Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.091.B |
Object Name |
Coin, Commemorative |
Title |
William Trent House Lucky Penny |
Description |
This keychain features a dark brown copper penny encased in a silver horseshoe-shaped metal frame. All inscriptions on both the penny and keychain are engraved. At the top, there is a circular silver string, adorned with numerous beads, used to attach the keychain to other objects. The string is threaded through a tiny circular hole near the top of the keychain, which is surrounded by a four-leaf clover. The clover and hole separate the words "AND" and "NEVER" in the engraved phrase around the edges, which reads: "KEEP ME AND NEVER GO BROKE." These words are slightly elevated and follow the curve of the horseshoe shape. Below the hole and four-leaf clover is the front of the penny. At the top of the penny, the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" are engraved. Below that, there is an image of President Abraham Lincoln wearing a suit and bow tie. To the left of Lincoln is the word "LIBERTY," and to the right, the year "1984." The penny is framed by a circular line with an oval-shaped pendant at the bottom. Above the line, the words "I BRING" are engraved, and below the line, the phrase "GOOD LUCK" appears, with the pendant separating the words "GOOD" and "LUCK." On the back of the keychain, there is an elevated rim. Below the rim and circular hole, the words "WILLIAM TRENT HOUSE" are engraved. Beneath those words, there is an upside-down image of the reverse side of the penny. As a result, the inscriptions and images are reversed and upside down. At the top of the penny, the words "ONE CENT" denote the coin's value. Below that, the Lincoln Memorial is depicted, with large Roman columns in front. Below the Memorial, the small inscription "E PLURIBUS UNUM" is visible. Further below, the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" appear, with "ONE CENT" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" forming a circle around the penny. Beneath the penny, the words "BUILT 1719. TRENTON, NJ" are engraved, and the words "WILLIAM TRENT HOUSE" and "BUILT 1719" also form a circle around the penny. According to williamtrenthouse.org, William Trent immigrated to America in the early 1690s and became a successful merchant and slave owner in Philadelphia. In 1714, Trent purchased a tract of land in western central New Jersey from Marlon Stacy and built a home there in 1719. He officially moved from Philadelphia to this property in 1721, and the house would later become known as the Trent House. Before Trent's ownership, the land belonged to the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans and was referred to as "Lenapehoking." The city of Trenton derives its name from the phrase "Trent's Town," referring to the area surrounding the Trent House. Citations: Home. WilliamTrentHouse. (n.d.). https://www.williamtrenthouse.org/ |
Date |
1986 |
Material |
Copper, Metal |
Artist |
United States Mint |
Height (in) |
3.250 |
Length (in) |
1.750 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Corrosion and discolorations throughout Front: There is corrosion on some of the metal balls on the string. There is a black discoloration on the top of the keychain near the middle. There is corrosion all over the penny. And finally, there is a brown discoloration on the bottom near the left side. Back: There are brown accretions all over the metal. There is corrosion all over the penny. And finally, there is a scratch on the bottom near the left side. |
Inscription Type |
Inscription |
Inscription Location |
Front, Top to Bottom, Left to Right |
Inscription Technique |
Etched |
Inscription Text |
"KEEP ME AND NEVER GO BROKE" Line 1 "I BRING" Line 2 "GOOD LUCK" Line 3 Penny "IN GOD WE TRUST" Line 1 "LIBERTY" Line 2 "1986" Line 3 Back, Top to Bottom, Left to Right "WILLIAM TRENT HOUSE" Line 1 "BUILT 1719" Line 2 "TRENTON, NJ" Line 3 Penny "ONE CENT" Line 1 "E PLURIBUS UNUM" Line 2 "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" Line 3 |
People |
William Trent |
Classification |
Historic Sites People |
Subjects |
Historic buildings Historic sites City & town life Cities & towns People associated with politics & government Government employees |
Search Terms |
Trenton William Trent Silver Copper Metal Coin Penny 1719 Commemorative Coin Keychain Trent House Four Leaf Clover Pendant Luck Never Go Broke Horseshoe Brown Lincoln Memorial Abraham Lincoln United States Mint 20th Century William Trent House Lucky Penny |
Provenance |
Found in collection |