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Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day

On Take a Penny/Leave a Penny Day, spread kindness and generosity by paying it forward with spare change. Every penny counts!

Saturday

August 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEAugust 8

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYPhilanthropy

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Mark your calendars for August 8 because it's Take a Penny/Leave a Penny Day! This unique holiday has been observed since the early 20th century and is all about promoting kindness and generosity in our daily lives. The concept of taking or leaving a penny at a store counter may seem small, but it represents a larger idea of giving back to those in need. So don't forget to bring your pennies on this special day and spread some positivity and goodwill with every transaction. Who knows, you may even receive some good karma in return!

TIMELINE

Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day Timeline

United States Introduces Lincoln Penny

To celebrate the 100th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. Mint introduces the Lincoln penny.

Penny Tray Origin

General stores in the United States began using trays for customers to donate or use pennies for transactions.

Penny Trays Become Common

Penny trays become a common sight at cash registers in businesses across the country.

Penny Production Changes

Due to rising copper prices, U.S. pennies started being made with zinc cores plated with copper.

Online Penny Initiatives

Online drive initiatives are created to gather pennies for charity.

Notable Penny Collecting Record

A man in Texas made news by purchasing a car with pennies he had saved for 65 years, highlighting the value of penny savings.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day

Spread kindness with pennies

On Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day, leave a trail of pennies around your neighborhood with inspirational notes attached. This will not only brighten someone's day but also spread the message of kindness.

DONATE

Donate to a charity

Gather up all your spare change and donate it to a charity or organization that helps those in need. Every penny counts and can make a difference in someone's life.

CREATE

Create a penny art project

Get creative and make a piece of art using pennies! It could be a mosaic, a sculpture, or even a painting. This is a fun way to celebrate Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day while also showcasing your artistic talents.

PLAY

Play a game with pennies

Gather some friends and have a penny throwing or flipping competition. The winner gets to donate all the pennies to a charity of their choice!

START

Start a penny jar

Create a jar specifically for collecting pennies and make it a habit to add spare change to it every day. Once the jar is full, donate the money to a charity or use it for a fun activity with friends or family.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day

It unites communities

Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day brings people together as they exchange coins and engage in friendly interactions. It's a reminder that small acts of kindness can create a sense of connection and unity among strangers.

It promotes generosity and kindness

Take a Penny - Leave a Penny Day encourages people to share their extra change with others in need. It reminds us to be generous, helpful, and compassionate towards our fellow human beings.

It helps reduce waste

By taking advantage of the spare change left behind by others, we can help cut down on the amount of money that goes unused or is thrown away. This small act of sharing can have a positive impact on the environment and our resources.