Otha Anders, 73, worked as a supervisor at the Jackson School Board, watching over children suspended from school. He loved his job, and the kids seemed to love him too. Anders was a family man with a loving wife and children who supported his every move. But one particular hobby of his raised a few eyebrows. 

What started as a bit of fun turned into a full-blown obsession.

“I became convinced that spotting a lost or dropped penny was a sign from God reminding me to be thankful,” said Anders.

His faith was the start of his penny obsession. He saw lost old pennies on the floor as his gift from God. He had no idea how many more gifts he would receive. 

When Anders started collecting pennies, he had no idea he’d continue picking them up for 45 years. But once his pile began to grow, he got more and more obsessed. He also always ensured that he kept at least three to four pennies whenever he bought something with cash. It was a small and simple habit to him, but over time, it didn’t look so small anymore. 

“I would never spend a penny,” Anders said. I would break a dollar before giving up a penny. “He was very determined, and when his school students found out about his strange hobby, they wanted to help.

Anders kept collecting his pennies for 45 years. Ultimately, he had collected enough to fill fifteen five-gallon plastic water jugs.

That’s what happened to the owner of a 1943-S Lincoln Wheat penny. The coin had an error, which made it extremely valuable, and its value kept growing over time.

Anders needed help to get the pennies to the Ruston Origina Bank in Ruston, LA.

He got friends to help move the five-gallon containers full of pennies into his truck and the bank. 

The bank employees looked at Anders rolling his containers in on dollies and stared at him, confused. They were amazed by the vast number of pennies. 

Jennie Cole, the bank’s vice president, told reporters that it wasn’t a typical day when Anders showed up with his collection of pennies on a dolly.

Anders was a loyal customer who had never caused any problems, so the manager immediately wanted to help him.

Anders and his friends brought in the containers one by one. Employees gathered to see the first five-gallon container being counted. 

The plastic jugs were smashed open with an axe and a hammer. Counting the pennies using a machine took at least five hours. 

Anders saved an incredible $5,136.14 by collecting pennies for 45 years.

Anders was able to use his money well, spending it on a dental bill that had just been issued to him.

His unusual hobby showed how vital even small amounts of money can be. Who would have thought that collecting pennies could bring you $5,000?