Where In The United States Does The Custom Of Pinning Birthday Dollars Occur And Who Does It?

Nola.com, Oct 15, 2018 Why do people in New Orleans pin cash to themselves on their birthdays? On this edition of Louisianswers, the Latitude by NOLA.com team looks into where this tradition comes from. ****
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents a compilation of internet comments about the custom of pinning birthday dollars with a focus on where and in which populations this custom has occurred in the United States.
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.   
Thanks to the producer/s and publisher of this embedded video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
This is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on the custom of pinning birthday dollars.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/09/pinning-birthday-dollars.html and http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-custom-of-wearing-birthday-dollars.html for two previous pancocojams posts in this series. Also, click the "spraying money" tag below for pancocojams posts about the West African custom that I believe is one of the main sources for the African American version of the custom of pinning birthday dollars.****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
As this embedded video indicates, pinning birthday dollars is probably an adaptation of the Nigerian (and some other West African nations) custom of spraying (showering) money on certain people as a symbol of good fortune and/or appreciation.  In the United States, the custom of pinning birthday dollars may also come from the other traditions that are mentioned in the video that is embedded in this pancocojams post. It's interesting that this video doesn't mention the theory that the custom of pinning birthday dollars comes from the Cajun people of Louisiana.

That said, from the online comments that I've read, it certainly appears that in the United States the custom of pinning birthday dollars mostly occurs among African Americans. However, this doesn't mean that all African Americans are familiar with and/or have ever performed this custom. 

I'm African American and I have no experience with this custom in New Jersey, including the cities in South Jersey and North Jersey where I lived or frequented (Atlantic City; East Orange; Newark). I also have only vague recollections of seeing people with dollars pinned to their outfits in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where I've lived since 1969. I don't know anyone in Pittsburgh or anywhere else who practices this tradition of pinning dollars to outfits for birthdays or for any other ocassions,

However, my daughter who was born and raised in Pittsburgh and still lives here indicates that she is somewhat familiar with this custom as she has seen some Black people in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (particularly women) wearing dollars pinned to the top of their outfits at Black nightclubs in Pittsburgh since the 1990s. She also recalls recently seeing a Black child in Pittsburgh wearing birthday dollars at an Urban Air indoor trampoline play venue.   ****
The compilation in this pancocojams post includes one comment that briefly notes that the commenter's friend from Pittsburgh wasn't familiar with the custom of pinning birthday dollars until she moved to Texas. (Online Source #2, comment #5). I'm presuming that "Pittsburgh" refers to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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The comment section of this post included links to three videos of an African American senior citizens "hand dance" group from the DMV (Washington D. C., Maryland, Virginia area) that show birthday celebrants wearing pinned dollars on the top of their outfits.
****This compilation isn't meant to be all inclusive.
Please add to this list of where the custom of pinning dollars occurs in the United States and who celebrates/celebrated this custom by sharing your comments below. Thanks! 
****SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC
These online sources are quoted in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.ONLINE SOURCE #1
From https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/why-we-get-a-bunch-of-money-pinned-on-our-shirts-when-its-our-birthday.4875289/ "Why we get a bunch of money pinned on our shirts when its our birthday"  Thread starter Carielle, Start date Apr 19, 2022 [total # of comments: 92]

[Pancocojams Editor's Note: Almost all the members of lipstickalley.com are African American women. https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/is-it-true-that-a-black-man-started-this-forum.3534181/

1. OctoberBlu, Apr 19, 2022
"I don't  know where it came from, but I'm from Texas and we do it here."

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2. Carielle, Apr 19, 2022
"LoveSupreme said:

“Why we get a bunch of money pinned on our shirts when it's our birthday?”​
Who is “we?” Never heard of this in my life!

I would say we as in us blk people, but i also see white down here doing it too.

[This comment includes three photographs of people with dollars pinned to their outfits, including a now iconic photograph of an elderly Black man with lots of dollars pinned to the front of his suit.] swearing birpx...]

