10 Things You Didn't Know About The Batcave
6. Why Is There A Giant Penny?
The Giant Penny is impossible to miss, mainly because... it's a giant penny. It's odd how iconic this currency has become since its origin is based on a very forgettable villain. In World's Finest Comics #30, Batman faced a penny-obsessed crook called Joe Coyne. (Yes, his name is actually Coyne.) Tired of earning pennies selling newspapers, Coyne decided to become a penny-oriented criminal and took on the name, the Penny Plunderer. After Batman stopped him from stealing a 216lb one-cent coin at an exhibition, the curator allowed the superhero to take it as a thank you.
Batman has had to move the Giant Penny out of the cave several times while his HQ was heavily damaged or it was being renovated. Once, the coin fell into the water at the bottom of the cave, forcing Batman to call Aquaman to retrieve it. Why Bats is so protective and nostalgic over this Penny is anyone's guess.
It's worth mentioning that Batman creator, Bill Finger, liked when characters fought on oversized objects such as typewriters, dice, bowling pins, stamps, tongs, playing cards, and - of course - pennies.