Wednesday, August 4, 2010

What Are You Made Of?

I'm no coin collector, but I've never seen a silver penny before, have you? 

This is a 1943 penny. Wait. What? Aren't most pennies made of copper? Yes, most are. However, 1943 pennies (also known as a silver pennies, because they look as though they're made from silver, as seen in the picture above) were made of steel, because the U.S. was elbow deep into World War II and copper supplies were scarce. What's interesting, is that silver pennies are actually more common than these 1943 copper pennies, seen here:


These particular copper pennies are rare. They're collector's items. 

As a writer, I want to be a 1943 copper penny. Of course I want to be a rare treasure amongst all the other common pennies out there. But the depth of it? Copper is more malleable than steel - hot or cold, it has a greater ability to be bent and shaped without cracking. It's unique because of what it's made of.

I want to bend easily - to be capable of being shaped without cracking. I don't think I'm there yet, but hopefully someday.

10 comments:

  1. My hubby's a HUGE coin collector--or at least he was and we still have all of them. But he knows some pretty interesting facts like that too.

    Yeah, maybe I'll be like copper someday too. :)

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  2. I love this analogy-- I would like to be that too. We used to metal detect for coins in PA and have quite a collection of old ones.

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  3. Great comparison. Love old coins too. :O)

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  4. Beth, that's fasinating info. Life will make us bend, but God keeps us from cracking. Love your post!

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  5. Great analogy, and a great goal. I really learned during this book process how important it is to be malleable!

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  6. I like the idea of being maleable in all aspects of life. I really think of this as a general coping skill. It does no good to crack from anything or for anything.

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  7. Ooh, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for a 1943 copper penny. As I was reading this post I thought of the movie, Dear John. Have you seen it?

    I agree with being maleable. I learn this especially as a Mom. Like right now, for instance, I need to realize that I won't be able to write anymore because my baby is screaming at me. Maleable me.

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  8. You know you just got that idea from watching Zach Efron!

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  9. Ooo--I love interesting tidbits like this! And I want the same as you, to stand out but be able to bend.

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  10. Good analogies carry the point and maintain interest - you did that with the penny. Good job! I linked here from T.Anne's. You have a good blog. wb

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