Maybe it's just a Louisiana & Tx thing".

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3. MsBIGChoc, Apr 19, 2022 
"In Florida and black people do it here"
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4. Noladebby, Apr 19, 2022
"…I've only seen Blacks here in New Orleans do this. I didn't even think other people did this in other States."
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5. HIATUSSS, Apr 19, 2022
"Texas native here. We do this, young and old lol literal strangers will give you a dollar to pin to your shirt.."

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6. Granny Gray, April 19, 2022
"Never heard of it. I grew up in NC. Never saw it in VA, TN, SC, or GA. It sounds like an African tradition."

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7. Jazzie T, Apr 19, 2022
"We do it in Tennessee too. Don't know where it came from and why but it's always funny to see."

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8. Hi5Perry, Apr 19, 2022
"I'm in FL & I've never seen this done"

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9. DreamyEyes, Apr 19, 2022
"People do this in Mississippi and Alabama too."
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10.Gudetama1992, Apr 19, 2022
"We did this in Mississippi too!"

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11. Misty Cannon, April 19, 2022
"I'’m from Florida and we used to do this in middle and high school. I guess it’s just a little inside thing. We only did it at school tho"

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12. CarterWT, April 19, 2022
"We do here in TX"

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13. Chocolate Sugar,Apr 19, 2022
"In my West African country - pinning/throwing money is done at weddings (for the bride/groom and griots) and baby naming ceremonies (for the women who are managing all of the cooking/cleaning/tidying up/etc. throughout the event).

It’s seen as a blessing (and also saves everyone time from buying physical gifts lol).

I’ve also experienced this living in the DMV on one of my birthdays, but it was a regulars spot and come to find out that’s their tradition for anyone celebrating birthdays that they know. Sweet gesture."
-snip-
"DMV" is an informal abbreviation for the Washington , D.C, Maryland, Virginia area.
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14. xxnEKbo, Apr 19, 2022
"Am from the south (La.) too and love this tradition. I stopped doing it when I turned 21 a couple years ago, but the pin money I got that day stretched! It’s such a fun tradition. Reading through the thread..I am shocked that others haven’t ever done this. Must really be a southern thing. Love that for us."
-snip-
"La" = Louisiana  (not "LA" which means Los Angeles, California.

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15. Priceless Peer, Apr 19, 2022
"Shoot, back when I used to run the streets I did this in the club in ATL and got much money."
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"ATL" = Atlanta, Georgia

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https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/why-we-get-a-bunch-of-money-pinned-on-our-shirts-when-its-our-birthday.4875289/page-2

16. LaDela, Apr 19, 2022
"My family has done it in Ohio and Texas. I’m curious as to how it started too."
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17. Letscook11, Apr 19, 2022
"My family has deep roots in Louisiana. We live in Ohio but I grew up doing this.

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18. Bloomers, Apr 19, 2022
"I haven't seen this done since my middle/high school days. Don't really see adults doing it. I'm in GA."
-snip-
"GA" = Georgia

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19. xxxBDSMxxx, Apr 19, 2022
"i doubt this started in africa since africa used shells, cattle, goats, iron, gold, fabric, etc.. but they did not used banknotes or parchments as currency that came with the europeans.

here in the Bama primarily the black belt it has a real defined meaning it's called "Pin da Chile" and only children can be pinned boys stop being pinned at 12 and girls when they start their period. You supposed to pin the child only for 24 hours starting when the child was born and the money collected is to be "blessed" and "banked" the child can't spend the money or the parents the money is given when the child is up of aged, when the boy is 13 and girl when she starts her period. All the money collected before and after is the 24 hrs is not considered the "blessing" also any money the child found that year and all their years as a child is not to be spent as well but "banked".
-snip-
"the Bama" = Alabama

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20. DZA, Apr 19, 2022
"I don't know why - if I had to guess, it's because it's like a symbol of blessings? I've mostly seen it being done for kids.

