Man Saves Pennies For 45 Years and Rakes In a Fortune

Otha Anders entered the bank pushing a dolly, the clinking of coins immediately drawing attention. Known as the “coin master,” Anders also served as a supervisor on the Jackson School Board, helping children who had been suspended. Despite the seriousness of his role, the kids were fond of him.

Anders had a supportive wife and children, though his unusual hobby raised a few eyebrows. What began as a casual task eventually became a dedicated obsession—collecting pennies.

For Anders, every penny he found carried spiritual significance. He believed that discovering a penny was God’s way of reminding him to be thankful. Even on days when he neglected prayer, a penny would often appear, reinforcing his sense of gratitude.

“Seeing a lost or dropped penny became a God-given reminder to stay thankful,” Anders told USA Today. “If I ever skipped prayer, a penny would often show up to remind me.”

For 45 years, Anders stored his pennies in five-gallon water jugs. Over time, the collection grew to what he guessed were hundreds of thousands of coins, though he didn’t know the exact total.

When he brought the jugs to the bank, employees had a unique experience. Using hammers, axes, and a coin-counting machine, they spent five hours extracting and tallying the coins. The final total? $5,136.14—roughly $114 per year. Who knew pennies could eventually buy an old car!

Anders chose to use the money wisely, paying off a dental bill first. With the remaining funds, he sponsored a family trip and donated to his church, happily turning decades of small change into meaningful impact.