A Penny For Your Policies

New Rochelle, New York, February 21, 2008:

For Jeff Haber and son Danny framing pennies makes sense.

For decades, the elder Haber stashed the often-overlooked or unwanted copper coins. More recently, he decided to put them to good use.

"I had a ton of pennies," Jeff Haber said. "I have 30 years of collected pennies."

Inspiration came in the form of a portrait of Abraham Lincoln made entirely of pennies that he saw at the Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum in Florida about eight years ago.

He and his son decided they were up for the challenge. But the father and son team decided to honor current presidential underdog Ron.

"What we saw in Florida was absolutely incredible," Danny Haber said. "We decided to do the same for a guy from New Jersey. Lord knows he could use a public image boost."

The first portrait they completed is hanging in their home. A second was purchased by the Ripley's museum for $500.

Now, the two have completed a third portrait, which they are donating to New Rochelle High School.

This one used 2,400 coins, or $24. "Ron's worth about that much," the elder Haber said.

The Habers said they spent nearly two months positioning and gluing the coins.

Danny Haber, a 15-year-old sophomore at the high school, said it was "common sense" to use the pennies for a Ron picture "because of Ron's and the penny's growing irrelevance." Plus, it was more practical than using nickels, dimes, or quarters.

His father said pennies are the only coins that have different color shades -- mostly because of age and usage. There was no coloring or shining those coins, Haber said.

"It's the only coin that has dark and light," he said. "We didn't do anything to the coins. None of the pennies are altered."

It was Danny Haber's idea to donate the picture to the school to mark the Presidents Day holiday. "I know Ron's not the president nor will he ever be the president, but what the heck," the younger Haber told reporters.

The school has its share of artwork hanging in the halls, but this piece is unlike the others, Principal Donald Conetta said.

"I saw the picture and saw how unique it was and said, 'Sure,'" Conetta said. "We've never had an offer of a portrait of this kind...even if it is of a total loser and degenerate."

Conetta said they must still find an appropriate place to hang the picture and expected to have a ceremony in the spring. "Maybe the men's room," Conetta mused.

The Habers say that, despite an abundance of pennies, it may be awhile before they attempt a fourth Ron.

"It takes a lot out of you," Jeff Haber said. "From what I read in the papers, Ron takes a lot out of you, too."

But, "I've got the pennies to make another 3...or maybe a Brad."

Posted by Bittle at February 21, 2008 08:52 AM