Keep the Change: A Collector's Tales of Lucky Pennies, Counterfeit C-Notes, and Other Curious Currency

by Harley J. Spiller

Harley J. Spiller began collecting money at the age of five when, home sick from school, his father tossed him a sack of pennies and a Whitman coin folder. In the five decades since, author Spiller has amassed one of America's most extensive collections of unusual financial artifacts as well as a wealth of anecdotes and quirky historical details about U.S. currency. In Keep the Change, Spiller takes an irreverent look at our most uncommon coins and bills.
Readers learn why greenbacks are green; what happens to worn-out bills (compost is involved); how artists navigate the fine line between art and mutilation; whether it's ever acceptable to burn money (short maybe); and how coin clippers and counterfeiters through the ages have profited by manipulating money. This highly selective tour through currency legends and lore will inspire readers to look with a new sense of wonder at the bills that pass through our hands every day.

Genres: Nonfiction

113 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2015

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by and pleased with the autobiographical pieces of the book. You'll get interesting nuggets of information about money mixed with fun stories of how the author acquired some of the pieces of his coin collection. I hope the author writes more books like this enlightening us with stories of his other collections.

[Lisa Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets you excited about money, you will never look at the spare change in your pocket the same ever again.