A third quipped: "Your friend is now a target of the Chechnyan Illuminati. Tell him to be careful." And a fourth wrote: "As others have said, 'Widow's Mite' possibly a Prutah replica. How it got there? I don't know. Maybe a reformed pick-pocket using their skills to put little mysterious blessings in people's wallets. Thereby getting their endorphin kick from successfully removing and replacing someone's wallet and yet not violating their new covenant by stealing?"
According to Grand Rapids Coins, a genuine and well-preserved widow's mite coin can be worth hundreds. But given how pristine this one looks and the fact they were minted more than 2,000 years ago, the one seen on Reddit is almost certainly a replica.