Otha Anders, a school board supervisor from Jackson, captivated the attention of bank employees when he arrived with a dolly filled with coins. Anders, along with his family, had spent years collecting pennies as a unique hobby.
For Anders, each penny he found was a divine signal to express gratitude. He told USA Today, “I started seeing lost or dropped pennies as God’s reminders to be thankful.“ On days when he forgot to pray, finding a penny was a gentle reminder from above.
Over 45 years, Anders filled five-gallon water jugs with pennies, estimating his collection was worth hundreds of thousands.
Bank staff opened the jugs and counted the coins for five hours, totaling $5,136.14—about $114.40 per year.
The collected funds were used to cover a dental bill, finance a family vacation, and contribute to the church, making Anders pleased to see his pennies serve a practical purpose.
