Found Money

Jackpot!

2010-09-04T17:32:00.005-04:00

Canvas bag containing $53.48 in abandoned coins. More Webcam adventures here and here.

Wine art thou?

2010-08-17T22:45:00.002-04:00

No ducats hidden in this ewer.

The wine was great. Maybe a little too great.

We're up $1.17 since the last post. Pennies, quarters and, of late, dimes have been hot.

I'm Rich!

2010-08-09T17:51:00.006-04:00

I started this blog two years ago and after a year and change (har) I slowed down on posting because I was tired of picking up pennies and trying to come up with something clever to say about it every day. So I moved to a neighborhood where my chances of finding fifty dollar bills might be better. I'm in the Financial District now and I still pick up change every day and the training has paid off. It paid $17 in fact. I found $17 on John Street! It was next to a car, someone had clearly lost it from a pocket while getting out of the car. A ten and seven ones.

Also, about two months ago, I dove on a fiver that was loose on the platform of the uptown 4,5,6 trains at 14th street during morning rush. So, I'm up $22 and ready to start posting again.

I figure I've collected about $5 of small change in the months that I didn't post. So, I'm adding $32 to my collected total.

(photo by Yorgo)

New Money for a New Year

2010-01-01T17:31:00.002-05:00

It rained pennies last night in Manhattan. We picked 13 of them up this morning. And a quarter.

.38 but not quite a Saturday Night Special (it was a Thursday)

Just Pennies

2009-12-26T19:52:00.002-05:00

Since I found a paycheck over the summer I have had less time to post about finding pennies but today was noteworthy (and a recent mention in the Coffee News in Monroe MI - thanks Yvette!) I'm inspired to post again.

We had a recent snowstorm that yielded us some pennies as the snow melted.

Today was two dimes (people don't like it pick up wet money but I think it's cleaner, right?) and six pennies from 118 Street to the 116 subway station and then back. Yesterday was the most gruesome and dirtiest find in the subway - one penny that my daughter and I had to reach through the gate to get out of a pile of grime. It was nasty and those gloves are in the laundry.

I am going to estimate we've found about $1.32 since our last post (there were three quarters in there). I think that's a conservative estimate.

Blighty Spares No Change

2009-08-26T18:14:00.003-04:00

Mind the poverty gap, folks, a week in London yielded ZERO in the Department of Found Money. You've got a better chance of finding a Ducat in China than finding any loose Sterling lying around London.

Total this past week = $0 but a wonderful vacation as a guest at Holly's Kentish Cloud in Tower

Nickel & Dimed

2009-08-02T10:39:00.005-04:00

People don't stop to pick up coins during a down pour. In the strong rains that have continued of late, we've swooped down and collected $1.12. And a cat whom we've named Nova. When he blinks we see cent signs in his eyes.

Total haul for the last ten days = $1.12 and a cat with orange eyes.

TOTAL to date $27.51

.37 and she's yours

2009-07-21T21:01:00.001-04:00

Since we last checked in we have found pennies in pools, on beaches, on the subway, at the registers in grocery stores, and in the rain on the sidewalk. Same goes for nickels and dimes. Today, there were seven pennies and a dime shining up at us from our own rain-slicked stoop as we left for work/school.

Total haul for the last nine days = .37

TOTAL to date = $26.39

U-Haul Ten Cents

2009-07-12T21:29:00.004-04:00

I found a dime near a U-Haul lot and thought this picture of a walrus on the side of one of their trucks was funny. That's a ten cent laugh for you.

Don't hate me, but I did not pickup a shiny penny and a nickel on the subway yesterday.

I was too tired from playing football and rollerblading. I haven't been that physical since I was five years old breaking rocks on a chain gang.

Please note, I'm done with the football and whiffle ball and Frisbee and rollerblading for a while because they're cutting into my riches. When catching the game-winning Hail Mary pass costs you six cents because you're too tired to bend over and pick them up - it's time to rethink your priorities.

Well, you can count on me. I'm going for sure riches over uncertain health benefits and probable injuries. To hell with Frisbee and football.

And I'll leave whiffle ball to the Beastie Boys.

Total haul for the last few days = .10 and some sore muscles

TOTAL to date = $26.02

Love for MJ in Harlem

2009-07-06T22:10:00.005-04:00

Dry as a bone here in Harlem today but raining copper. And Nickel. We found 17 pennies and one nickel walking along 125th Street, which is one long Michael Jackson memorial. People must be so busy looking at all the Michael Jackson memorabilia that they don't care if they drop money.

The best MJ tribute was a huge tarp that had a close-up of Michael's face from the Thriller album (with tiger cheated in) airbrushed onto it and a guy with a camera charging people to have their portrait taken in front of the tarp. I may go back this weekend and get my photo taken there.

We add the whopping .22 we found today to the paltry .03 found over the weekend in Virginia and we have a nice round .25 cents.

