Looking for mini M&M tubes for pressed penny coins

[Ricky's Girl]

I have a question about the mini M&M tubes. Do you just put the quarters in them or can you put a penny between every 2 quarters?

 

[MomofKatie]

I have a question about the mini M&M tubes. Do you just put the quarters in them or can you put a penny between every 2 quarters?

We layer them (QQP, QQP, QQP, etc). We also go to the bank the week before our trip and ask for brand new, shiny pennies- the pressed pennies look really nice when they are nice and shiny. I've heard there is something you can soak them in to get them shiny- vinegar, maybe?? but we haven't tried that.

 

[Ricky's Girl]

MomofKatie Thanks for the info! Do you think one roll for each child will be enough? I guess I'll have to do a trial run to see how many quarters and pennys it will hold.

 

[MomofKatie]

MomofKatie Thanks for the info! Do you think one roll for each child will be enough? I guess I'll have to do a trial run to see how many quarters and pennys it will hold.

If I recall, I think one canister holds between 15 and 20 QQP sets. You could probably get away with one per child, unless they REALLY get into it. DD came home with about 9 or 10 pressed pennies, but she wasn't out to get as many as possible. We stored the finished pennies in the tube, but you can find pressed penny albums at the park and resort gift shops.

 

[~Brandy~]

We layer them (QQP, QQP, QQP, etc). We also go to the bank the week before our trip and ask for brand new, shiny pennies- the pressed pennies look really nice when they are nice and shiny. I've heard there is something you can soak them in to get them shiny- vinegar, maybe?? but we haven't tried that.

That is a great idea - I have torn my house apart, begged from friends and coworkers, and came up with a whopping 12 really shiny pennies, and a handful more "okay" pennies. I didn't think to ask at the bank. We are bringing 60 pennies worth of coins along with the penny guide - my kids absolutely love these machines, and it's still a lot cheaper than a stuffed animal a day from the parks.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

I can't believe there is a thread about these containers. I would like to tell you a funny story.

IN June of 2006, we went to Disney via airplane. I, of course, had planned everything down to the smallest detail. (Hense the screen name) I had the M&M holders loaded and place in my oldest DD fanny pack. As we were going through security at BWI, my daughter's bag set off the alarm and they wanted to see it. She was horrified

I remained calm and told her everything would be fine. I knew there was nothing bad in there but had no idea what could have caused the problem. The very nice security lady took the fanny pack and carefully opened it up. As soon as she did, I knew what I had done wrong. I started to laugh. It was more of a nervous laugh. Sure enough she pulls the containers out of her pack and asks, "What's this?" I stayed calm and told her the story. DH just stood there shaking his head.

She pulled them out, ran the bag again and all was fine. Apparently, on the x-ray machine it looked like a large metal rod in her pack. Yes, she was allowed to keep the money.

Although the family laughs about it now, it was not funny to my DD at the time.

2nd thought: I stupidly threw them away when we came home and this year before we went, I couldn't find them anywhere. We used zip lock bags. I also printed the list of where the machines are in the park and we made a scavenger hunt out of it. When we came home, I saw the tubes everywhere. Go figure?

Also I like the penny presses because it is cheaper than the pin trading and doesn't take as long as the autograph books.

I know this is long, but thanks for reading.

 

[Ricky's Girl]

If I recall, I think one canister holds between 15 and 20 QQP sets. You could probably get away with one per child, unless they REALLY get into it. DD came home with about 9 or 10 pressed pennies, but she wasn't out to get as many as possible. We stored the finished pennies in the tube, but you can find pressed penny albums at the park and resort gift shops.

Thanks again! I'll have to get a couple of those albums you mentioned! That will make a great filler for their goodie bags the day I give them their coin containers.

 

[quiltymom]

We layer them (QQP, QQP, QQP, etc). We also go to the bank the week before our trip and ask for brand new, shiny pennies- the pressed pennies look really nice when they are nice and shiny. I've heard there is something you can soak them in to get them shiny- vinegar, maybe?? but we haven't tried that.

I tried the salt and vinegar soak, and it literally ate through some of the pennies! DH & I were stunned.

Last trip I polished all the pennies ahead of time, only to have them tarnish again a few months later. So I'm not bothering this time - they're just too hard to clean. They will be easier to clean after they've been pressed and you have a larger area to hold. (I used a polish, not a cleaner like for cooking pans.)

Just make sure to get pre-1982 pennies to press, not new ones. The new ones only have a very thin layer of copper on them with zinc underneath, and once they're pressed they look horrible, all striated with copper and zinc. It makes it very hard to see the design.

I always keep a supply of these pennies in my purse because you never know where you'll run into a pressed-penny machine!

 

[karliebug]

We use empty prescription medicine bottles to hold our quarters in for laundry or for the machines. we always have a few around the house, or you could ask your pharmacy for a few empties.

 

[workinmomof2]

Soaked my pre 82 in coke and then used a scrubbing pad. Cleaned up most. some are just to worn to shine up.

 

[quiltymom]

We use empty prescription medicine bottles to hold our quarters in for laundry or for the machines. we always have a few around the house, or you could ask your pharmacy for a few empties.

I just think that I had a "duh" moment here.

Like, why didn't I think of that myself?