Which pennies for the presses?

[Soupermom]

I'm getting my M and M tube ready for our June trip and am wondering...what type of pennies should we take for the Penny Stamping Machines? I've read everything from new to pre-1982--how DO you clean them? I tried vinegar and baking soda and that worked a little, but not much. So, what have you all found to be the best pennies for the machines? TIA

 

[Banzai]

I thought it was Salt and Vinagar. Beverly Lynn sent me a link forever and a half ago...I'll try to find it. Click Here For Penny Cleaning Insturctions

 

[Feelin' Goofy]

I have found that auto polishing compound works the best on pre '83 pennies and does not pit them but you have to put the elbow grease onto it so you may or may not want to do this I also feel that a clear coat after pressing is a good idea.

 

[ugadog99]

Having used both the older and newer pennies, we like the newer ones much better. We like the images they press and they don't tarnish so much later. We clean with heated lemon juice and salt.

 

[tinkerbell81284]

I've used ketchup! You might want to use rubber gloves though, fingers kind of smell for a bit! lol!

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks for the suggestion everyone! Which should I try first????? Hmmm.....Any others?

 

[michellelovesthemous]

When you go to your bank ask for brand new pennies they work the best it's only 50 cents a roll. Also a good time to get rolls of quarters to since it's anywhere from 50cecnts to $1.50 each I think.

 

[HollyJoy]

Just read some of this thread to my 6 year old who promptly ran into her room to search for suitable pennies! Oh, and I've been informed that we have to buy the M&M tubes.. What a great idea!

Holly

 

[slp87]

My DD really got into this our last trip and we decided that the newer ones worked better. The imprint seemed more sharp. The m&m container worked great! We stacked 2 quarters then a penny all the way up and refilled it each night.

 

[ugadog99]

I usually just keep our pennies and quarters in a ziploc bag in my backpack. I like the M&M idea, though. The baggie falls to the bottom and it is hard to find it.

 

[Ratpack]

The newer ones will be the easiest to get that are clean, as someone suggested, just get them from the bank. However, it depends on what you want as far as the image. I use the pre 82 ones because they are all copper, the newer ones give you silver highlights around the image in spots since the penny is not all copper. Just a personal preference.

 

[chessie]

I like the older pennies. I usually press them first and then clean them. This makes the shadow of the original penny more visible. I carry my pennies in an old film canister. I'm not real serious about my collection. I just like finding them in my change purse or in a drawer somewhere unexpectedly. The memories just come whooshing back.

chessie