Squished Pennies

[Paul G]

When we were at the world 2 years ago in 2001 we collected a few squished pennies. On our return last week we thought it would be fun to collect as many as we could find.

We were so disappointed to see that they have raised the price of these pennies to 50 cents from 25 cents. How can they justify doubling the price? (I guess I am remembering the price from way back in 70's and 80's not 2001)

Instead of buying the 100-200 we planned on buying ($25-$50 income for Disney) we only bought 6 ($3 income for Disney). We were very disappointed that they cost that much.

 

[ShaneV]

We found even with the raised prices they were FAR cheaper than other items in the shop. Our DS(3) loved them.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Actually, I didn't find the pressed penny prices as bad as the pressed quarter prices. I really liked some of the designs but I didn't want to spend $1.25 ($1 to press and $0.25 for the quarter). Of course that might have something to do with the Canadian-US exchange rate

 

[sandygirl]

I just got back from Hersheypark, PA. They also are charging 50 cents for pressing a penny. I thought it was a bit much, but also thought it was one of the cheapest souveniers around. We pressed one penny. I thought we might collect some from WDW in Dec. I think they sell the books to store them in.

 

[InstImpres]

Paul -

Are you sure they were a quarter? We were there Dec 2000/Jan 2001 and than again in Feb 2003. We "packed coins" for my DD based on .51.

maybe I'm remembering wrong but I don't remember them being cheaper.

BTW, I agree on the pressed quarters. My DD get 1 per day and that's it.

Sandy

 

[Harambe]

We also do the pressed pennies, and they have been .51 for quite a while.

We picked up a book for each kid to put them in. The books are nice and the whole process is still so much cheaper than other souveniers.

DD wants to start pin trading next trip. I'm trying to talk her into completing the press penny collection instead!

 

[CuteKatCar]

We were there May '01, and they were .51 each. We actually don't think that price is so bad. My girls save their own quarters - they each have a roll saved. They have the book and the other night they were cleaning their pennies with vinegar.

Do I have to tell you that they are excited about getting new ones?

Anna

 

[CEDmom]

Our 3 1/2 yo DD loves the pressed pennies. We got the book in the WL Merchantile and she really enjoys looking at them. It was a great way to entice her through the world showcase in Epcot. She got a penny in each country DH and I stopped at. We also got to check out a lot of the resorts by promising her a penny in each one.

 

[PiperG]

I love this thread (although I don't love the price increase).

I remember thinking they were a rip off when we first started collecting them, but the hunt for each machine was so much fun that it was not long before I was addicted! Despite the higher price, I can't wait to go back and start collecting again.

 

[epcotfan]

The last time I saw that pressed pennies were a quarter was back in the early 1980s. I pressed about 200 pennies in 2001 and they were all 51 cents. Where did you press pennies for 25 cents?

If you want to complain you should try writing/emailing Disney directly. "The Suits" are not regular board posters.

 

[ktglads]

The poster from Canada made a weird question pop into my head. Has anyone tried Canadian coins in these machines? I was just wondering since around Buffalo, you are just as likely to have quite a bit of Canadian coins mixed in with the rest of your money. Not that I would do this, but I was wondering if the machines could tell the difference in the coins.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Originally posted by ktglads
The poster from Canada made a weird question pop into my head. Has anyone tried Canadian coins in these machines? I was just wondering since around Buffalo, you are just as likely to have quite a bit of Canadian coins mixed in with the rest of your money. Not that I would do this, but I was wondering if the machines could tell the difference in the coins.

I thought of that myself when I was there but there are signs on quite a few of the machines that say US coins only. I'm thinking the US and Canadian quarters are probably similar enough ... but I didn't want to be the one to jam the machine and have to report it to a CM

 

[Shannon G]

I've been 4 times since 1999, and the pressed pennies were .51 every time - I don't think there has been a price increase recently.

 

[Paul G]

I have been going to WDW since 1971 so I guess I am remembering really old prices.

I must have been wrong about the 25 cents in 2001.

At any rate I think 50 cents is too much and I won't bother collecting them at that price.

 

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by bunnyfoo
I thought of that myself when I was there but there are signs on quite a few of the machines that say US coins only. I'm thinking the US and Canadian quarters are probably similar enough ... but I didn't want to be the one to jam the machine and have to report it to a CM

Actually it is illegal to elongate Canadian pennies.

From http://www.pressedpenny.com/faq.html

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Is it illegal to press Canadian pennies?
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It's against Canadian laws to press a penny in Canada, since it is defacing the image of a queen. There are no laws against it in the U.S.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Thanks Tracy! I had no idea about the pennies ... Actually, I was thinking more about using the Canadian quarters in the penny machines ... but I don't want to have to explain to the CM how the machine broke

 

[epcotfan]

Hey no problem. I actually broke a machine once with a US penny. I put it into the machine near the exit of Test Track and it just ground to a halt. I was so embarassed. LOL. So basically machines can break down anytime. On my last trip I saw quite a few that were "out of order" I do recall though that once I pressed a Canadian penny without realizing it! It turned out fine. Although I wouldn't try it again. I wouldn't want customs to seize my defaced images of the queen

 

[kdonnel]

Originally posted by ktglads
The poster from Canada made a weird question pop into my head. Has anyone tried Canadian coins in these machines? I was just wondering since around Buffalo, you are just as likely to have quite a bit of Canadian coins mixed in with the rest of your money. Not that I would do this, but I was wondering if the machines could tell the difference in the coins.

I found out by accident that Australian dimes work in US gumball machines. I would think they would work in the pressed penny and quarter machines. They are almost exactly the same size as a US quarter but a different weight. (They don't work in drink machines.)

At the current exchange rate that would put the cost of the penny at about 14 cents and the squished quarter at 33 cents if you used the Australian dime for all 5 coins.

I thought it was funny that in Australia for their squished penny machines they provided a US penny for you. They don't have a penny anymore. You put in the money and it supplied the penny and squished it.