A Penny for Your Thoughts
(Possible Answers)
Suppose that 2000 years from now an archaeologist who knew nothing of our society and government was poking around the ruins of a United States city. After all his digging he was only able to find a penny. Based on studying the penny what would he know about our government and us?
Instructions: Tape two pennies to this sheet of paper. One should show the front (obverse side) of the coin and the other the back (reverse side). What can the archaeologist learn from each part of the penny? Answer below.
Metal- He could tell we knew how to mine and knew the science of metallurgy.
Shape- He would know from the circle that we understood geometry.
Date- This would show him that we understood arithmetic and that we had a calendar.
Portrait of Lincoln- He would determine that we had artists and important leaders.
Words "United States"- He would know we were a group of small local communities bound together by a central government.
Phrase "e pluribus Unum"- This would tell him that we understood foreign language and held some of the beliefs of that civilization.
Word "liberty"- This word would allow the man to know that we sought to have freedom for every person.
Phrase "In God We Trust"- This would let the archaeologist know that we had moral law and recognized religion.