Pressed Pennies - Which pennies do you use?

[PrincessDreams2]

I have read some info here on the pressed pennies. I know that it is recommended to use ones made before 1982. I have read up on ways to clean them before hand, but it seems like quite a process. Does anyone use shiny, brand new pennies? Do they turn out just as nice? Does anyone know of easy and effective ways to clean them??? Thanks!

 

[disneynewbeemom]

bumping

 

[blondinkaya]

Honestly, we used what we had and didn't pay attention to the year. I think they all turned out neat. My kids had a blast hunting down the machines, and that's what matters to me. If you collect them as a ... well, a collector, I've heard that the older ones are better because the composition had changed and they don't have nearly as much copper as they used to.

 

[LizAgna]

I used the ones made before 1982 and cleaned them with ketchup and they turned out very pretty. Cleaning them with ketchup really isn't hard. I just got a plate or a bowl and put the pennies in it and then covered them with the ketchup and let them set for about a half hour and then washed them. I have also cut the tops off of fast food ketchup pkg that I had in my desk at work and put a few pennies in to soak overnight.

In my opinion the ones with more copper turn out much prettier than the others. They are all copper colored the newer ones have dark streaks in them. We aren't serious collectors we just like the way the older ones look.

 

[Millie12591]

My DH said he had heard to use Taco %ell hot sauce. I blanked out part of the name because the mods usually do. I just put one of the pennies in a bowl just this evening with hot sauce, so we'll see! Also the ketchup thing sounds like a good idea.
I myself haven't used any older pennies for the penny press as of yet, just the new shiny one's because it made my baby happy to collect them before we went. She was so happy to be able to ask me for a shiny new penny and fifty cents when she would see a penny press.
No matter what you do, you'll have fun with it, so don't worry about it to much, just go and have fun! Oh! I wanted to share a tip on how to carry them, I bought a M&M tube (the kind with the tiny M&M's in them, come in all kinds of colors) and put our pennies in that, but another diser said to put in 51 cents stacked all through out the tube. In other words two quarters and a penny-repeat until you fill the tube, I'm using this method next time!

 

[MadHatter Pennies]

After using catchup, hot sauce, or salt&vinegar to clean them, use baking soda to shine them.
Make a paste of water and baking soda. Smear it on your penny and let dry. Us a toothbrush or a paper towl oreven just your fingers to polish them.
Try Brasso for the best shine.
The reason not to use post 1982 pennys is that they aare mostly zinc which tarnishes to a dull black. The penny holder books help prevent this by keeping air out, but the best is to coat the pennies with Varathane Diamond Wood Finish (clear) according to
ww.pennycollector.com/tips_storage.html
You can also buy books from them.

 

[summerlandjeff]

When we leave, I get a fifty cents roll of pennies from the bank and they are all new year pennies, bright and shiny, for my daughter. The ones she pressed five years ago (and kept in a case) are still shiny.

 

[BellesFavoriteBook]

what if you don't have very many pre-1982 pennies? I've got a ton of pennies and quarters put aside already, but some of the pennies aren't that old (maybe 10-15 years old). Would cleaning them to make them shinier before May probably help?

And is it better to put the penny in with the abe lincoln profile facing in or out?

 

[jcoffman]

Well the chemist in me just loves this stuff. You can also clean them with lemon juice and a little bit of salt. The weak Hydrochloric acid acid created from the reaction of citric acid and salt will clean the outside of the penny beautifully. Fininshing it off with a nice baking soda scrub wont hurt either!

Yes the older pennies are 100% Copper and the newer pennies are mostly zinc, which is a much cheaper metal. The zinc when exposed to acid will react and form Hydrogen gas (not so much that its dangerous or anything) but it will pit the zinc and make it not so nice looking.

In any event have a good time, and say yeah to SCIENCE!!!

Love it

Jenn

 

[teddygurlkeekee]

I'm going to have to try this. I already set aside the shiniest pennies I could find, but they were all from 2007+....

Does anyone know where I can find the M&M tubes now a days? I can't seem to find them anywhere!!

 

[BellesFavoriteBook]

CVS Pharmacy sells Mega Tube size. I've also seen M&M minis tubes @ Shopko.

http://www.mms.com/us/about/wheretobuy/

Select the tube, put your zip code in and it lists locations that SHOULD carry them. HTH

 

[teddygurlkeekee]

CVS Pharmacy sells Mega Tube size. I've also seen M&M minis tubes @ Shopko.

http://www.mms.com/us/about/wheretobuy/

Select the tube, put your zip code in and it lists locations that SHOULD carry them. HTH

Thanks so much!!

 

[kstategrad]

Anyone know what the 2009 pressed pennies souvenir keepsake book looks like this year? I was looking at some on eBay, but I wasn't sure which book was the newest edition. Anyone got a pic?

 

[MasterChief]

What is the deal with pressed pennies? Is it something we should be doing?

 

[BellesFavoriteBook]

What is the deal with pressed pennies? Is it something we should be doing?

Cheap souvenir (51 cents). I've done this as a souvenir at the local Zoo, the Golden Spike Tower in North Platte, Mount St. Helens Volcano, and a few other places.

 

[MusicMouse]

Anyone know what the 2009 pressed pennies souvenir keepsake book looks like this year? I was looking at some on eBay, but I wasn't sure which book was the newest edition. Anyone got a pic?

Try checking The Laughing Place Store website. I know they are selling albums for pressed pennies.

 

[DLW8]

My kids got into the pressed pennies last year and it was great. we loved finding the machines that were tucked away...and contineu to find them at other places we visit (Sea World, Boston Aquarium and got a great Red Sox penny at a rest stop on the Mass Pike!).

I did clean the pennes after reading a lot of posts and it was not easy. And, although I spent a lot of time doing it (all different methods), they didn't come out that great, and honestly, you could see the design better on the new shiny pennies.

So, for this trip, I will be getting a roll of new pennies to put in my M&M tubes with my quarters. Get 2 tubes...one for the money (2 quarter and 1 penny stacked) and the other is for the pressed pennies. That way I don't have to carry the books with me (they will stay at home this trip), and you can keep track of them.

There is a great website that lists all the places and different designs for WDW...

http://www.presscoins.com/

They even have a tracking log so you can mark off which ones you have.

Personally, my kids liked the ones where you can crank it yourself...the autmatic ones were neat, but it was fun watching them wind that handle around...

 

[ShellChelle]

So, for this trip, I will be getting a roll of new pennies to put in my M&M tubes with my quarters. Get 2 tubes...one for the money (2 quarter and 1 penny stacked) and the other is for the pressed pennies. That way I don't have to carry the books with me (they will stay at home this trip), and you can keep track of them.

Oh, so once you press the pennies, they will still fit inside the M&M tubes? If so, I may have to go buy another tube of M&Ms!

 

[Robin's Nest]

If you're a serious collecter, you can go to Guest Services and they have a list that shows every penny press in every park. So if you're looking for a certain character (i.e. Lilo & Stitch), it will tell you exactly where to find the penny press with their template. FYI, they also have quarter presses in some places. Obviously, these are more expensive, but they come out very nice looking. Maybe good for one "special" press. We bought collector books while there in February and there is a whole section for pressed quarters in the book.

 

[lauralong81]

Awesome! My son loves these (we've seen at other theme parks) so I'm very excited!