Total haul today = .25 and some love for MJ, RIP

TOTAL to date = $25.98

Three

2009-06-30T19:46:00.002-04:00

Three cents and three trees. Although my cents were found on cement sidewalks, I thought the three trees were better looking than the patch of cement.

Total haul for the day = .03 and some peace

TOTAL to date = A completely underwhelming $25.70

Three Cents and a Bunch of Lavendar

2009-06-29T21:38:00.002-04:00

There's a great park in NYC that has AMAZING landscaping. It has to be seen to be believed. Even the mushrooms come up in the right place. It's so nice, I'm not going to say where it is! But I found three cents on the way there.

Total haul today = .03

TOTAL to date = $25.67

Summer Hours

2009-06-28T22:57:00.004-04:00

We're sort of busy eating pretzels on park benches and enjoying the summer in NYC so we may not update daily for a while. Who knows.

However, we did find some change recently. Two dimes at the laundromat and a slew of pennies throughout the city this last week. Fourteen pennies, to be precise.

Total haul over last five, storm-riddled days = .34

TOTAL to date = $25.64

It's Been a Year

2009-06-23T09:48:00.003-04:00

A slow year. The market crashed. The mortgage industry imploded. The New York Times nearly became the No York Times. The American automotive industry is in collapse. The government pledged $787 Billion for economic stimulus. What a year to start counting found money.

In the past year I found only three paper bills. In every year prior to this one I found more paper money. But I won't give up.

And on we go into Year Two of Found Money. We can do it - we can find a manila envelope with $50K in it.

Yesterday we found five pennies. Total haul for June 19, 20, 21, 22 = .05 and a whole hell of a lot of RAIN.

Total haul for today = so far, nothing

TOTAL to date = $25.30

Coin Comedy

2009-06-18T14:00:00.003-04:00

Comedy Corner has coins, ya'll. I found a nickel and two pennies there on Wednesday night while changing my shoes before my set.

Wednesday total = .07 and a handful of crickets

Today's rain offered up two floaters (pennies in puddles).

Total since Tuesday = .09

TOTAL to date = $25.25 and some open mic sets

Dime in the Dirt

2009-06-16T18:48:00.001-04:00

Two pennies on the sidewalk, one in Harlem and one in SoHo, and a dime in the dirt on 119th Street

Total haul today = .12

TOTAL to date = $25.16

I Think I See a Quarter!

2009-06-15T10:17:00.003-04:00

Weekend Update
(more of that idiot dog here, by the way)

Saturday = .01 found in the "Coqui!" melee on 3rd Avenue in Spanish Harlem
Sunday/Flag Day = .04 found on the way to NJ Transit (bus, walk, subway, walk, train)

Today I saw a dime roll to a stop in the street not far from the curb where I was standing. I picked it up after it fell and it was still warm; it was fresh from someone's hand or pocket. I crossed the street and passed a bunch of school kids and I think I heard one say, "That's my dime." Not any more it's not.

Total haul for the weekend and today = .15

TOTAL to date $25.04

Singlet & The High Line

2009-06-12T12:03:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was a one cent day. Found a penny on Lexington Avenue. Did not find anything but superior design and execution at the newly opened High Line park in west Manhattan. It is AWESOME.

I can't wait for them to finish the rest of the park because what they've created so far is so good that it will be MOBBED. By the way, no jogging up there - "it's not an exercise park." But they did let my kid haul a** around the place.

Total haul for June 11th = .01

TOTAL to date = $24.89

Ugly But True

2009-06-10T12:32:00.003-04:00

I passed this coin in the dirt yesterday here on 118th but couldn't stop to pick it up because I was carrying my 54-pound sleeping wonder. Today I saw it again and was happy to see that it is (barely) a nickel. Also found a penny in the subway station.

At jury duty today a guy in front of me dropped a bunch of change but all the do-gooders helped him recover it. Maybe I'll find something this afternoon near the Astor case which is being held down the hall - with paparazzi and the works.

Total haul for the day = .06

TOTAL to date = $24.94

25 Cent Rain

2009-06-09T20:17:00.003-04:00

Thunder cracked loud at 4:30 this morning and woke me up. I enjoyed the light show before falling back asleep. A blackened sky kept us at home during rush hour so we left late this morning but then we ran for it. We found two cents while running. And then I found another penny on the street, a dime on the train, and another penny walking home with my kid, who found a dime somewhere during the day.

(the photo was totally ripped from the Internet - go here to see more)

Total haul today = .25 and about 2 inches of rain

TOTAL to date = $24.88

One friend found seven singles in Brooklyn today. I suggested he purchase a 40 of OE with it.

Dad, Can I Have a Nickel?

2009-06-08T21:40:00.004-04:00

No, son, you don't have any pockets. And your brother there would just eat it any way.

Excellent. So *I* got the nickel I found in the Congo exhibit at the Bronx Zoo today.

I tell ya, there's nothing like playing hookie from unemployment and going to the zoo on a perfect 73F Monday. It was beautiful and empty.

Total haul today = .05 and some gorilla snaps

TOTAL to date = $24.63

Not Much

2009-06-07T22:03:00.001-04:00

My daughter came home with a penny.