For adults, I've seen it done for bride-to-be's during their bachelorette celebrations and even on their wedding days."

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30. Nap Nap, Apr 19, 2022
"It's done here in Mississippi, too. I always wondered where it started from."

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31. Gavin Malachi, Apr 19, 2022
"My maternal family has roots in South Carolina and we do this"

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32. GiaStacks, Apr 19, 2022
"We do it here in Detroit! Kids, Teenagers, Adults! If it’s your bday, pin some money on you you’ll have random people giving you money all day! We do the necklace too!

It’s my birthday, gimme some money!"

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33. :Axel:, Apr 19, 2022
"Florida checking in and this is really common. I just assumed it was black tradition. Not everyone did but a large percentage"

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34. BellaLyfe, Apr 19, 2022
"Im from texas and this is a common thing among blk folks. Im not sure why."

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35. MelodyHolt, Apr 19, 2022
"I’m from Indy. We did this. I haven’t seen anyone do this in the last 10 years tho."...
-snip-
"Indy" = Indiana

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36. Hi5Perry, Apr 19, 2022
..." This money thing seems like a tradition among Black & white people from Louisiana. People migrate & bring their traditions with them so that's probably why some non-LA people do it or have seen it"

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37. Beeza, Apr 20, 2022
"It originated in southern Louisiana"

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38. dreamy fairy, Apr 20, 2022
"never seen this in caribbean background. i never rlly got presents wrapped etc, mostly money just not pinned on clothes."

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39. MysteriousMW, Apr 20, 2022
"I’m from Ohio and we do it, my folks (great grandparents) from Kentucky, Georgia and South Carolin"

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https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/why-we-get-a-bunch-of-money-pinned-on-our-shirts-when-its-our-birthday.4875289/page-3

40.  90s fine, April 20, 2022
"I’m from TN, we do it in my end ( East).

One of my coworkers received a total of $100.00 pinned to her shirt.

My other coworker was even getting money pinned by guests, not just those of us at work.

The older people in my family get money pins.

I’ve seen some kids get money pins at their birthday party.

Since west TN is closer to LA and TX I’d be shocked if they don’t do it, when we do it on our end."

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41. jaipea, Apr 20, 2022
"This is an old tradition from somewhere. I'm from Kansas and I've seen it done here for milestone birthdays, graduations and weddings."

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43. foreverflop, Apr 20, 2022
"I’ve lived on the East and West coasts, in the Midwest and in the South. I’ve never seen or heard of this before.

I’m letting everyone know they owe me retro pay!"

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44.  Romedy2000, April 20, 2022
"Midwest does it too"

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45. koop, Apr 20, 2022
"WE DO it HERE IN GA... but I dont I just always thought it looked crazy especially on these big 40 year old plus people"

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46. Ntsap, April 20, 2022
"Granny Gray said:

Never heard of it. I grew up in NC. Never saw it in VA, TN, SC, or GA. It sounds like an African tradition.

I live and go to school in two of these states and have been seeing it since I was a little kid. Seems to be a southern thing."

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46. Iron_Dolly, Apr 20, 2022
"I'm from Louisiana and never really thought about the origin. One thing is for certain. It's a Black thing whether regional or not even if you haven't seen it. Only white people doing this are copying off us."

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47. elanoire, Apr 21, 2022
"I’ve lived a few states down south-Only ever saw it on a child in atlanta."

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ONLINE SOURCE #2
From https://www.facebook.com/OonkasBoonkas/posts/10152321751568172 Oonkas Boonkas, June 26, 2014  
"The Cajun Tradition of pinning money onto the birthday boy or girl is the most prevalent among African Americans with it being at it's highest concentration in New Orleans.

This is an old New Orleans tradition. This is not a “new” ritual at least not to those of us from New Orleans. The first time it happened to me a French Quarter chef pinned a $20 note on me said happy Birthday and gave me a kiss I didn't know what to do.

