A Penny in the Palm, What Does it Mean?

A question for masons and/or well informed regular joes.

Awhile back, Id say about 5-6 years ago I was working at the local shell gas station. I used to talk about all kinds of conspiracy/paranormal things with my coworker a lot of which Id read about on this very site. We had plenty of time to talk when we worked the graveyard shift, seeing as how we'd get about 1-2 customers all through the night and morning. One night in particular I was rambling on about masons with my coworker, eventually getting to talking about all the weird stuff on the dollar bill. It was at least midnight and very quiet as usual when this old scrawny guy comes walking in. I set the dollar bill aside and when the guy came up to the counter I noticed he had a huge gold ring on with a big ol mason symbol right in the middle with a skull and crossbones on one side and a number I believe was thirty something on the other. It looked a lot like one of those rings all the jocks buy in high school so everyone knows where they graduated from.

So of course I asked him if he was a part of the masons and he proudly told me he was. We spoke for a few minutes, mostly me asking him a bunch of questions. I dont remember most of the conversation, actually the only thing I remember is him telling us that masonry wasn't a secret society, it was a society with secrets.

The big thing that stuck out in my mind was that I've seen a lot of guys wearing mason rings but never one with a skull and crossbones. Also, this guy had an extremely intense aura around him, nothing I could see of course, just something I could feel quite strongly. My coworker felt this as well. I didn't feel uncomfortable or anything, it was just an extremely strange sensation thats is really difficult for me to describe. He seemed very mysterious and I felt he was powerful in some way. Don't ask me what it means it's just the feeling I got from him. I've never encountered ANYBODY thats ever made me feel as weird as this guy did.

Anyways we finish our conversation and he heads out the door. About 5 minutes later while my coworker and I were discussing the odd conversation we just had with him he comes wandering back in again. He walks up to the counter and firmly says to hold out our hands palms up. We complied and he spreads his arms out and places a penny face up in the center of our hands. I asked him what it meant. He told me that I'd figure it out one day and when I did he'd come see me. Then he quickly walked back out. I thought about it for awhile and and I still have no idea what it means. I never did see the guy again either.

I've pondered the meaning of it for awhile and I've been meaning to post my experience here forever so I could ask the "experts" what the heck he was trying to show me

SO.... any ideas?

reply to post by PlausibleDeniability


The skull and crossed bones is an emblem of mortality; a reminder that we are all human, and that we will all die at some point in our lives. We are taught that we should always be prepared for death (as no one knows exactly when it's coming) but never to fear death.

Many organizations use the skull and crossed bones as such an emblem.

In fact the Masonic Knights Templar, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Columbus not only use this symbol, these three often include the words "Memento Mori" (Remember Death).

Other groups that use or have used it include Knights of the Golden Eagle, Knights of Pythias, several college fraternities and at least one college sorority that I know of.




As for the penny, that's quite interesting. I've never seen anyone do this to a non-member who was not a candidate for the Entered Apprentice Degree. The basic Masonic rituals (the three Symbolic or Blue Lodge Degrees) have been exposed to the public since the early 1700's so it's no secret that there is a certain mode of preparation for a candidate who is to receive the degrees. Part of the preparation includes divesting him of any metallic substance. It is explained that we are not to bring anything offensive or defensive into the Lodge, because the principles of Masonry, forbidding the one, render the other unnecessary. The newly made Entered Apprentice (First Degree member) is asked to deposit something metal into the archives of the Lodge that future generations will know that he was at this time and place made a Mason. He having been divested of all metals, of course, cannot do so. In some jurisdictions a Brother present will then present something on his behalf. This is done to teach one of the greatest lessons of Masonry: Charity.

I was 21 when I joined Lodge, almost 20 years ago (dang, I'm getting old!) and the old men in my Lodge used to pride themselves on sneaking the new candidate off to the side and slipping him a penny, saying "Be sure to hold onto this; you'll need it" or "If you can make it through the degree with this, you'll be fine." And, as I said, he's later prepared for the degree which includes the divesting of all metals, so he cannot possibly keep the penny. After the degree is over, the new member understands the joke that was played on him.

Sounds like the gentleman you met is quite a character. He wasn't from Western Kentucky was he? Might be one of the guys from my old home Lodge.


[edit on 12-2-2008 by senrak]

reply to post by PlausibleDeniability


I just have to say it...

He was giving you his 2 cents.

I love your story. At first I was rolling my eyebrows at a couple of over active imaginations hard at work on the night shift, but you know not so much by the end of your tale. Have you ever considered becoming a Mason? Perhaps you could look into it? Is this a sign of your destiny? I do not know but its interesting to ponder.

reply to post by senrak


I have a skull and cross bones on my ring as well.. with the whole "Whom Virtue Has United, Death Shalt not Separate." in latin.

Seems sinister, I suppose, but from an inside perspective, no.

Anyways.. in regards to the penny, I am leaning towards your observations as well. IMO it was this mans way of saying he thought you actually wanted to become a Mason. If your interested, check out the local lodge.. you can go through the degrees and find out all of the spooky mysticism and world domination we do!

This is really interesting. It is strange that you see a freemason when the topic of freemasonry is being discussed. I have never seen (I never looked) anyone randomly wearing a masonic ring. It might be a sign.

Originally posted by PlausibleDeniability
He walks up to the counter and firmly says to hold out our hands palms up. We complied and he spreads his arms out and places a penny face up in the center of our hands. I asked him what it meant. He told me that I'd figure it out one day and when I did he'd come see me. Then he quickly walked back out. I thought about it for awhile and and I still have no idea what it means. I never did see the guy again either.