Total haul for today = .01

TOTAL to date = $24.58

Clickety Clack

2009-06-06T10:38:00.002-04:00

Found five pennies yesterday, June 5th. Four were on the stoop of my building. Lost winnings from last night's dice game, probably. Clickety Clack. And another around the corner.

Total haul yesterday = .05

TOTAL to date = $24.57

0+1=1

2009-06-04T13:44:00.002-04:00

Wednesday = 0, as in 0uch.

Today I found a penny as I came out of the subway at 116th street. It was a great excuse to stop and put down all of my Trader Joe's and Whole Foods bags, which were stretching my arms.

Total haul today = .01 and longer arms

TOTAL to date = $24.52

Sixth Cents

2009-06-02T22:09:00.004-04:00

I almost went ass-over-teakettle today picking up a nickel off of the floor of the 6 train while it was pulling into a station, which is precisely when those ridiculous brakes make you want to take your own eardrums out with a paring knife. I recovered though, five cents richer.

Then I found a penny on 13th Street after watching Star Trek at the Union Square theater where a MOUSE RAN OVER MY LEG while I watched the movie. The theater was THAT empty. Okay, I think it was a mouse. It may have been a SMALL RAT. You've been warned. How was the movie? Who can remember!?

Total haul for the day = .06 and an intimate run-in with a rodent

TOTAL to date = $24.51

Finally!

2009-06-01T19:50:00.006-04:00

I've been in Harlem for a month and finally found my first quarter. I also found three pennies on our first walk with the Idiot to Morningside Park (pictured here).

My favorite quote that I've heard in Harlem fits in with today's find. Last night, walking home from Central Park, we passed a guy standing up from a stoop and walking away from his friends and he said, "I think I'll go and try and get a cigarette; I have a quarter." Man, that's a cheap loosey.

Total haul for the day = .28

TOTAL to date = $24.45

Gracias from East Harlem

2009-05-30T18:00:00.003-04:00

I was just thinking yesterday how silly it was that I post about a few pennies every day. And then some of you clever folks read my mind and sent me messages about how you like the blog.

Thanks to all of you who have sent support and to those who just keep coming back to be sure I haven't gotten rich on pennies yet. Your involvement makes it much more fun, so gracias from Spanish Harlem (where I found two HIGHLY oxidized pennies and one shiny one today.)

Photo was taken at Madison and 116th.

Total haul for the day = .03 and some respect

TOTAL to date = $24.17

Whole Pennies

2009-05-29T15:31:00.004-04:00

It's been a slow week. Luckily, Whole Foods, in an attempt to support the local economy, let me take home four pennies from the Union Square store (flagship store in Austin, TX pictured above).

Total today = .01 (on Lexington Avenue)
Total yesterday = .04

TOTAL to date = $24.14

Thank You, Marcus Garvey

2009-05-26T15:35:00.003-04:00

Right near the Marcus Garvey Playground at Madison Avenue and 121st Street, I found six pennies. Good thing Mr. Garvey wasn't around to ship them off to Africa.

I've been in Harlem for about a month now and have yet to see a quarter. Be nice to find a twenty too.

Total haul today = .06

TOTAL to date = $24.09

Cyclone Coin/Bone Shaker

2009-05-25T18:05:00.001-04:00

I found a few pennies near the World Famous Cyclone at Coney Island. At first I thought they were shaken out of the pockets of people on the ride, but I was wrong. The only thing that ride shakes is your bones and brain. Holy crap, it's a rickety, jaggedy, jerky old thing. Next time I get up the EIGHT BUCKS to ride it, I will wear a helmet and neck brace. The pennies must've been placed there by people making offerings to the gods in hope of surviving the Cyclone.

The image above is part of the cattle-pen entrance to the Death Trap on Wheels.

Coney Island find on Saturday = .05

Other total from the rest of the week = .17 (Pennies and a nickel, mostly in Harlem. Not a single day without at least two cents)

Total haul since last Monday = .22 (and a sore, bone-crunched neck)

TOTAL to date = $24.03

The Recession is Over

2009-05-18T12:05:00.005-04:00

Wheat paste graffiti never lies! This was shot on Crosby Street last week.

Saturday = .12 (dime and pennies)

Sunday = .01 (close call)

Monday = Subway shells out two more cents. Someone told me it was filthy to pick up coins on the floor and that I was teaching my daughter bad habits. I told my daughter not to listen to crazy strangers who can't mind their own business. Update: Subway offers up two *more* cents.

Total haul last few days = .17

TOTAL to date = $23.81

Kids Shoot the Darndest Things

2009-05-15T14:51:00.003-04:00

My kid shot this picture with my camera on a gallery walk last night where she also found three pennies (updated in yesterday's totals). Today she was shooting a subway grate when she found another penny. And then I found two more pennies and a nickel in SoHo.

Total haul for the day .08

TOTAL to date = $23.64

In The News on WPIX

2009-05-14T12:55:00.004-04:00

Found Moolah made the news again. You can view it here. Just be sure to click on the story "Savings Can Come From Loose Change."

