Leaving coins on gravestones is a longstanding tradition with deep historical and symbolic significance, particularly in military cemeteries. Here’s what different coins represent—and why people continue this practice today.
Origins of the Tradition
This custom is believed to have ancient roots, but it became widely recognized in the U.S. during the Vietnam War as a way to honor fallen soldiers.
Possible Historical Influences:
Greek & Roman Mythology – Coins were placed on the eyes or in the mouths of the dead to pay Charon, the ferryman who carried souls across the River Styx to the afterlife.
American Civil War – Some historians suggest soldiers left coins to settle debts or mark visits.
What Different Coins Symbolize
In U.S. military cemeteries, the type of coin left on a headstone carries a specific meaning:
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