Front: “This Too Shall Pass · Nothing Lasts Forever”
Back: “Accept what is, let go of what was, have faith in what will be” · “Tempus edax rerum”

At a glance

• Theme: calm in the waves: hard times pass, and good times too
• Good for: anxiety, grief, a stressful season, a bad week at work
• Gift for: a friend going through it, someone grieving, an anxious colleague
• Finishes: Antique Silver (brass alloy), Antique Bronze (brass alloy), Antique Copper (solid copper)
• Size: 39 mm, about 1 oz, die struck in the USA

The meaning

The phrase comes from an old Persian story about a king who asked his wise men for words that would make him happy when sad and sad when happy. They gave him a ring bearing the words this too shall pass. Abraham Lincoln retold the story in an 1859 speech.

It works both ways. In a hard season, it is a promise that this will end. In a good one, it is a reminder to enjoy it while it lasts. The back adds three steps: accept what is, let go of what was, have faith in what will be.

The design

The front is a clock face with Roman numerals, the sun and the moon, and a small orbiting symbol at the center, with the words around the rim. The back shows a tree of life with its roots spread wide, flanked by Tempus edax rerum, time the devourer of all things.

On good days and hard days

• On good days, it reminds you to enjoy the moment while it lasts, because good times pass too.
• On hard days, when anxiety, grief or a stressful season takes over, it is a promise to hold on to: this will pass. Accept what is, let go of what was.

Carry it

This is one of our most reviewed coins, and a lot of people keep it on the desk. One customer wrote that it has become “a fidget toy with a message.” Another reached for it when the markets dropped 4,000 points in two days.

Give it

Customers give it to friends going through divorce, illness, loss or a stressful job. It doesn't need a long card. The coin says the thing people want to hear: this will pass.

Specs

• Diameter: 1.54 in (39 mm), about the size of a silver dollar
• Thickness: 2.7 mm
• Weight: about 1 oz (28 g)
• Material: brass alloy (Antique Silver, Antique Bronze) or solid copper (Antique Copper)
• Made: die struck, minted in the USA
• Each coin is antiqued with a special patina so it looks like it has already been in circulation. The patina never settles the same way twice, so no two coins look exactly alike. Small variations in color and shading are normal, and they are what make your coin one of a kind.

Questions

Where does “this too shall pass” come from?
From a Persian fable about a king's ring, retold by Persian poets and later by Abraham Lincoln in 1859. It is not a Bible verse, though many people think it is.

What can I give a friend who is going through a hard time?
Something small they can hold. This coin is one of our most gifted for hard seasons, because its message works for grief, stress and anxiety alike.

Is this a good worry coin?
Yes. Many customers keep it on their desk or in a pocket to hold when they feel anxious.

Other coins you might like

• Seneca Coin: for worry and overthinking
• Keep Going Coin: for the middle of the worst week
• Wabi Sabi Coin: peace with imperfection
• Dum Spiro Spero Coin: while I breathe, I hope

For keys: This Too Shall Pass Key Tag.

Care: keep it dry and wipe it with a soft cloth. No polishing needed; the aged finish is part of the look.

Original design by EDC Reminder Coins, protected by copyright. We don't take custom orders.