Pressed Penny questions??

[plutosgirl]

My cousin and I really want to do this with the kids but have a few questions. Do they actually press the penny you put in the machine or do they take the penny and replace it with a melted down penny that gets pressed? I just can't see them being able to press an image over an actual penny?!

Also, do the machines only take quarters to do it or does it take a dollar bill and give change? With two kids it would be easier to just stick in a dollar bill and get two pennies done than to carry around a bunch of pennies & quarters all day.

Any advice. TIA

 

[MOMO2DK]

Hi.
I know a real penny gets pressed- you can see this all happen. Lot's o Fun. Not sure if the machines give change for bills.

 

[poohtown]

it's the penny you put in the machine. If you put in a dirty penny out comes a dirty penny. No, they don't have change for dollars. We carried a small change purse filled with quarters and nice shiny pennies. It also helped keep track off how much we really wanted to spend on pennies. Believe me it does add up quickly.

 

[renessa]

I have read on these boards that the Mini-M&M's tubes with the snap top hold pennies and quarters very well. I'm sure if you do a search you'll find more info. Or...just buy some Mini M&M's and give it a try!!! Also- the old black film containers with the grey lid may work. Good luck!!

Oh, and did you know that you can clean you pennies before you leave home???? Try the Taco Bell Fire sauce. Just put them in and leave them for a while. But be careful with the sauce, it will burn if you get it in your eyes, mouth, etc.

 

[plutosgirl]

Everyone here always has the best info!! I'm going to start stashing my shiny pennies!

And now I'm wonder if Taco Bell Fire Sauce is safe to eat!!?? LOL

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Coca Cola also cleans them off nice and pretty Which also is a scary thought--

I use the film containers for my ready to smash pennies and quarters- -em

 

[DisneyBen]

You can also buy books at the Contemporary Resort that store your pressed pennies and quarters. We bought two on our last trip!

 

[trstno1]

You can also clean pennies with vinegar and salt. If you're up to it, you can do a science expiriment with the kids. Do a google search on cleaning pennies with vinegar.

The vinegar will will free up some copper atoms into the solution, and remove the oxide on the pennies, making them really shiny. You can them remove the pennies (make sure you rinse them in water right away). Then place some screws or nails into the vinegar solution. The copper will attach to the screws and nails turning them a brown color.

I suspect that the Taco Bell Fire Sauce may clean so well because it has some vinegar in it.

Also, make sure you use OLD pennies. I think sometime in the '80's they started using nickel with just a thin layer of copper on the pennies. The old ones are pure copper and can be easily cleaned using the vinegar and water, even after they have been pressed.

 

[RamseyTrio]

The pressed penny books that you can buy (in almost any gift store at WDW) are great - helps to keep them all organized. They are about the size of a small 4x6 photo album.

Also, some machines in each park do pressed quarters (the books contain spots for these as well). I can't remember but I think it's 75 cents to do a quarter (50 cents plus the quarter that will be pressed).

My DS6 doesn't really care about character autographs but boy oh boy does he love doing the pressed coins!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

its 80 cents for smashed nickles (3 quarters and the nickle) if they still have some and 1.00 for quarters (3 quarters and the quarter)

-em

 

[chessie]

The best pennies to press are pre 1982. After that year they began to add zinc and when you press them the zinc often causes black streaks. Many people like the shininess of a new penny but I kind of like the look of an older, more tarnished penny. I usually wait to shine mine after I have pressed it as often a faint outline of the image on the penny actually shows up on the back.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

plutosgirl ,

For a cool Web Site just click on the Link below, it will give you loads of information on the Press Penny Locations through-out WDW.
Locations for Press Pennies WDW

 

[marcdavd]

I have to agree that you should save up you 'shiny' pennies for the pressed coin machines. My DD surprised me by showing interest in these souvenirs for the first time. I only wish that I would have known in advance because I would probably have just gone to the bank and asked for a roll of new pennies.

It can get expensive since the cost is 51 cents for each pressed cent and the machines are everywhere. I tried to limit her to one per attraction or site. There are various 'limited numbered' editions that you can occasionally find. We found these to be the most challenging to complete, but she had a great time doing it and was always excited to find one of these machines.

We also did a few quarter machines, but these cost $1.25 per coin. $1 plus the quarter you need to press. Here again if so inclined you need 'new shiny' quarters to press. The trick here is to put the 'new' quarter in the correct slot. We found that the last slot (the far right) is the one that falls into the pressing machine, so if you're going to splurge, and you want to press a shiny quarter, use that slot.

The pressed coin book has only four pages. It actually just flips open to reveal the four pages. Three pages hold pennies, 12 per page and only 1 page is dedicated to quarters; it holds only six. The book costs $6, so it can be a very expensive once all is said and done. I gave each DD an allowance to spend, so this is a good way to teach children the value of money and how to decide to spend it.

Have a great time. I know you will!

 

[eeyore0062]

The pennies that you put in the machine are the same ones that are pressed. Make sure to use shiny pennies, as they do the best.

Also, if you are interested, you can get a copy of all of the Penny Press locations in all of the parks, resort hotels and Downtown Disney by stopping by any Guest Relations location.

 

[mickeysaver]

I try to use the pre-1982 pennies. About a week before we go, I try to soak the pennies for 24 hours in ketchup to help get them shiny and clean. After the trip, I clean the pressed pennies again with ketchup and then coat them with clear fingernail polish to keep them shiny. We are working to get our pennies framed right now. Maggie

 

[epcotfan]

I find the best way to clean pennies is to use white vinegar and toothpaste. You dip the penny in vinegar for about 20-30 seconds and then scrub off with toothpaste. Wash with warm water and pat dry.

 

[Schmeck]

Our last trip, I purchased small, foam rubber (?) clip on photo books at the gift shop at POR. One had Pooh on the cover, the other had Mickey. They were on sale, about $3??? Anyways, they fit tons of pennies in the photo sleeves, and they clip onto the kids' waist packs. My younger DD loves the pressed penny machines!

 

[stephwynn]

Just wondering, since I have never seen these pressed pennies, whether it matters if they are american or canadian pennies? Does the press somehow use the imprint on the penny in the design? Or does it become obliterated anyway? Since we are flying in, and staying onsite, I am not sure that we will have access to rolls of coin once we are there, so wanted to know which would be better, or if no difference? Thanks !!

 

[Schmeck]

The penny gets flattened and elongated, so the original imprint is pretty well obliterated (except for a shodowy bit on the back). So I'd go ahead and use those Canadien pennies!

Hmm, that's a great use for all of our 'neighbor pennies', as we call our collection of Canadien pennies!

Schmeck