What happens to coins you throw in fountains?

It is such an instinctual thing to throw a coin into a fountain and make a wish. But have you ever thought about what happens to your coin? This is your coin’s journey.

Millions of coins are thrown into thousands of fountains each day. It is a practice that never gets old and transcends the races. Many believe it is simply an act to reflect our need to hope tangibly, but the varied origin stories seem more fun.

In ancient times, there was a European belief that spirits dwelt at the bottom of every fountain and well. If they were not paid tribute (coins) they would be angered and bring misfortune.

Local Roman lore inspired the film "Three Coins in the Trevi Fountain”. You need to face away from the fountain and throw three coins into the fountain over your left shoulder and using your right hand. The first guarantees your return to Rome, the second leads to a new romance, and the third leading to marriage.

In Celtic and Nordic lore, throwing coins into freshwater wells honours the gods as clean drinking water was incomprehensible in their age. One famous story is of Mimir's Well, also called the "Well of Wisdom,”. This well granted infinite wisdom for those who sacrificed something dear. Regular people threw coins but Odin, the all-father of the gods, sacrificed his right eye to see the future.

Pagan myth follows Coventina, the goddess of wells and springs, as she was offered coins in exchange for a prayer. Today, most people treat wishing wells as ‘lucky’ because of it.

For the people of Iran, the citizens acknowledge Saadi, their national poet, by tossing coins into a pool that is part of his mausoleum.

With all these myths, lores, and beliefs the fountains are always swimming with coins. How is there always space for more?

The Municipality of Rome decided to collect coins from the Trevi Fountain daily to prevent theft as it turns over around AUD 5,700 worth of coins each day. Some of this money is used for fountain restoration but the bulk amount is offered to Caritas. Which is a Roman charity that redistributes the money to run food and social programs for the needy and oppressed. In 2008, Caritas even opened a low-cost supermarket in Rome.

Another famous attraction is the Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas which collects about AUD 21,500 per year. Coin collectors use a giant vacuum to suck the coins off the bottom of the lake and are filled into a cement mixer lined with towels. Eventually, they are donated to Habitat for Humanity.

In Australia, the most famous coin fountain is the National Gallery of Victoria (NVG). They

collect their coins twice a year from the 3200 square metres moat outside the building. All collected coins are recorded as donations to the NGV for the acquisition of artwork. Coins collected in the Parliament House fountains go straight to UNICEF. Other smaller fountains in shopping centres around Australia also donate to various charities and non-profit organisations.