In other news, I've found five pennies so far today. Three of them I heard fall while waiting in line with a friend at the Mud Truck. Two others were found on 13th Street.

Update: three more pennies found during gallery walk in Chelsea after school.

Total haul for the day = .08 and some TV coverage

TOTAL to date = $23.56

Summer's Coming - Get Out Your Metal Detector

2009-05-13T20:24:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I didn't find anything, which often happens on days that I take a taxi.

Today I found a ridiculously oxidized penny between the cobble stones of Crosby Street. I was cold and hunched over and that's probably why I saw it.

It's in the 50s still and I'd rather be sunbathing.

Total haul today = .01 and a chill

TOTAL to date = $23.48

MetroCash

2009-05-11T21:10:00.003-04:00

Five pennies is not great find, but tag to that *another* $11 Metrocard and you've got some winnings to celebrate. I found the metrocard on CPW.

Total haul for the day = .05 and a metrocard w/ $11 on it

TOTAL to date = $23.47

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T13:21:00.003-04:00

My child celebrated Mother's Day by finding the first penny today - right in front of our building. And we found three more while cruising around in our finery looking at flowers and eating sweets. Including one on the floor at SpaHa Cafe (our favorite eatery in Spanish Harlem), which has the best sweets in the neighborhood. I wholly recommend the fruit tarts.

And another 6 pennies in El Barrio.

Total haul so far today = .10

TOTAL to date = $23.42

.22 Clean

2009-05-09T21:21:00.003-04:00

Steps from the 116th Street Subway station at Lexington, I found a dime and then another dime at the laundromat. And then two pennies on Lex walking home from a delicious dinner at Moustache (the lamb sandwich is one of the best things in NYC).

Total haul for the day = .22

TOTAL to date = $23.32

Pigs Get Fat, Hogs Get Slaughtered

2009-05-08T21:20:00.002-04:00

Six cents at the Bronx Zoo today.

Total haul for the day = .06 and a bunch of souvenir photos

TOTAL to date = $23.10

Subway Boosts My Personal Economy

2009-05-07T18:48:00.002-04:00

Now that I spend HOURS of every day riding the rails, I am finding more money (pennies) on platforms, near turnstiles, and on subway steps. And even in the cars themselves.

Today I scored four pennies thanks to the MTA.

Total haul for the day = .04

TOTAL to date = $23.04

23 Skidoo

2009-05-06T10:12:00.003-04:00

Two more pennies found while walking the dog this morning put us over the line and into $23 land! Now I'm hoping to find a $20 bill.

Wisteria Will Be Here Soon

2009-05-05T21:17:00.001-04:00

Meanwhile, I added three cents to the piggy banks. All from the grimy subway floors.

Total haul for the day = .03

TOTAL to date = $22.98

Penny in the Rain

2009-05-04T07:38:00.002-04:00

One penny on East 118th Street on a wet sidewalk. It's been a week since I moved to Harlem and so far, nothing but pennies.

And more pennies. Five more near the subway turnstile and two more by a check out counter. Two more on the street. Harlem might be good for pennies.

Where is the paper!?

Total haul for the day = .10

TOTAL to date = $22.95

Harlem Lights

2009-05-03T17:18:00.003-04:00

Eight pennies today in Harlem, five of which were stacked nicely on the base of a lamppost (sort of like the one pictured above) at Lexington Avenue. Another three on the floor near a check out counter.

May 2nd - one penny found at 116th Street station and another at the hardware store on 119th and 2nd = .02

May 1st - Worker's Day = No Pay

April 30th - .03 Union Square Park

Total haul for the day = .08

Total haul since last update = .13

TOTAL to date = $22.85

Money on the Move

2009-04-29T15:35:00.002-04:00

After we got all packed up and the truck was loaded on Monday, the movers headed north and I got on the subway. I found a penny and a dime at the 116th Street stop - a nice welcome to my new home.

Additionally, there was a penny on my windowsill. And another on Lex last night.

Total since Monday = .13

TOTAL haul to date = $22.72

Trip trips

2009-04-25T13:12:00.004-04:00

Three pennies found in Union Square Park yesterday. I tell you, I am sweating it out wondering if I will find any change in Harlem. Union Square Park is like a free coin ATM, it pays out like a drunk slot machine - DAILY.

The movers come in less than 48 hours. I really should be organizing, cleaning, throwing stuff away, and packing.

Total haul yesterday and so far today = .03

TOTAL to date = $22.59

Oh, I found a Metrocard at the Doctor's office this week. It had $11 on it. Ka-ching.

Subway Coin

2009-04-23T21:45:00.001-04:00

14th Street Station pays out again with a penny and a quarter.

Total haul for the day = .26

TOTAL to date = $22.56

What's Your 20?

2009-04-22T18:52:00.003-04:00

My new 20 will be Harlem as of next week. (20 is police lingo for location, btw.) I wonder if I'll find as much coin wandering the streets up in SpaHa (Spanish Harlem).

