penny press for children

[alac1980]

I've been googling some info on the penny press machines. I seem to be finding a lot of conflicting information about whether to use older pennies or new, bright shiny ones.

looking for YOUR personal suggestions, what worked best for you, rather than me just reading random articles

we won't be serious collectors by no means but the kids will definitely want to see a good image.

 

[TXStormtrooper]

It is really a personal preference. We are using pre-1982 pennies, which I soaked in a vinegar/water/salt solution to clean. They don't get "shiny" like the new ones, but they quickly turn a bright copper color.

My 12 year old has quite the smashed penny collection and we looked through all of hers to help us decide. The difference was very obvious. Pre-1982 pennies are solid copper. Newer pennies are zinc with a think layer of copper on the outside.

The pennies pressed from newer pennies were mostly shiny, but very streaked with the silver color from the zinc under the copper coating. The pre-1982 ones were not as shiny, but more uniform and looked much nicer to us. The others end up looking kind of cheap (I know, I know...it's a PENNY)! Kind of like comparing costume jewelry to the real thing. Some people actually prefer the streaky, marbled look of the newer pennies, but we don't.

Be aware that both varieties were minted in 1982, so if you are looking for the solid copper, you will want to find them from before that time. We had a single jar of coins that we searched through and came up with about 25 of the solid copper ones. We cleaned them and now have them in an Altoids tin with 2 quarters for each penny so they are ready to go in the parks (no searching for coins).

 

[pennyg]

The pennies pressed from newer pennies were mostly shiny, but very streaked with the silver color from the zinc under the copper coating. The pre-1982 ones were not as shiny, but more uniform and looked much nicer to us. The others end up looking kind of cheap (I know, I know...it's a PENNY)! Kind of like comparing costume jewelry to the real thing. Some people actually prefer the streaky, marbled look of the newer pennies, but we don't.

Can you post any pictures? I'm trying to decide which to take also. I've seen online where the zinc gives a better press that goes the entire legth of the press and the copper sometimes falls shot.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I have to agree that the copper pennies look much nicer to me. We did both last trip because I thought "how much of a difference could there actually be?". Well there is a huge difference. If no-one else posts pictures I will post some when I get back home tomorrow. I agree with the previous poster that the newer pennies look and feel cheap to me. Also, the mini m&m containers work perfectly for holding coins. I used one for quarters and one for pennies.

 

[alac1980]

now the real question is...how do I go about scoping out specific pre-1980 pennies? lol. I was planning on just going to my bank here in Canada and swapping for a roll of American pennies! lol. we've done away with the penny here. and I heard the machines take only American pennies, anyway?

 

[Iowajes]

now the real question is...how do I go about scoping out specific pre-1980 pennies? lol. I was planning on just going to my bank here in Canada and swapping for a roll of American pennies! lol. we've done away with the penny here. and I heard the machines take only American pennies, anyway?

The penny will have a year on them, so you can sort through them.
Unless only new money gets mailed to Canada, a roll of pennies will likely have a variety of ages in it. Coins last for a long time in circulation.