The other day I came across a random Mexican coin that came back with us from one of our trips. It crossed my mind to throw it away like so many unwanted trinkets, but I resisted the urge. I'm not sure why.
The fact is, I found that I have a psychological aversion to junking currency. It isn't just Mexican coins that I have spared from a dark demise. I have found myself shuffling around others such as a Franc, and various Canadian coins at different times. Even the American Penny has extremely little actual worth, but I don't pitch them either.
It isn't my desire to become a coin collector. I usually just end up place them here and there until they get lost anyway. No, it is something else.
As a child it was not uncommon for me to witness my parents scrounging up spare change to find a way to pay for gas or a gallon of milk. I certainly have found myself doing a lot of the same in my adult life. One theory I have, is that being broke simply teaches you the value of small change. Only, that doesn't explain why I would save a single French "penny". You can't exchange that small of an amount of money, and I have no plans to travel internationally in the near future.
Another theory is that it feels disrespectful to throw away money in particular. Like making a snap judgement on the economies of the countries who back these coins. Declaring that these coins will forever remain valued at next to nothing. However, this theory seems far-fetched (even for a lighthearted blog article).
The other possibility is that I recognize the intrinsic value of a metal coin. On some level the ore mined and processed to make these coins has value no matter what border you cross. This too, is a thin argument. I don't have a forge for melting down metal. I also don't know of a metal recycling place where you can turn in a quarter of an ounce at a time.
My final theory is that i am simply exercising my packrat instincts. I tend to save things. (Somewhere Diana is nodding her head emphaticlly in agreement) I am working on it, but the reasons people store things are many and it is a particularly difficult habit to kick.
I suppose the real reason for my actions is a kaleidoscope view of many of the things miss-mashed together. We are complicated beings.
- Posted from my iPhone
We have a few of those too. There is always the possiblity that you will visit the country and remember to bring along those few cents!
ReplyDeleteIt must run in the family, Shane, Jordan saves all kinds of strange things that I'd just as soon throw away, his latest collection is one of old glass bottles. I suppose I'll have to store those for the next 20 years until I can sneak them in the trash! I'm so mean:)
ReplyDeleteI am a pack rat too. I think we get it from both sides.. Mom and well, Grandma B. They both save EVERRYTHINGG.
ReplyDelete