Pressed Pennies - Use Old or New Pennies??

[JustMe+Three]

I gathered a whole mini mnm case full of pennies. For some reason I thought that I had seen a post saying to use old pennies, because the new ones contain nickel or something and the image on the pressed penny doesn't come out nearly as well.

Now I am seeing what looks like people saying that they use new pennies because the images come out better than what they do on the old ones.

Which one is it? We have never done pressed pennies before and I would like to gather some at the parks. And not only do I have a mini mnm case full of pennies, I also have one full of quarters!!! I feel so prepared.

 

[DizzDoll]

Personally, I use the shiny new ones. IMHO the impressions show up better. Also, when you insert the penny, make sure Lincoln's head faces to the right. It's been said on similar threads that you can clean up the old pennies, but to my narrow little way of thinking, if you can get the new ones, why bother shining up the old ones??

I hope you get as much enjoyment out of collecting them as I do .

 

[chartle]

I gathered a whole mini mnm case full of pennies. For some reason I thought that I had seen a post saying to use old pennies, because the new ones contain nickel or something and the image on the pressed penny doesn't come out nearly as well.

Now I am seeing what looks like people saying that they use new pennies because the images come out better than what they do on the old ones.

Which one is it? We have never done pressed pennies before and I would like to gather some at the parks. And not only do I have a mini mnm case full of pennies, I also have one full of quarters!!! I feel so prepared.

In 82 they switched from a copper alloy Penny to a copper plated zinc Penny. If you use a post 82 Penney the zinc can smear though and give a silver tint it.

I have heard you should find pre 82 pennies without a lot of scratches and polish them with copper or brass polish.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

In 82 they switched from a copper alloy Penny to a copper plated zinc Penny. If you use a post 82 Penney the zinc can smear though and give a silver tint it.

I have heard you should find pre 82 pennies without a lot of scratches and polish them with copper or brass polish.

Ok, not to be mean, but anyone with this much time on their hands really needs to get a job.

 

[marciemouse]

Personally, I use the shiny new ones. IMHO the impressions show up better. Also, when you insert the penny, make sure Lincoln's head faces to the right. It's been said on similar threads that you can clean up the old pennies, but to my narrow little way of thinking, if you can get the new ones, why bother shining up the old ones??

I hope you get as much enjoyment out of collecting them as I do .

I also like to use the new ones, but I've never been told to face Lincoln to the right. Why should I do that? Thanks!

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

We have always used the new ones, the shiniest, cleanest ones we can find and never had a problem. Good luck collecting and have fun!

 

[GoofyWaterCoaster]

I like the new ones too

 

[DizzDoll]

I also like to use the new ones, but I've never been told to face Lincoln to the right. Why should I do that? Thanks!

You get a clear impression. Oftentimes the building on the back shows through the design which ruins it, in my opinion. So I like to pass that little nugget on to other penny collectors.

 

[marciemouse]

You get a clear impression. Oftentimes the building on the back shows through the design which ruins it, in my opinion. So I like to pass that little nugget on to other penny collectors.

Thanks so much! I'll give it a try on my upcoming trip!

 

[bradk]

I've had one person disagree, but from everything I've read, only the older machines that operate by crank potentially cause the zinc core to show through. machines operated by buttons don't seem to suffer from this issue.

To be a little clearer, the change occurred sometime during 1982, so they generally advise to not touch 1982 pennies at all since you can't tell what the core is.

and I've heard ketchup cleans them up rather well

 

[DizzDoll]

Thanks so much! I'll give it a try on my upcoming trip!

My pleasure! Enjoy. It's a fun thing to do (my kids think I'm nuts, but I have fun!! ).

 

[missj1975]

Ok, not to be mean, but anyone with this much time on their hands really needs to get a job.

I have a job but yet I still manage to find time to shine pennies. Very easy to just soak them in a bowl of vinegar. The new shinny pennies will eventually tarnish too and when that happens, just soak them in vinegar.

 

[ZenMickey]

Ok, not to be mean, but anyone with this much time on their hands really needs to get a job.

Actually, this is a bit mean. I have an excellent job, but collecting pressed pennies is my hobby and I have an awesome collection to prove it. Frankly, I don't understand why you'd go into a thread that is asking for specific information only to be insulting to those in the know.

Sorry for the rant, back to the topic! As bradk pointed out, the newer machines make a "softer" press, so that shiny, newer pennies look good and cut down on the zinc spread in the design. Cleaned pre 82 pennies also look great (I do a simple soak in vinegar, then rub with baking soda/water paste.) I usually put Lincoln to the right as well so the design is pressed on his head. The building on the flip side makes for a more difficult-to-see design., To the OP- sound like you're prepared- have fun- there are a lot of machines. Don't forget the penny holder/book found at most stores.

 

[bkfree]

We also use pre 1982 pennies.If you put them in a bowl and add a couple of denture cleaning fizzy tablets, it reallly cleans them up.

Those small plastic tubes that Mini M & M's come in are perfect for carrying your coins in. We fill one with pennies and one with quarters.

 

[DizzDoll]

To those who like to clean the pennies: that would be something to do outside while you're getting your pre-Florida tan!! Bring out your radio, set out your lounger and table, get a big cold glass of iced tea and you're good to go! And for those of you who haven't thought of this idea, you can thank me later.

 

[troynkasey]

We did a little of both our past trip. I was disappointed that my daughter put a "dirty" penny in and it didn't show as good. I haven't tried to clean it though. With that being said, I would shoot for the shinny pennies. We didn't have a problem regarding the year...just if they were clean or not.

 

[BlakeNJ]

I gathered a whole mini mnm case full of pennies. For some reason I thought that I had seen a post saying to use old pennies, because the new ones contain nickel or something and the image on the pressed penny doesn't come out nearly as well.

Now I am seeing what looks like people saying that they use new pennies because the images come out better than what they do on the old ones.

Which one is it? We have never done pressed pennies before and I would like to gather some at the parks. And not only do I have a mini mnm case full of pennies, I also have one full of quarters!!! I feel so prepared.

Can I suggest filling your m&ms case like this:

quarter, quarter, penny, quarter, quarter, penny, quarter, quarter, penny--you get the idea. That way, you won't have to dig around for your quarters. I think I fit 10 sets (enough for 10 pennies) in a small case. More in a larger. If you don't have a book to put them in, you can find them at most gift shops--just make sure when you pick it up it is a book for pennies and not pressed quarters! I nearly made this mistake.

Have fun!
Blakely

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I have a job but yet I still manage to find time to shine pennies. Very easy to just soak them in a bowl of vinegar. The new shinny pennies will eventually tarnish too and when that happens, just soak them in vinegar.

sorry, I just had visions of someone with a cloth and silver polish, cleaning each little penny by hand... and yes it's a free country but that would be a bit anal.

I do love the penny press too and try to use the new ones.

 

[perkinsrose]

Ok, not to be mean, but anyone with this much time on their hands really needs to get a job.

Never quite accepted the "not to be mean" "not to be rude" or (my favorite from childhood/80s) "not to be bogue" that is always followed by a "but" or the very thing that you're trying "not to be".

 

[duckyislost]

I tried cleaned pre-1982 pennies and shiny new ones on our last trip. I found most of the old ones came out dull or gritty/scuffed looking. Probably because it is nearly impossible to find pennies in circulation that are that old and not scratched up. So I stick to the shiny new ones now, they give a smoother press and I don't mind the silver shadows. I've been separating them out of my change for months now and can't wait to bring them to the world to press in Sept!

By the way, in order to accumlate them I never use spare change to pay for anything, I always break a bill so I'll get change back.