Today was a winner. Two pennies in the 14th Street subway station, a dime and a penny in my building's elevator, and my kid came home with seven pennies that she SWEARS she didn't take out of anyone's pockets (but I am not convinced).

Total haul for the day = .20

TOTAL to date = $22.30

One Cute Cent

2009-04-21T17:18:00.001-04:00

Pennies are cuter in the spring time. This one found in Union Square Park by where the junkies hang out. They nod off and don't see the loose change.

Total haul for the day = .01

TOTAL to date = $22.10

Observe & Report

2009-04-19T21:46:00.001-04:00

The movie theater continues to pay out. One dime right out side the cinema door. Plus two pennies yesterday and it's 12 cents.

TOTAL to date = $22.09

.01 + .10 + .01 = .12

2009-04-17T18:53:00.004-04:00

I love a shiny dime on the sidewalk on the way to the movies (CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE is MUST SEE, btw). And then a penny after the movies on University. And then a penny on the sidewalk outside a fantastic Cambodian sandwich shop where a really good friend treats your broke skinny ass to a delicious lunch.

Total haul for the day = .12

TOTAL to date = $21.97

Found!

2009-04-15T09:52:00.002-04:00

So far today just one cent. But yesterday, April 14, I found six pennies. Last night I had a dream I found a half-dollar. I wish.

Total haul for yesterday and today = .07

TOTAL haul to date = $21.85

Eggs and Cents

2009-04-13T10:37:00.003-04:00

For me, it wasn't a very good week for finding money, but I did find a dozen eggs (with the help of my daughter).

For Christopher, it was a GREAT week for finding money. He found a fin in Union Square (after getting assaulted by a guy wearing a REAL cat on his head) and then a sawbuck in Central Park.

Since my last post, I found a measly three cents.

TOTAL haul to date = $21.78

Big, Big Money

2009-04-08T19:01:00.003-04:00

One cent found by a manhole cover in the East Village.

Total haul today = .01

TOTAL to date = $21.75

Passover Fun

2009-04-07T13:53:00.003-04:00

If you like music videos and you have a sense of humor, you'll love this...
Good for the Jews

I found a dime, incidentally, in Union Square Park. It was muddy. I don't care.

Total haul for the day = .10 (and a really good video that made me howl)

Pennies in the Flowers

2009-04-06T08:54:00.005-04:00

I found three pennies over the weekend, all next to flowers; one by a flower stall and two next to flower beds. I wish I could plant them and come back in about six months and pick $100 bills off little copper plants.

I also found a quarter - maybe I should plant it first.

Total haul for the weekend = .28

TOTAL to date = $21.32

Discounted Subway Fare

2009-04-03T19:42:00.004-04:00

Today I found a dime and a penny in on the Q train. That takes my fare down but not low enough to accommodate for the ridiculously high rate hike on the way.

Raising the fare 25% while people are losing their jobs and cutting back? What are they thinking?

This kind of short-sightedness just means more fare-jumpers, which means more jailbirds, which means more meals for jailbirds. Might as well leave the fare where it is and save some people a lot of aggravation.

Total haul today = .11
Total haul for March 31, April 1, and April 2 = .04

TOTAL to date = $21.04

Three Amigos

2009-03-30T18:24:00.003-04:00

Lincoln, Lincoln, and Lincoln. All on 14th street between 6th Avenue and University.

Total haul for the day = .03

TOTAL to date = $20.89

Uno

2009-03-29T16:36:00.004-04:00

Another Filthy penny found between paving stones in Union Square Park.

Is anyone else experiencing spring as a fraud? Like we don't really deserve the tulips this year?

UPDATE: Found a quarter in the park during late night dog walk.

Total haul for the day = .26

TOTAL to date = $20.86

It's Good to Have Goals

2009-03-27T11:41:00.002-04:00

I hope to find a nickel today.

I did! At 11:30 on the seat of a cab on the way to Ktown for dinner (thanks, Bob!).

Total haul for the day = .05

TOTAL to date = $20.60

Forget It

2009-03-26T21:20:00.004-04:00

I'm not going out to look for *anything* until the weather improves.

Needless to say, I found nothing today but here's a pretty picture of diatoms. Some of them look coin-ish. My apologies to the scientist who took this image - I can't find your name. Maybe you took this from samples harvested in Antarctica?

UPDATE: Ken, I think you had this image on your Antarctica blog - is that possible?

I found a dime last night stuck between my building the sidewalk - I had to go out because of the damn dog. He likes to lift his leg more than once a day, the freak.

Total haul for the day = .10

TOTAL to date = $20.55

Pennies in the Tulips

2009-03-25T09:25:00.002-04:00

This year's Tulip Patrol reports that our tulips in Union Sq are only up about 4 inches, but soon they will look like these over-achievers shot at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden last spring. I found a penny by the flower beds in Union Square park this morning, next to a pink, bald, partially chewed, dead squab (baby pigeon).

