Lucky Quarter

Royal Canadian Mint, ca. 2014

Nickel-plated steel (94% steel, 3.8% copper, 2.2% nickel)

.12 x 2.4 cm diameter

Found object

Personal collection

I pulled this quarter out of my car on January 2, 2017, following the accident that totalled the vehicle. At 17, I did not realize that this object could represent a turning point in my outlook on life. I realized the necessity of focusing on the things that came out of the car accident as opposed to what was lost, and that is what this quarter represents for me. It is a reminder that I was lucky enough to come out of the car and be able to continue to move forward. Objects of the past do not define individuals, but rather represent something that used to be the present moment. These objects must be taken into consideration in the way that they provide an opportunity for personal growth.

The quarter is a representation of value in our culture, and to me this means that I can give value to my past experience and take that value into my future. Coming out of that event was a chance to step up and confront the anxieties that I could have let rule my life. But this did not happen. I took the experience as valuable to crafting the person I am who will confront the difficult parts of life and keep pushing forwards.

Another distinct feature of the object is that it is intact and still functional, available as a metaphor for my body. Despite coming out bruised, this moment did not stop me from functioning. The quarter demonstrates how everyday objects that are interchanged on a regular basis without much thought can hold great significance beyond their apparent value. Ultimately, such items encourage us to consider the personal value and layers of meaning are assigned to objects that surround us.

Alexa Collette