Best Pennies for Pressed Pennies??? About This Page:

[Holland]

I think we will definitely start a pressed penny collection for the kids (yes, for the kids, not for me!) on our next trip.

I thought I remember reading in a previous post that there are pennies that are better than others. I would think the newest and shiniest would be the best but I vaguely remember someone commenting on a pre-19xx penny.

Are there better ones to use?

Thanks!

[bradk]

pre-1982 pennies as they're made entirely of copper. post 1982 are made of zinc with a copper plating and are prone to streaking when being pressed (as per pressedpennies.com)

[lukeandbrookesmom]

Wow! I never heard that before.....thanks!

[Disneybound!]

Thanks for that tip too! For the last few months we have been collecting new pennies so they would press shiny, but now I'll have to double check! Ruth

[SWOOPERDO]

I had no idea. Cool to know. I too was collecting new ones.

[jimmymac]

I too thought newer ones were best. Thanks for the insight

[bradk]

that's PRE-1982 by the way (1981 and earlier). I just did a little bit more checking on it and the issue with 1982 is that they minted both types of coins so you won't know which ones you have.

[snoozin]

Remember, shiny pennies turn pretty quickly, too, so it's better to go for the older pennies.

[jpod523]

my dad got me a few rolls of uncirculated 1969 pennies for my last trip. they're very shiny and turn out really great.

if you have some pre- 1981's that need cleaned, clean them with ketchup and an old tooth brush (i leave them "soak" in the ketchup for 5 minutes, then scrub a bit with the toothbrush) then just wash off with water. if they still need cleaning, or you don't like ketchup, take a pencil eraser to the pennies.

time consuming, yes, but they turn out great. i love pressed pennies.

[HollyH]

Lemon juice and salt work, too.

[dwelke]

Originally Posted by bradk

that's PRE-1982 by the way (1981 and earlier). I just did a little bit more checking on it and the issue with 1982 is that they minted both types of coins so you won't know which ones you have.

Brad - As usual you have great information. I'll have to go through all the pennies my husband has been saveing in jars to find the old ones.

Also thanks to everyone for all the cleaning tips.

[ilovedisney0_0]

allearsnet has a great section on exactly the way to put the pennies in the machine for optimum pressed penny images, as well as a listing of which characters are available where.

Pressed Pennies and Quarters

[Jookiba]

Thanks for this info-on a whim (while waiting for our table at WCC) I got a pressed penny and a pressed quarter. It was ironic that the quarter had Alice in Wonderland on it with "HCOE" over it. The penny has a raccoon.

I definitely want to start collecting these as well!!

[eleventhletter]

I cleaned mine with Brasso - I didn't know about the ketchup but wasn't getting anywhere with the lemon/salt. Then I tried my silver jewelry cleaner and got them all nice and pretty came back later to put them away after they dried and they were now rainbow colored, lol. So I spent one evening with Brasso and a cloth and they do look new and 3 days later still haven't turned back.

[Tink1769]

And place the pennies in the pressing machine with the head facing to the right. This gets a better press .