The Tradition of Tossing Coins for Luck

People all around the globe have been tossing coins into fountains, wishing wells, and rivers for good luck for many years.

This tradition has been portrayed in numerous movies, from Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" to the 1954 film "Three Coins in the Fountain," as well as in the lyrics of popular modern songs like "Call Me Maybe."

Throwing coins into fountains is a tradition that many people are familiar with and often take part in. When visiting Rome, it is almost a rite of passage to toss a coin backwards into the Trevi Fountain, in hopes of one day returning to the city. It is a superstition that is deeply ingrained in the culture.

But have you ever wondered why people do this and what actually happens to all of the money that is thrown into these fountains each year? Some fountains end up collecting thousands, or even millions, of dollars worth of coins annually.

The custom of throwing coins into wishing wells dates back to Roman-British and Celtic mythology, although its exact origin is unknown. It is believed to be a way of offering money to spirits or supernatural forces believed to reside in or travel through water, a cleansing element essential for life.

In England's Northumberland County, one of the oldest examples of a wishing well can be found where people used to make offerings to the goddess Coventina. Researchers at UC Irvine have discovered thousands of coins within the well dating back to eras between the first and fifth centuries, proving that this tradition of throwing coins has been passed down through generations.

Many cultures in the past used offerings like food, special stones, carved artifacts, and herbs. However, with the introduction of coinage in modern-day Turkey between 500 BCE and 600 BCE, people started using money instead.

Coins are often designed with images, texts, and symbols that are perfect for rituals. According to anthropologist Bill Maurer, offering a coin is a significant way to show respect to a higher power if someone believes in its existence and wants it to help them.

"People don't really focus on the payment itself, but rather on the almost magical quality they believe the coin possesses," he explained. "It symbolizes sovereignty and serves as a token of authority."

Throughout history, certain cultures have favored specific metals like silver for their offerings. However, Maurer pointed out that the actual monetary value is not the main concern. "It's more about the concept of making a sacrifice. The Gods aren't interested in capitalism."

"Three Coins in the Fountain" cast members throw their loose change in Rome's famed Trevi fountain while on-location for the movie in 1954.

"Three Coins in the Fountain" cast members throw their loose change in Rome's famed Trevi fountain while on-location for the movie in 1954.

20th Century Fox/Courtesy Everett Collection

Healing powers?

Throughout history, the tradition has evolved, extending beyond water. Stefan Krmnicek, an anthropologist from the University of Tuebingen in Germany who studies coinage, has documented cases in East Asia where people have thrown coins into airplane turbines for good luck. For instance, in 2017, an 80-year-old woman delayed a flight in Shanghai for five hours when a coin she tossed as a prayer ended up in the engine.

People have visited various well-known wells and waters over time, such as the Well of Pen Rhys in Oxford, believed to have water with healing powers. Some coins thrown into these waters may have prayers attached. Additionally, centuries ago, people would place coins into the wood of boats for good luck.

The belief in superstitions transcends cultural and economic boundaries. Even at prestigious places like Sotheby's Auction House, art buyers are known to place coins at the feet of statues of Ganesha, the deity associated with good luck and success in overcoming challenges.

The Bellagio Hotel & Casino's water fountain lake is viewed from Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino on August 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Bellagio Hotel & Casino's water fountain lake is viewed from Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino on August 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

George Rose/Getty Images

Some famous fountains can gather a lot of money in coins annually. In 2016, the Trevi Fountain collected around $1.5 million in coins, as reported by NBC. (CNN's request for updated figures from the organization in charge of collecting these coins went unanswered.)

In the classic children’s novel “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” two runaway children secretly living at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City live on the coins they collect from its fountains each night. They were, perhaps, collecting a small fortune.

Private fountains can bring in big money, too. A spokesperson for the Mall of America in Minneapolis told CNN the fountains collect about $25,000 each year. Thousands of dollars reportedly accumulate annually in other fountains, including those across Disney Parks and Las Vegas casinos.

A Catholic non-profit receives coins from the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The city workers collect the coins each night and distribute them to charities. Other non-profits can also apply to receive money from the fountain donations at the Mall of America.

Sometimes, the coins in the fountains simply stay there. Maybe they are helping to keep the wishes made by visitors alive.

And bypassers “don’t really want to collect them,” Maurer said. “Sometimes they are donated to charity but people are usually not keeping the money; that would be considered bad form.”

Editor's P/S:

The tradition of tossing coins into fountains, wishing wells, and other bodies of water for good luck has a rich history rooted in ancient beliefs and superstitions. From the Roman-British and Celtic mythology to modern-day rituals, the act of offering money to supernatural forces or spirits has evolved over time. The coins themselves hold symbolic significance, representing respect, authority, and a desire for divine favor.

Despite the widespread nature of this practice, the fate of the coins collected in famous fountains is intriguing. Some, like the Trevi Fountain in Rome, generate substantial revenue that is often donated to charities. Others, such as the fountains at Disney Parks and Las Vegas casinos, accumulate significant sums that are likely used for maintenance and upkeep. However, in certain cases, the coins remain in the water, perhaps as a testament to the wishes and hopes of those who tossed them. This fascinating tradition continues to captivate people around the world, offering a glimpse into the enduring power of superstition and the human desire for good fortune.