A mechanic has won the lottery after finding a lucky penny face-up on the ground.
Ralph Mayton Jr. put the coin in his pocket.
He was feeling fortunate so decided to buy a lotto ticket.
Ralph then scooped £218,479 ($266,982).
But he said that a history of pranks led to his mother believing that his lottery win was just another joke.
The lucky winner admitted that he is still having trouble convincing her it’s real.
Ralph headed to a petrol station store in Graham, northwest of Charlotte, North Carolina, US, after scooping up the penny.
He bought a 100X The Cash Fast Play ticket.
At the time, the progressive jackpot stood at £54,813 ($66,982).
However, as he bought a £16.40 ($20) ticket, he received the jackpot prize as well as an additional £163,666 ($200,000).
He explained: “I always hear it’s good luck if it’s laying heads up and darn it if I don’t believe it now.
“I still got it in my pocket right now and I’m keeping it forever.”
Ralph, who has been fixing cars for over 40 years, said: “I had no idea that I won the extra $200,000.
“My heart almost stopped. I was so excited.
“I almost had a heart attack, my luck is not this good.”
He added his mum is always the victim of his pranks.
“We play Halloween tricks on her every year,” Ralph added.
“She thinks I’m playing a trick on her right now.”
However, his mum will certainly believe him when he whisks her away to Hawaii for a plush holiday.
He said: “That’s the only place she’s never been.
“And she deserves it, so I want to take her.”
Ralph won his North Carolina Education Lottery prize on 29 Oct.
