Elongated Coins - Over 100 years and still going strong!
I've been 'collecting' elongated coins (otherwise commonly known as 'stretched pennies' or 'squished pennies') since I was old enough to turn the handle on the old manual machines at our city zoo. Over the years, my interest has come and gone -- I'd go years without adding a single coin, then pick up a dozen while on vacation with the family.
But did you know that there is a whole world of elongated coin collectors out there? And that you can 'squish' more than just pennies? Or the best type of penny to use? Well then... read on!
A Little History Please!
(or: Just How Long Have People Been Doing This?)
It has been generally accepted that elongated tokens were first made during the 1892-1893 World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago, Illinois. There were four designs created for that event. There have been rumors of elongates being produced before this, but so far those are just rumors.The creating of elongates was rather popular for the first 20+ years, with a large number created between 1893 and 1916. For reasons unknown, there was a slack period between 1916 and 1932. After 1932, popularity was regained and the number and variety of coins rolled has steadily increased. Today they are being produced at such a rapid rate that it is nearly impossible for a collector to keep up with them all. Not that mere facts would stop a truly fanatical collector from trying. :)
While some still try to collect every elongate created, most collectors tend to focus on coins in a more narrow field of interest. A railroad buff may collect coins related to trains, a baseball fan would collect coins from various ball fields, teams, and such. I met one collector who collected zoo-related coins. There are as many different reasons to collect as there are collectors!
Creating elongates - art and science come together.
(or: Pressure, Motion, and The Skills Of A Craftsman)
So just how are elongates created? The technique is pretty simple, but the variations of implementation (the different types of machines) is part of what makes collecting fun.
Simply put, an elongated coin is made by forcing a coin, token, medal or metal blank between two steel rollers. And not just any two rollers -- unless all you want is a long, flat coin. To get a collectible elongate, an engraving is done on one or both of the rollers. Then, as the coin passes through the rollers, it is squeezed and stretched (elongated) from it's original round shape to that of an oval. The engraved design is impressed into the metal as it is pressed.
Serious collectors like to use pennies minted prior to 1982. This is because after 1982 the U.S. Mint began to use a percentage of 99.2% zinc with a 0.8% copper - coating. The pre-1982 pennies are 95% copper, 5% zinc.
It is difficult to tell the difference between the two when simply looking at the penny. However, it becomes more obvious once the penny is elongated. The pressure of the elongation process will reveal the zinc below the copper - something that many collectors find detracting from the design of the die itself. Zinc also doesn't polish very well, and will tarnish to a dark gray.
Simply put, an elongated coin is made by forcing a coin, token, medal or metal blank between two steel rollers. And not just any two rollers -- unless all you want is a long, flat coin. To get a collectible elongate, an engraving is done on one or both of the rollers. Then, as the coin passes through the rollers, it is squeezed and stretched (elongated) from it's original round shape to that of an oval. The engraved design is impressed into the metal as it is pressed.
Serious collectors like to use pennies minted prior to 1982. This is because after 1982 the U.S. Mint began to use a percentage of 99.2% zinc with a 0.8% copper - coating. The pre-1982 pennies are 95% copper, 5% zinc.
It is difficult to tell the difference between the two when simply looking at the penny. However, it becomes more obvious once the penny is elongated. The pressure of the elongation process will reveal the zinc below the copper - something that many collectors find detracting from the design of the die itself. Zinc also doesn't polish very well, and will tarnish to a dark gray.
Great Elongate Sites I've Come Across
(or: Where Can I Learn More?)
The Internet has really expanded the collection and documenting of elongates - opening lines of communication that before were simply not possible. The ease with which a collector can image their collection and put it online for other collectors to see and comment on has really expanded and connected the elongate community.
Here are a few of the elongate sites that I've happened upon:
Here are a few of the elongate sites that I've happened upon:
- PennyCollector.com
- This is the first elongate site I ever came across, and the one I return to most frequently. - The original elongated souvenir penny book with the coin on the cover.Penny Machine locations around the world, Collecting Tips, EC History, Online Store, and more!
- PressedPenny.com
- The world's largest elongated coin store! Elongated coins and Pressed Pennies on copper, brass, nickels dimes and quarters from around the globe. Elongated coins, elongated pennies and more!