Total haul for the day = .01

TOTAL to date = $20.45

Fool's Gold

2009-03-24T09:55:00.004-04:00

I saw this in the park this morning and thought I'd scored a quarter - or better yet a drachma or ducat. No such luck. It's just a flimsy former earring charm or scarf adornment.

And then a scarred penny in the crosswalk t 23rd and Park Avenue.

The good news is the dime brought home by my sticky-fingered child yesterday.

Total haul for yesterday and today = .11 and some junk

TOTAL to date = $20.44

Dropped Dimes

2009-03-22T15:47:00.004-04:00

Someone must be crying over his piggy banks right now because I found four dimes yesterday all together with a penny at Madison Square Park. When I am filthy stinking rich, will I pick up dimes when I drop them? Also found two pennies walking to brunch with baby.

Total haul for March 21, 2009 = .43

TOTAL to date = $20.33

March 20th

2009-03-21T11:22:00.002-04:00

My daughter brought me three cents on her fourth birthday.

Total haul today = .03

TOTAL to date = $19.90

Obama Skateboard - Cash Only

2009-03-17T22:27:00.002-04:00

This was in a woman's clothing store in the 80's near Lexington Avenue. Obama in his Obamaman suit, ready to shred.

I guess everyone is saving their pennies for this, because there were none to be found.

Total haul today = naught

TOTAL to date = $19.87

March 13, 14, 15 AND 16

2009-03-16T21:26:00.004-04:00

In the last four days I've found only three cents. Subway, sidewalk, and sidewalk again. I have been terribly distracted so maybe I missed a few. It happens. Too bad, it would've been fun to find a bloody quarter on the Ides of March. Maybe next year.

Total haul for the day = .03

TOTAL to date = $19.87

Still Broke

2009-03-12T09:46:00.005-04:00

I'm off to a good start for the day but I'm still broke. By 9:00 a.m. I had already found a dime and a penny. Maybe today will make up for the string of duds I've had this week.

Prince Street station had another dime for me. It was blending in to the floor pretty well, but it winked at me.

I found one more penny on Irving Place and my daughter brought home two cents from the "playground." Not sure why there's money on the school playground but I'll take it.

Total haul for the day = .24

TOTAL to date = $19.84

Null Set

2009-03-11T21:01:00.001-04:00

I don't really know what to say other than, I am going nowhere in a hurry.

Another zero day.

Carnegie Null

2009-03-10T22:15:00.000-04:00

I didn't find anything around Carnegie Hall today. Nor did I find a blessed thing on the bus, subway, or streets. Stingy Tuesday!

March 9th

2009-03-10T00:09:00.003-04:00

Someone wrote on Facebook that 2009 would be the year of the penny. Damn Straight. You know if you read it on Facebook it's prophetic.

I'm on board with this plan and found four cents tonight to prove it.

Okay, one was Canadian, but pennies are so poorly regarded that shopkeepers even accept the ones from up north.

Total haul today = .04

TOTAL to date = $19.60

Happy Birthday to all of the Yellow Canaries out there!

Four on the Floor

2009-03-08T20:57:00.003-04:00

Crosswalks are a good place to find spare change because most people are too smart to stop and look for a dropped penny in the face of four lanes of on-coming traffic.

I am not most people.

I found four pennies in crosswalks today. Even in this one where they had to cut through the plywood so pedestrians could seen when it was walk time or stop time. All I could see was dime time.

Total haul for the day = .04

TOTAL to date = $19.56

Everyone Calm Down, 5 cent Coffee Arrives in Town!

2009-03-06T12:15:00.006-05:00

I found four cents already today. I just need to find one more penny and I'll be able to afford a cup of coffee at NYC's tiniest art fair, The Coffee C'Art.

UPDATE: One more penny found on the curb and then - BINGO - four more and a dime near the cashier at Utrecht.

Total haul today = .19 - one penny shy of getting four cups of nickel coffee at The Coffee C'Art.

TOTAL to date = $19.67

Dog Walk Keeps Hope Alive

2009-03-05T22:01:00.001-05:00

So far today - nothing! Let's hope the dog walk scares up something so I don't have to post a big goose egg up in this B.

1

2009-03-04T22:53:00.004-05:00

I found just one little penny today on Broadway near Prince near Metalarc, who was looking very cool.

UPDATE: Late night dog walk yielded four pennies. They were so obviously chucked at a tree by someone who pulled them out of their pocket and then said, "Ew. Money," and then threw them.

Total haul for the day = .05

TOTAL to date = $19.47

R is for RICH

2009-03-03T15:08:00.002-05:00

I got on the R train today and there were a circle of people staring at a penny on the train floor. I looked around at everyone in the circle and no one moved so I bent down slowly - while the train was in motion - and plucked little Abe. Then I stood up and smiled.

Then I found another really salty one in Union Square.

UPDATE: Found another penny at my daughter's school. In the doorway - not in anyone's pocket.

