UNITED STATES — As Memorial Day weekend begins on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 10:15 AM EDT, families across the nation are visiting cemeteries, where they may notice coins placed on the headstones of fallen soldiers, a longstanding tradition of remembrance and honor. This practice, carries deep significance for military families and veterans.
The tradition, which dates back to the Roman Empire, gained prominence in the U.S. during the Vietnam War amid political divisions, offering a discreet way to honor the deceased without family disputes. Coins left on gravesites convey specific messages: a penny signifies a visit, a nickel indicates shared boot camp training, a dime denotes having served together, and a quarter signals the visitor was present when the soldier died. Funds collected from coins at national and state veterans’ cemeteries are used to maintain the grounds or cover burial costs for indigent veterans.
Some Vietnam veterans also left coins as a symbolic “down payment” for a future beer or card game with their fallen comrades. With the U.S. Mint set to cease penny production by early 2026 due to rising costs, as reported earlier this week, the tradition may evolve, though existing coins remain legal tender and usable for this purpose.
This Memorial Day, as families gather to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the sight of coins on headstones continues to reflect a quiet, enduring tribute.
