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A Pressed Penny for Your Thoughts

As countless collectors and enthusiasts know, a pressed penny is created by placing a regular penny between two strong steel rollers. As the penny is rolled, the intense pressure not only imprints an engraving onto the coin, but it also changes its shape from round to oval. Elongated coins, as they are sometimes called, first appeared at the 1892-1893 World’s Columbian Expo in Chicago. Their popularity remained minimal for years, but a huge resurgence occurred in 1935. Demand has remained high ever since, and the machines can now be found all over the world.

While any penny can be elongated, most collectors prefer those minted before 1982. This is when the US government changed the composition of the penny from predominately copper to zinc with a thin copper coating. It is easy to identify a pressed penny minted after 1982, as the silver zinc becomes visible during the pressing process. Many collectors take this consideration a step further and like to use a coin with a mint date that has a personal significance in relation to its pressed engraving. For instance, a collector engraving a penny at Wrigley Field may choose to use a penny minted the year he saw his first Cubs game.

With their rich history and widening popularity, it’s never been a better time to be a collector. No tourist attraction is complete without a pressing machine, and the internet provides a great forum for enthusiasts to compare machine locations and trade technique tips. The best online collection of pressed penny information can be found at The Penny Machine Company. It is perfect for everyone from the veteran collector to the casual newcomer and is a must-visit for anyone interested in this unique and rewarding hobby.