Total haul for the day = .03

TOTAL to date = $19.42

HSBC - 24 Hour Barking

2009-03-02T17:38:00.005-05:00

Trouble in that former paradise, Hong Kong. Hang Seng Bank is reporting a 22.7% dip in profits and hanging it on the global banking environment. One executive even got canned.

There's a blizzard going on and I'm not going out so I won't find anything but a bit of financial news today.

No Golfing on Uncle Sam's Dime

2009-03-01T10:54:00.002-05:00

One bank that received bail out funds has decided it might be better to pay the government back asap rather than have Uncle Sam checking every receipt.

Apparently the government and the tax payers don't think that bail-out money should be spent on the links.

Another Pair

2009-02-28T22:15:00.004-05:00

Two more cents found outside of a charity store on East 12th Street.

UPDATE: I see dead people. I found the six cents while walking the dog. We found a nickel by a lamppost in Union Square and then another penny.

Total haul for the day = .09

TOTAL do date = $19.39 and we are creeping out of the depression years.

A Pair

2009-02-27T23:59:00.002-05:00

I found two pennies today in Union Square. They are happy to be reunited after having spent some time apart.

Total haul for the day = .02

TOTAL to date = $19.31

Five for Nino

2009-02-26T23:28:00.004-05:00

Today restored hope. After a string of too many zero days to count, I hit a mini jackpot under a munimeter (c'mon, parking meter sounds so much cooler than munimeter) where I found four pennies scattered about. Stick that with one more found near the post office on 11th Street and we're talking a nice solid number; five.

I would like to give a special shout-out to Nino, who is no longer anonymous and always welcome. Thanks for you support and comments. Nice to know you're in it for the duration.

Total haul for the day = .05 + one lifetime reader, Nino, our friend from up north

TOTAL to date = $19.29, $9 Obama bill, and Nino!

Brother, Can You Spare a Nine?

2009-02-25T14:45:00.006-05:00

Nine dollar bill, that is, not a nine millimeter. I think he looks even better on the money.

Order yours for a buck here. Or you can order another kind for .30 here. There's no shortage of President Barack Obama funny money. I'll showcase more on days when I come up short of spare change.

This is the only money I've found so far today and I paid $1.00 for it at Ricky's.

U.S. Mint Steps to a Hep Beat

2009-02-24T09:09:00.006-05:00

In its Statehood series of quarters, the U.S. Mint has finally honored an African American on U.S. Tender, which is worth a whole lot more than .25 cents. Duke Ellington is the first African American ever to appear on our money.

Meanwhile, I haven't found a coin in days! I'm freaking out!

UPDATE: I found a crusty old wheat penny in the mulch around a tree on Chrystie Street this morning. I see more when I walk the dog.

Total haul for the day = .01 and a Duke Ellington Celebration!

TOTAL to date = $19.24

Fine Art, Free Money

2009-02-21T18:02:00.002-05:00

At the Met today I found a penny and then two more pennies and a dime coming off the 4 train at Union Square.

Total haul for the day = .13

TOTAL to date = $19.23

$200K Found on NYC Street!

2009-02-20T17:07:00.003-05:00

A guy found just under $200K on a NYC street and cops seized it. Should the guy get it back? Should he get at least some of it?

Read about the story here.

I say finders, keepers - give the guy back his cash!

Thanks, Christopher, for the heads up.

Markets Down, Spare Change Limited!

2009-02-20T11:28:00.003-05:00

I didn't find anything yesterday except for the 85 pennies between the tracks at Prince Street. I bet your could get $5 from the 14th Street tracks, not that I would want to. Two words; rat poop.

UPDATE: Trading is up! I found a penny at the 6 train 33rd Street station!

Yesterday = zip
So far today = close to zip

Total haul for the day = .01

TOTAL to date = $19.10

Elevenses

2009-02-18T10:48:00.006-05:00

(Image from Just Desserts)

Let's not talk about yesterday. Today I wanted cake so my dog and I walked to News Cafe on University. They let me bring him in when I buy cake. And he usually gets a croissant, which he generally makes a big scene about and makes me not want to give it to him. One the way home I found a dime and a penny.

UPDATE: Dime found at Houston 1 Train subway station.

Total haul for the day = .21

TOTAL to date = $19.09

It Ain't Easy Being Green

2009-02-16T13:48:00.002-05:00

Kermit was right. Being green means re-using other people's forgotten and abandoned money, which isn't always easy to find and is frequently dirty. I felt smug finding a penny and recycling it right here in front of Sustainable NYC, a business on Avenue A at Tompkins Square Park in NYC's East Village. And since Sustainable NYC has a round sign, I can also post the image on my Round Sign blog (I think round signs are a sign of economic surplus and will therefore go on the wane in coming years).

Total haul for the day = .01

TOTAL to date = .$18.78

Two for the Show

2009-02-15T17:22:00.002-05:00

I'm glad there hasn't been another zero day this week but how about some paper? It's been months since I found some paper money.

Maybe I'll open a kissing booth. My dog would pay...

I found two pennies walking this idiot home from getting his Dog Wash in the West Village.

