Have you ever wondered if those penny press machines you see at amusement parks, zoos, museums, and landmarks are legal? You know, the ones that turn your ordinary coins into elongated souvenirs with different designs. Well, the answer is yes, they are legal, and they have been around for over a century.
According to a website called ParkPennies.com, which provides information about pressed pennies and other elongated coins, the US Treasury Department issued a letter in 1983 that clarified the legality of pressed pennies and stated that they are “not considered mutilated coins” under Title 18, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. The letter also said that “the mere act of pressing a coin into a souvenir is not illegal, nor is it defacement of currency. As long as there is no fraudulent intent, and the elongated coins are made with genuine U.S. coins, this is perfectly legal.”
Pressed pennies are also known as elongated coins, and they have been around since the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. They are collectible items that can be found in various locations such as amusement parks, zoos, museums, and landmarks. Some of them have unique and rare designs that can fetch high prices among collectors. For example, a pressed penny from Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion attraction sold for $1,500 on eBay in 2019.
Pressed pennies can also be spent as legal tender, but they are usually worth more than their face value to collectors. As one Reddit user commented, “I have a huge jar of them from all over the world. Some are very old and rare. I would never spend them. They are worth more than a penny to me.”
So next time you see a penny press machine, don’t hesitate to try it out. You might end up with a legal and collectible souvenir that will remind you of your travels and adventures. And who knows, maybe one day it will be worth more than you think.
Relevant articles:
– TIL the US Treasury confirmed that penny press souvenir machines do not violate Title 18, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code on mutilation of currency, Reddit, 16 Jan 2013
– Are Elongated Coins Legal To Make? Legal To Spend? – U.S. Coins Guide, The Fun Times Guide, 14 Sep 2023
– 10 facts about pressed pennies you probably don’t know, Simplemost, 13 Sep 2023
– Are Penny Presses Legal? – LegalProX, LegalProX, 12 Sep 2023