Coastal Currency

Sand dollars are actually sea urchins. Other names are sand cookie (New Zealand) and sea pansy (South Africa). Based on legend, it is also called the Holy Ghost Shell:

LEGEND OF THE SAND DOLLAR

There's a pretty little legend
That I would like to tell
Of the birth and death of Jesus
Found in this lowly shell

If you examine closely,
You'll see that you find here
Four nail holes and a fifth one
Made by a Roman's Spear.

On one side the Easter Lily,
Its center is the star
That appeared unto the wisemen
And led them from afar.

The Christmas poinsettia
Etched on the other side
Reminds us of His birthday
Our Happy Christmastide.

Now break the center open
And here you will release
The five white doves awaiting
To spread Good Will and Peace.

This simple little symbol,
Christ left for you and me
To help us spread his Gospel
Through all eternity. ~

Anonymous

The skeleton of dead sand dollars are silvery white in color, thus the name sand dollar--remember when dollars were coins? (Special note: it is illegal to collect live sand dollars.) Pictured is a sand dollar tree greeting homeowners in Old Port Royal, South Carolina.

Apparently, money does grow on trees!