Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with penny

How to get a crapload of pennies.

alexei — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:24:59 -0800

I need a large number of pennies shipped to me. Does anyone provide this service? I need to get a large number of American pennies (tens of thousands), ideally clean ones, to Australia for a project (penny-pressing machine). I would like to get them shipped to Australia, either directly or through some sort of shipping consolidator. I've been having trouble finding a good source. I have tried visiting banks with some success, but they don't ship, and their pennies are usually dirty. I'm currently in San Francisco. I can continue picking up boxes locally, packing them up and shipping them, but I'd rather automate it if possible, especially since I might need more later.

Alternately, is there somewhere to buy copper (or other suitable metal) disks in Australia for a reasonable price? (yes, I'm aware that pennies are not copper). The only quotes I've had so far are in the 30 cent range, which seems very high.

Penny press in Marfa, TX?

spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:48:43 -0800

Where can I press a penny in Marfa, Texas? My wife and I have been putting together a pretty kick ass pressed penny collection ever since our honeymoon. I'm talking about these.

My Google-fu has failed me, and it seems that several of the pressed penny websites we saw a few years ago are now offline. Has anyone personally seen a penny press in Marfa, TX, and do you remember where it was?

Penny for your Bat-Thoughts?

Spyder's Game — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:56:29 -0800

Why does Batman keep a giant penny and a huge replica of a Tyrannosaurus Rex in the Bat Cave? Very often, when you see depictions of Batman's hideaway, it includes a giant penny (sculpture?) and a (possibly life size?) T Rex just sitting around. Why is this? I know he's a detective. I know he's got some astounding computer/information gathering equipment that helps his detective work but... what's with the penny? And the dinosaur?

Picking Up that Penny

chase — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:33:50 -0800

Are there any statistics for how much money (e.g. loose coin on the ground, forgotten change in a vending machine) one finds over a period of time? I always stop to pick up a lost coin on the ground, even the pennys. Has anyone ever kept track of how much money s/he found?

A change for the better...

Blazecock Pileon — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:18:55 -0800

Where can I trade spare change for bills in Seattle, without fees? There are Coinstar machines in some groceries nearby, but they charge nearly 10% for their exchange, which is an utter scam. Back in Philadelphia, Commerce Bank has "Penny Arcade" machines that will collect change and exchange for bills without charging a fee. Are there any such similar services in Seattle?

1963 was a good year for pennies

qvtqht — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:27:18 -0800

Why do 1960s pennies look different? I have noticed that that a lot of 1960s U.S. pennies (one-cent coins) look significantly different from other years.

For example, this 1963 penny on my desk has a shinier surface and a slightly more orange tint than all of the others. It also seems rounded away from the edge on the "heads" side, and a more rounded profile of Lincoln that also protrudes further.

All I could find online was that pennies were bronze until 1962, and then brass from 1962-1982. However, the 1970s and early 1980s pennies I have look nothing like this. I also remember seeing a 1968 penny that did look this way.

Was there something special about the minting process in the 1960s?

If I swallowed a penny as a child, is it possible that it's still somewhere inside me?

orangeshoe — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:01:22 -0800

I swallowed a penny as a three-year-old but never told anyone about it. Did it come back out? Or is it hiding somewhere in my innards?

My roommate has no common garbage disposal cents

thetenthstory — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 10:30:42 -0800

I have a penny stuck in my garbage disposal. My problem is that it is stuck underneath one of the two spinning blades in the disposal. I have looked for the online videos and found nothing that can help me fix this since its wedged in there so well. I've tried "banging" it out with a broomstick. If I could fit two hands in my sink I could possibly “floss” it out. My next step is to call a plumber/maintenance staff but I really do not want to. Any suggestions of how to fix this problem?

Going Penny-Crazy, HELP !

eebs — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 09:35:23 -0800

I have a lot of pennies. They accumulated over the past 12 years. I need a permanent solution to this problem other than a big jar (that you have to move eventually and gets heavier by day). What do you do with your pennies?