What exactly does the term Pennies from Heaven mean?

Answer 1

I have always heard that it is an angel letting you know they are with you in spirit.

(Author unknown)

I found a penny today

Just laying on the ground.

But it's not just a penny,

this little coin I've found.

Found pennies come from heaven,

That's what my Grandpa told me.

He said Angels toss them down.

Oh, how I loved that story.

He said when an Angel misses you,

They toss a penny down.

Sometimes just to cheer you up,

To make a smile out of your frown.

So, don't pass by that penny,

When you're feeling blue. It may be a penny from heaven,

that an Angel's tossed to you.

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Contrary to what people might idealistically believe - poems written in 1988 as is the one by Charles Marshburn above, or urban legends of actual heaven sent (no pun intended) pennies from angels - the phrase "Pennies from Heaven" appears to have originated as a way to explain an unexpected windfall.

From Oxford English Dictionary:

"e. pennies from heaven: money acquired without effort or risk; unexpected benefits, esp. financial ones. Also (in sing.): a windfall, a godsend (rare). [1st two citations:] [1928 A. BURSTEIN Ghetto Messenger 91 The gentleman, being cognizant of 'pennies falling from heaven' and other tricks.., appeared to take it seriously.] 1936 J. BURKE (title of song) Pennies from heaven."

The first citation appears to be a coincidence. "Pennies falling from heaven" was just a newsworthy wordsmith way of reporting actual pennies falling from the sky.

The song from 1936 is about being thankful for the little things, because they are treasures beyond compare - blue skies and new moons, and raindrops with which you can trade for or purchase sunshine and flowers (Pennies from Heaven).

My own interpretation is that it is a play on the biblical phrase "Mana from Heaven", which is also used in the present as a way to explain providential fortune when something is needed.