What a cool story. I'm curious -- you said you felt an "aura" or somthing from the guy... I've gotten that before from people, not necessarily Masons but just people whom I (and ostensibly others) felt a sort of inherent respect for. My question is, was it a positive sort of feeling or a creepy sort of feeling?

I have met some old-timers in Masonry that I have the utmost respect for, and not just because they are Masons, but because of who they are -- someone who is confident and content will have that sort of effect on people, I reckon.

The pennies: that is awesome. Obviously it was a subtle reference to the ritual that Senrak outlined above. I would go so far as to say that this was a compliment from him, as I doubt he would have done that if he were not impressed by you or your interest in Masonry -- perhaps he thought you asked good questions, I don't know. But as a Mason I would say that it was meant as a compliment, and you should take it that way.

So now, since you know what it means, what are your thoughts?


[edit on 2/13/08 by The Axeman]

reply to post by senrak


With that being said I've often wondered if you did manage to get a coin through the ceremony how would that be received? Would the brothers get angry, is this taboo, is it a challenge, or is it just as it reads. A lesson in humilty that is taught that each brother may know what it is to need and not have and to learn how to depend on his brothers.

reply to post by lazy1981


In my jurisdiction the Masters of Ceremonies would have some explaining to do as it is their responsiblity to ensure the candidate has nothing of this nature about his person. Additionally, there really is no easy way to conceal anything with the way the candidate is prepared.

I was just wondering how it would be received? I've got a tongue ring. I didn't figure that they would check that.

reply to post by lazy1981


I am not certain how it would be received as it has, to the best of my knowledge, never happned in my lodge.

Regarding your tounge ring, while a Master of Ceremonies I had to ask a few candidates to remove their's in preperation for the ceremony.

Originally posted by lazy1981
I was just wondering how it would be received? I've got a tongue ring. I didn't figure that they would check that.

Candidates are considered to be "duly and truly prepared." If you came in as a candidate for the Degrees and had a tongue ring, then were asked to divest yourself of ALL metallic substances and did NOT remove the tongue ring...at the point where you were requested to produce something of a metallic substance, it would become apparent that you were dishonest and therefore NOT to be trusted.

Also you would not have been "duly and truly prepared" and, of course, not eligible to become a member of our ancient and honorable fraternity.

You would then be politely reinvested with that of which you had been divested, escorted to the door of the Lodge and asked not to return.

We are honest with those who are candidates for the mysteries of Freemasonry. We expect nothing less from those who are candidates for our Degrees.

[edit on 13-2-2008 by senrak]

Unless someone convinces you to keep the penny.

Then the WM would be .. irate.. at who ever convinced the candidate to keep the penny until asked for.

But they wouldn't throw you out of lodge and never ask you to return.

I have seen a candidate reinvested to whence they came because they had three large metal studs on their person. The three metal studs, one in each nipple and the third in the belly, were quite obvious and he made every attempt to conceal them. He will no longer be considered a candidate because he was not forthright.

Originally posted by senrak


Sounds like the gentleman you met is quite a character. He wasn't from Western Kentucky was he? Might be one of the guys from my old home Lodge.

Thank you for sharing all this with me senrak, as well as everyone else. I almost feel honored now instead of weirded out.

This has always been quite a mystery to me and I'm glad I've finally got answer.
And no I doubt he was Kentuckian The encounter took place in a not so pleasant area of Vallejo,CA.

As far as the "aura" I felt from this guy, its hard for me to explain. I almost always get a real good feel for people when I am near them, I'm very pre-judgemental kind of person I guess But the feeling I got from this guy was this thick sensation of power. Like a cloud almost, something supernatural. I told you it hard to explain...he was very old, sort of reminded me of a skeleton.

I just wish I could remember our conversation.

[edit on 2/14/2008 by PlausibleDeniability]

Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus
reply to post by lazy1981

 

In my jurisdiction the Masters of Ceremonies would have some explaining to do as it is their responsiblity to ensure the candidate has nothing of this nature about his person. Additionally, there really is no easy way to conceal anything with the way the candidate is prepared.

How would the JMC or SMC be responsible I thought that the JW examined the candidate in the Preparing room,that would make it the responsibility of the JW wouldn't it?

[edit on 14-2-2008 by masonica_esoterica]

I would most defently take that encounter to be honorable. He was implying he thought you would make a good Mason.

As far as the Aura I don't know. I can almost always tell when I first meet someone whether they are a Mason or not. When it is with clients in their homes or in the office.. my first day I had picked out all the men I thought where Masons, and eventually because of rings they revealed they where (we meet less often on hand shakes then people think..... in business, a firm business hand shake trumps a Masonic one when your making impressions) but I don't know if I would call it an Aura.

I was just curious seeing as how it was mentioned that another brother may give you a penny or something of that nature to hold until the proper time. It just seemed that some of the members might veiw this as a joke to be played. I was just wondering if it was common place or if it's realy not to be done. Thanks for clearing that up.

More talked about then actually done. And if it IS done and actually carried out.. depending on some of the members attitudes.. some people may be quite pissed off..

reply to post by masonica_esoterica


In my jurisdiction the Masters of Ceremonies are charged with preparing the candidate and adminstering the Interogatories. After this is done the Junior and Senior Wardens as well as the Worshipful Master enter the preperation room and re-check the candidates. I am sure it varies from state to state but this is how we ready the initiates in New Jersey.