- tecnews.org
- If you love elongates, then TEC is the club for you! We gather for our annual meeting at the American Numismatic Association's World of Money convention.
- Squished Penny Museum
- The Squished Penny Museum is officially closed. After 11 years of spreading the joy of squishin' to anyone who would listen, we're closing shop. (There is still a link to the site - it's just not being updated anymore)
What started out as a little collection on our living room mantle grew to include not just thousands of squished pennies, but thousands of devoted visitors as well. We hope that someone out there-perhaps with just a little collection themselves-will continue the tradition. We were not the first to open a museum devoted to elongateds, and we sure hope we won't be the last. - Coin Club - Elongated Coins
- Your source for coins and numismatics. Get current coin collecting information on coins, prices, auctions, coin clubs, shows, numismatics and more. Also has a great list of other elongate sites.
- RKS Collectibles on eBay.com
- RKS Collectibles is all about helping local collectors 'thin out' their collections by selling duplicate pieces on eBay.com. Stop by our listings and see what we have today!
Interested In Collecting Elongated Coins?
(or: How To Just Give In To Your Curiosity And Enjoy It!)
Collecting elongates can be a lot of fun. It's generally pretty cheap (usually 51 cents total to 'stretch a penny'), usually quite easy (most of the machines I find are electrically operated), and won't fill up that spare bedroom like some other collections might (my daughter's collection of stuffed teddy bears, for example!).
A few tips for the new collector are in order:
A few tips for the new collector are in order:
- Keep Some Change On Hand! These elongating machines are coin operated, so you're going to need quarters to feed them and coins to stretch. For the casual collector, this may mean nothing more than digging in your pocket or purse to see what you have available. :) For more serious collectors, it can mean locating/purchasing specific coins to be stretched (all copper pennies, all silver dimes, etc) and always keeping them at hand. Decide your level of interest and act accordingly.
- To Clean Or Not To Clean, That Is The Question! Some collectors swear that to clean a coin is the highest form of vandalism, ruining the sheen of life experiences from the face of the coin. Others prefer their coins to be bright and shiny, hoping for the best image possible. There is not right or wrong here, so enjoy as you see fit!
- How To Store/Transport Your Change. I've grown attached to a very simple method of storing and carrying my change -- old prescription bottles. I've found that some sizes of those orange/yellow pharmacy prescription bottles are the perfect size to hold a quarter! I use the 'safety cap', the one you have to push and twist to remove, to ensure that the tops don't pop off in my pocket or in my vehicle. Also good for storing the stretched coins on the way back home.
- Are Those Special Collector Books Really Needed? I use the books if I'm going to try and accumulate a complete collection from a single location. For example, I have a complete set from the Memphis Zoo, and I keep it in a Memphis Zoo Collector's Book. The extra coin on the cover is a nice bonus. I also have books for other locations where I was able to acquire a complete set of coins.
Generic books, available from various online retailers, are also nice for storing themed collections -- horses, cars, airplanes, trains, etc. The books make it very convenient to keep all your coins in one place, and make it very easy to show them to friends or other collectors. - Finding Interesting Elongates On The Cheap! Not sure you would really enjoy collecting elongates, but want to give it a shot anyway? Try looking thru all the selections on eBay (search for 'elongat*') and maybe pick up a coin or two just to see! It's easy!
My Elongates on eBay
(or: Can You Spare A Few Sawbucks For A Collectible Coin?)
My Memphis Zoo elongates have been shipped all over the country, and even a few into Canada! All are rolled on pre-82 all-copper pennies and are discretely shipped USPS First Class. Want the whole Zoo set? All you have to do is ask! :)
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Other Elongates on eBay
I'm not the only person with elongates on eBay - check out these other listing samples...
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byBulk Elongate Lots Available on eBay
Sometimes you just gotta have more than one...
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(or: Think Of It As Leaving Your Mark!)
While I'm not the avid collector I used to be, I do still enjoy pressing a few pennies during our travels. And yes, I do travel with a couple of old pill bottles filled with quarters and pre-82 pennies.... just in case!
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CollectorsCottage
What a fascinating lens - great information! My daughter has a bunch, and every once in a while she adds to her collection. I'm happy to welcome you to the Collector Clubs group! Posted January 15, 2008 |
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GypsyPirate
I have a few of these myself - good to know I'm not alone in thinking they are cool! Posted December 07, 2007 |