Total haul for the day = .02

TOTAL to date = $18.77

No Stimulus Package Yet

2009-02-14T21:36:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a total zero, nada, niente, zilch, zip, zatz.

Today wasn't much better. I found one cent under a bicycle locked to a No Parking sign.

Total haul for the day = .01

TOTAL to date = $18.75

Just The One

2009-02-12T09:29:00.002-05:00

One cent found near Union Square Park renovation site. Those guys are working hard and making speedy progress.

Total haul today = .01

TOTAL to date = $18.74

One Less Car, One More Penny

2009-02-11T10:27:00.002-05:00

(Image from the Cars Are Evil site.)

It pays to ride the rails. Found a penny in the turnstile at 57th and 7th this morning on my way to Oprah's office at 300 W 57th Street. Nice digs she's got there.

Total haul for the day = .01

TOTAL to date = $18.73

The Agony is Less Now

2009-02-10T09:15:00.003-05:00

Which is worse? Seeing coins on the subway track or in a fountain? At the Met over the weekend I barely caught my daughter as she dove for the pool in the Temple of Dendur, which is littered with coins.

How about this? Which is worse, seeing coins that have been appropriated by hot tar in the street or - and I find this to be much worse - seeing a coin through a locked glass door! Yes, on the dog walk last night a well-lit and shiny new penny mocked me from the locked vestibule of Union Square Wines. I curse whoever locked the place up last night leaving such temptation in view. And I'm sad to know that I will not be there when they open today.

UPDATE: I was not there when they opened but I passed it on my way home from a morning meeting and the penny was still there. Now it's not because my pig ate it. I also found another penny on Rivington.

Total haul for the day = .02

TOTAL to date = $18.72

Tails

2009-02-09T00:19:00.003-05:00

And tails it was. Found one tails up in Union Square near a bike rack.

In Brooklyn I found a penny in the cool new offices of Energy Hub - and they let me keep it.

Back in Manhattan I found a nickel while tying up the dog, two pennies under a bike rack on 14th, and a dime near the front door.

Total haul today = .19

TOTAL to date = $18.70

Got a Pair

2009-02-08T11:45:00.002-05:00

It could be a good found money day. First dog walk yielded two cents and we have BIG plans to be outside much of the day to enjoy the warm weather.

This is a quick drawing of a penny that I will work on and improve and then I'll do the other side. More drawings here (I especially like drawing Scottish tugboats).

Total haul today = .02

TOTAL to date = $18.51

Early One

2009-02-07T11:53:00.003-05:00

Late night dog walk yielded another fouled penny near a construction site on 4th Avenue just a few minutes past midnight. I'm off to the Met today. Last time I went there I found a ten dollar bill on the sidewalk on 83rd. Wish me luck.

Three pennies on the 14th Street subway platform right where we got on the train and another on the steps of the museum. The Met was awesome.

Total haul for the day = .04

TOTAL to date = $18.49

Back to the Tally

2009-02-07T00:55:00.004-05:00

The kid brought home a nickel that she found on the subway and I found a penny in the 51st Street downtown subway station.

Total haul for the day = .06

TOTAL to date = $18.45

CNN Mention by Richard Roth

2009-02-06T09:15:00.008-05:00

See the Humphreys of Staten Island and a little bit of me and Mishka in this CNN clip. Richard Roth is a big fan of dogs, by the way.

Read more about the economy here.

Dirty Baker's Dozen

2009-02-05T13:34:00.006-05:00

One cent found at turnstile coming out of 23rd Street subway station. Another found waiting for bus at 23rd Street. And then the pay day - a dirty dime by a chain link fence circling the construction at Union Square Park. Phew, I needed some silver.

UPDATE: I found another penny - I love this - at the bank. Yup, on the floor by my foot at the teller window at Citibank.

I was thinking about changing the title of today's post from "Dirty Dozen" to "Dirty Baker's Dozen" when I saw a shiny dime under a bicycle locked up to a street sign; I decided to leave the second dime out of the title but it is included in the total.

Total haul today, a dozen cents = .23

TOTAL to date = $18.39

Geat White Pay

2009-02-04T13:33:00.002-05:00

Broadway coughed up two cents for me this morning. One was in a puddle next to a cigarette butt so I nosed it to dry land with my toe before picking it up.

UPDATE: Geez - enough with the pennies already. Sure, I found another one in the Green Market at Union Sq. and that's great, but how about something in a silver metal?

Total haul for the day = .03

TOTAL to date = $18.16

It Ain't Much But It'll Do

2009-02-03T11:44:00.005-05:00

(Image from Gamespot.com)
At least we'll be spared another zero day today. Found a penny on 4th Ave near the goth costume stores. And it wasn't even pierced!

The Prince pays again. I plucked another penny from the Prince Street MTA station. Seems like there's always money on the ground near the card dispenser.

UPDATE: The kid spotted a third penny on the floor at City Bakery during the Hot Chocolate Festival.

Total haul for the day = .03

TOTAL to date = $18.13