And, although it’s roots are in the black community, everyone in NOLA celebrates with this tradition if they are so inclined. It doesn’t matter what color you are! We are a gumbo of people in NOLA who truly assimilate and appreciate each others culture, i.e. jazz, creole cooking, etc...."

Comments:
1. Tony Stanton, 2015
"I have that photo of the gentleman with the money..I bought it on Frenchman street Tawan Stanton"
-snip-
This comment and the replies refer to a now iconic photograph of an elderly Black man with lots of birthday dollars pinned to his suit jacket. This photograph is also a part of the comment given as #3 in Online Source #1.

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Reply
2. Oonkas Boonkas, 2018
"You are so lucky to have this photo. Uncle Lionel was a true gentleman, dressing to the nines as he used to sasha down Royal Street but most importantly he was a talented musical legend."

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Reply
3. Sarah Spangler,2022
"Yes, your picture is of Lionel Batiste (late), uncle of Grammy winner John. That family is highly respected and has deep roots in New Orleans music scene."

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4. Johnny Silva, 2019
"Latinos have been doing this in San Antonio, Texas and South texas for decades. Wasn't sure where it originated from."

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Reply
5. Johnny Silva, 2019
"My girlfriend, who moved to Texas from Pittsburgh, had never heard about this tradition. She finally experienced it on her bday weekend at our hangout. 🙂"

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Reply
6. Lis Perez, 2019
"Johnny Silva Michigan....some of us here participated in this"

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Reply
7. Jennifer Bussiere, 2019
"I grew up mostly in Erie PA..( I wonder how the tradition has migrated to here to both non African American and African American but non creole roots ??)in grade school ( small private Catholic )I saw this and then more recently I've seen this sporadically when I've gone out to neighborhood bars..I alwsys wondered and find history of social customs very interesting..thanks for your post"

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Reply
8. Nandi A. Crawford, 2019
"We do this in Mobile, Alabama as well. I remember when my father died in May, 2007, and at the funeral, one of the young members had a birthday pin, and since I had money they gave me, I took out some $$ for him. If I have it, I'll give it to pin on you. Now I moved to Mobile as a teen, but it's a great gesture. Remind me a bit of partner."

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9. Travis Cochran,2022
"Folks do this in north east texas( on or near the LA. Line). Thanks for the history leson. It was a very interesting read.."

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ONLINE SOURCE #3
From https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60864-i34-k6516709-o10-Has_anyone_ever_done_the_pin_a_dollar_to_your_shirt_thing-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html Has anyone ever done the "pin a dollar to your shirt" thing? [in the “New Orleans topic” section]

1. Re: Has anyone ever done the "pin a dollar to your shirt" thing?, 2013
"Locals all know what it means. Not just a New Orleans thing, I have seen it done in Arkansas. Not sure how widespread it is, the whole Deep South or just a couple of states. It is a fun custom."
-snip-
No comments were posted in response to this comment.
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ONLINE SOURCE #4 
From https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060824102245AAlarf6 What's up with pinning dollar bills to your shirt on your birthday? [August 2, 2023: This page is no longer active]
" Question:
"What's the story behind pinning dollar bills to your shirt on your birthday? Do people do this any other time, or all the time? How many dollars are you supposed to pin to yourself? Apparently it's a black person thing popular in schools. I've only seen one person do it, but other people have mentioned it and we couldn't figure out why people would do something that silly.

Update: Do you provide your own cash, or do you try to persuade others to donate?"
-no name given, 2007
1. "It's not a black thing. It's a "people that can use a little extra cash thing". They used to do it when I lived in Houston, but I moved to a nicer neighborhood and they don't do that anymore. See? It's also a way of giving people a chance to give you a birthday present if they haven't already. When I was in Houston, your friends would decorate the first bill with markers, and it went on top."
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2. bornagain, 2007
"It's a form of gift giving. They do this at wedding, birthdays and other celebrations. And it's not just a black thing. My family does it and we're asian. No, you don't provide your own bills, your guests give the money willingly.

Source(s):
my family"
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