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Truman Baker Chevrolet Never-Go-Broke Penny from Searcy AR 1948

By Barbara S. Duncan

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

December 16, 2012 08:52 AM

Recently there was a penny for sale on ebay. That's a penny. One cent. And it sold for $58.99. Here is the penny.

Truman Baker Cheverolet lucky penny

I saw this on ebay and started watching it. Truman Baker Chevrolet is no longer in existence but it was for a long long time. Even the building where the dealership was located is gone. But Searcy folks loved that man, Truman Baker, and his dealership. He must have passed out these little coins and someone held on to theirs. I was tempted to bid on it myself! $58.99. Better check your change drawer and see if you have one tucked away.

For newcomers to Searcy AR, the dealership was located where Walgreen's now operates.

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Cooper Jacobs

Looking For A Seattle Realtor? COOPERJACOBS.COM - Seattle, WA

Real Estate Brokers - Seattle

We want one...let the bidding begin again.

Dec 16, 2012 09:08 AM

Anonymous

Anita Fuller

Don probably has a drawer full! If he ever got one, bet he still has it, and not only that, knows where it is!

Dec 16, 2012 09:36 PM

Don Thompson

Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

Sorry, Anita, I don't have any of those coins. I remember there was a machine in the bus station in the Rendezvous for making the aluminum disks with a penny inside. Surely some of you Searcians have one of those souvenir coins. Paula had one but I don't have it now. I think I posted a picture of it on one of Barbara's blogs but I haven't been able to find it.

They were called lucky pennys and usually had the slogan "Keep me and never go Broke" like the Truman Baker one. I remember seeing one of the machines in a casino in Las Vegas. Seem appropriate to have one of those lucky pennies there.

Here's one I would love to have.

Dec 17, 2012 03:46 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Anita, my bet is that one of the heirs of the Truman Baker firm bought it. It would be special to them.

Don, be sure to look through all your stuff before you say you don't have it. I like the one in your picture. My mother carried a little bag of coins, old ones, in her purse. She thought they'd be valuable someday. She didn't realize that their rubbing together all the time damaged them so they were worth face value only.

Dec 17, 2012 09:29 AM

I remember the machine at the bus station and I know I made several thru the years. Of course I don't have them now, mores the pity.

I used to collect Indian head pennies....probably had about 25. One day the little brother of my best friend saw them and - foolish me - I gave them all to him. That would have been about l953-54.

And Don, I remember you're posting the picture of Paula's penny on Searcy Yesteryear. I'll help you look for it.

Dec 17, 2012 10:19 PM

Debbie Wantulok

It brings new meaning to "A Penny for your Thoughts". Don't let Luke see this post or he will be wanting$58.99 for his thoughts from now on.

I have heard of Truman Baker all my life...I would say they were known all over the state of Arkansas cause I'm basicly a new comer to Searcy.

Loved the post and the find...I would have kept my penny too!

Dec 19, 2012 11:56 AM

Anita, my email forwarding has been down so I have had a hard time keeping up with comments. Giving away those pennies was a very unselfish thing you did. I remember my son had a whole huge jar of pennies that he'd saved and he gave them to his best friend when the best friend admired the jar and the collection. That was nice too. Wonder where the jar is now.

Debbie, that was a nice letter to the editor in the paper today regarding Luke's hat. You are a super nice person with a super nice family.

Dec 19, 2012 09:02 PM

I still looking for the picture of Paula's lucky penny and have asked her daughter to look for the actual penny and take a pic for me. She hasn't found it so far.

Here's another penny handed out by W.H. Fuller Plumbing Co. This was Cotton Fuller's dad. That 1940 penny could have been a shiny, new one when these tokens were made!

Cotton Fuller Lucky Penny Cotton Fuller Lucky Penny 2

Under the head is "I bring good luck" and over tails is "Plbg. Heating & Elec. Co."

Dec 19, 2012 10:00 PM

Don, that's another good adition to the blog. I remember Mr. Fuller very well. He was both electrician and plumber and I used his services a lot while he was still active.

Dec 20, 2012 02:47 AM

Steve Hoffacker

Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL

Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Barbara,

That's quite the appreciation for a penny but a great keepsake. :)

Steve

Dec 22, 2012 02:40 PM

Thanks, Steve.

Dec 22, 2012 09:55 PM

Truman Baker Chevrolet Never-Go-Broke Penny from Searcy AR 1948

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