Here's the first entry in our Holiday Craft Contest. This is The Pennyman, created by Brian Sparks of Fort Dodge, Iowa. 

Here's Brian's note that he sent along with his entry: 

A snowman reminds me of winter and the holidays, so I created The Pennyman. This gave me a chance to go down to my local bank and pick up a box of pennies to go through. I found 18 wheaties.

The Pennyman is able to see through Indian eyes and has a smile worth of rosie dimes. His base is made of 95 percent copper pennies, just like his buttons. His copper coated zinc body is kept warm only by a $4.00 hat. Although his arms are throwing up the peace sign, they are weak and fragile, like the $1.00 Federal Reserve notes they are made of. 

The Pennyman currently is on display at the local coin store in Fort Dodge, Iowa. More collectors can enjoy him there, instead of sitting in my living room. I will auction him off the weekend before Christmas and donate all the money to the local coin club.

Kudos to Brian for finding a way to support his local coin club. And keep those submissions coming, because we have some great prizes: 

Prize packs

First place:

• A 1962 silver proof Franklin Half Dollar
• A 2012 ANA special edition of "A Guide Book to United States Coins" (the Red Book) with an error on the cover (the type is doubled on the cover).
• A copy of Paul Hollis's book, "American Numismatist."
• A copy of David Akers's book, "United States Gold Patterns." 

Second place: 

• A 2012 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set from the Denver Mint. 
• A 500-piece jigsaw puzzle of depicting Lute Player on a 1685 German silver 3 thaler, from Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel
• A copy of Paul Hollis's book, "American Numismatist."
• A copy of David Akers's book, "United States Gold Patterns." 

Third place: 

• An uncirculated roll of 2012 one-cent euros
• A copy of Paul Hollis's book, "American Numismatist."
• A copy of David Akers's book, "United States Gold Patterns."