1939 FUNERAL DIRECTOR encased cent POCKET KNIFE weird Start Price USD 24.99 Current Price USD 24.99 Time Left - Bid Count 1 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, July 18, 2008 End Time Monday, July 28, 2008 Location IOWA CITY, IA See more about '1939 FUNERAL DIRECTOR encased cent POCKET KNIFE weird' Description What a weird and wonderful piece of funeral director memorabilia!  It includes a 1939 Lincoln Cent placed in a blue & gold box with a pocket knife attached by a string to the box, which measures a approximately 2 3/8" wide x 4" long x 3/8" deep.  The four corners of the box top are torn, and there is wear along the edges.  Two of the four corners of the box bottom are torn, and there is wear.  However, the tears don't ruin the way the coin and pocketknife look.  Most of the box top is clean, and there are no scratches or gouges.  It's very nice looking.  The cent is firmly embedded in the holder, and I didn't try to take it out.  It raises one interesting question:  Why did MARTIN J. BEHNKE, FUNERAL DIRECTOR (as printed on the knife) have give-away pocket knives made.  I'm trying to figure out how knives and pennies play in with funerals.  Can anybody give me some help on this?  I had a friend who became a funeral director, and when people asked him why, he would reply in a spooky voice, "Because it's a grave business."  So where do knives fit in?  Not that they have to, but there might be some bit of secret humor hidden here.  Funeral directors I've know have a sly sense of humor. The bottom of the inside of the box has the following words on either side of the cent: Best Wishes Go To You With This Fine Quality Pocket Knife.   (Cent in the middle)   The Penny, According To Legend, Assures Lasting Good Will. Place a Bid!