Canadian pennies in pressed penny machines - yes or no ?

[Hemlock]

I have searched the threads for this question and have come up with conflicting responses, so I am looking for someone who has tried canadian pennies in the pressed penny machines at WDW. Do they work yes or no?

I am located in Canada, so I have no way of getting a roll of U.S. pennies before our trip (there are no banks in our small town that keep any U.S. coins). I know people will say that I can ask for change in pennies once I arrive in Florida, however since I am looking for pre-1986 coins (since they apparently make the best "impression"), I can't really ask cashier to look at the dates on their coins.

Anyway, if canadian pennies work, then I cam bring some with me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My kids are very excited to start their collections!

Thanks

 

[mom2of2]

sorry, US coins only

 

[Michael623]

sorry, US coins only

What exactly is your source on this? Canadian pennies are identical in size, I can't imagine they wouldn't take.

 

[Indio]

I would think the Canadian pennies would work as long as you have US quarters. Especially if they are identidal and size.

 

[mom2of2]

What exactly is your source on this? Canadian pennies are identical in size, I can't imagine they wouldn't take.

I'm a Cast Member

 

[skiingfast]

I can not speak for the machines at WDW, but the ones at a resort near me can press a Canadian penny just fine.

Other than the design of the die, the machine I last used by BTMRR look a lot like the one I saw the other day near me.

 

[Michael623]

I have also pressed (pre 81) Canadian pennies without issue many times just never at WDW. I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with penny squishing. Last count I was approaching 600.

 

[d_lairson]

Technically you are only supposed to use US coins. Canadian coins are of a different composition from US coins so it could effect the machine. Ideally you would want coins that are mostly copper, so that would be pre-1982 US coins or pre-1987 Canadian coins. I think the more recent Canadian pennies have some steal in them so that would be a big no-no.

I also think I read somewhere that it was illegal to disfigure Canadian pennies, while it is legal to do so to US coins.


I found this info on the PennyCollector.com website that might help (it's in their FAQ section):

"Canadian pennies prior to 1997 were approximately 98% copper and 1.75 % zinc. From 1997 to 2001, Canadian pennies were modified and were minted as copper-coated zinc wafers. A recent scanning electron microscopic examination of a 2001 Canadian penny indicated approximately 96 % zinc. Today's one-cent coin, modified in 2001, should be made of copper-plated steel (94% steel, 1.5% nickel, 4.5% copper). So, a pre-1997 Canadian penny (aside from being illegal to smash in Canada) should give you a decent result after elongating.

Note:
Do not attempt to elongate a "Loonie" (the non-round coin). It will squish far too short and you will loose part of the design."

 

[Michael623]

From 82-96 Canadian cents had the 12-sided design rather than being a round coin so I would stay away from those too. I stick to pre 82 US and Canadian cents due to the high copper content. Zinc pennies tend to age poorly.