As evident, upon entering a cemetery, one often encounters dime, pennies, or other coins left on graves. This small gesture usually goes unnoticed, with yet deeper meaning attached to it – a gesture that pays respect, honors, and celebrates the memory of the deceased in months thereafter.
The Tradition of Leaving Coins on Graves
This is an age-old tradition that various cultures have practiced throughout different epochs. To put a coin onto a grave signifies a semblance of respect and connection to the deceased. Coins, especially dimes, signify silently that someone has visited and acknowledged their presence, intending to pay tribute in some way.
It goes back to the time of ancient Greece and Rome where people used to place coins upon graves to pay for the deceased’s journey from this world to the proverbial afterlife. However, even today with different meanings attached to it, it symbolizes a way to show respect, give thanks, or even to say goodbye to one yet to pass.
Why Dimes Specifically?
However, it is different with dimes since they happen to be the coins left on graves that rank of great interest. There are several reasons dimes are said to hold special meaning:
A Symbol of Remembrance: As a ten-cent coin, the dime is believed to have an association with psychic energies and sometimes serves as a signal from those loved ones who have passed on. Finding a dime on a grave reflects a small yet profound personal contact or affirmation of continued remembrance that the dead is not forgotten.
Connection to Veterans and Fallen Soldiers: According to some traditions, different coins left on the headstone of military graves represent the nature of relationship between the visitor and the deceased: pennies indicate a show of respect and a connection because the visitor was in a similar position of the deceased; dimes are sometimes left as a casual expression of thanks and respect, regardless of whether the visitor had known the dead or not.
Modern Symbol and Superstition: In modern times, some believe that finding a dime is a sign from the spirit world that a dearly departed-looked-after loved one watches over them. Thus, leaving a dime on a grave might be a symbolic way of communicating with them: “I know you’re here in spirit.”
The Power of Small Gestures: Other Coins and Their Meanings
Beyond this, other coins such as pennies, nickels, and quarters rest atop the graves of soldiers and veterans. Each coin bears its own traditional meaning:
Penny (1 cent): A visitor came to say, “Hi”. Nickel (5 cents): The visitor attended boot camp with the deceased. Dime (10 cents): The visitor served with the deceased. Quarter (25 cents): The visitor was with the deceased when he died.
These also represent a tradition very largely exercised in military cemeteries, and which allow their own quiet little message of appreciation.
Respecting the Tradition
If at any time you feel compelled to leave a dime on a grave, know that it is one of kindness and respect. Each coin that one leaves on a grave tells a story of kinship, love, or respect while physically expressing those sentiments which words alone might fall short. Just an ordinary showing of honor and love can enlarge the collective memory and serve as a pertinent reminder of our humanity.
