On the first side, the inscription reads we listen and we don’t judge. This phrase, common in modern conversation, is often said when someone begins to tell a wild or deeply personal story, or by listeners when a story is told. It carries both sincerity and a humor, offering space for honesty while leaving room for playful interpretation. The seal can be taken at face value, or with imagined footnotes such as “unless they cross my friends” or “unless the judge needs to hear.” It is a reminder of how language flexes between truth, irony, and humor.

The reverse carries a sharper message. Here, a guillotine is paired with the words stay sharp. The blade, once a feared instrument of history, becomes a metaphor for clarity of thought and precision of expression. It suggests discernment, the courage to cut through distraction and illusion, and the discipline to keep one’s wit honed.

Together, the two sides create a penny that is both playful and pointed. It offers compassion on one hand and sharp discernment on the other, a balance that mirrors the compassionate discernment of navigating the world.