- INFORMATION
Elongating penny machines can be found througout the United States (and other countries) and usually depict designs from a specific location or event. You insert a few quarters and a penny, then two steel wheels come together with more than 1,500 pounds of pressure to flatten the penny and imprint it with the design. Most machines are found at various types of attractions, providing an inexpensive and unique souvenir. Some of the older rare elongateds command high prices, but most still remain one of the least expensive and most unique collectibles available.
The first U.S. elongateds were rolled in 1893 at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Over the next few decades, entrepreneurs appeared with their dies and rolling machines at many fairs and expositions. In the 1950's, the U.S. Treasury provided assurances that elongated U.S. coins are indeed legal. In the 1980's, a further expansion of the hobby occurred when customer operated electric and manual rolling machines began appearing at amusement parks, museums, zoos, and other attractions. Today these machines are found at thousands of locations worldwide - with more than a dozen in the Shenandoah Valley (in Virginia).
A great organization that promotes and educates people about elongated coins is the non-profit organization "The Elongated Collector" [TEC]. Their website is: www.tecnews.org Check it out and if you aren't already a member, please consider joining!
LINKS
Here are links to some of our favorite sites and the websites of the locations where Cindy's Cents machines are located.
The Elongated Collector (TEC), a great non-profit organization that promotes and educates people about elongated coins. They have a great quarterly newsletter, and you receive free coins with each issue. If you join, please list us (TEC #3467) as who referred you to TEC. Their website is: www.tecnews.org
The Penny Collector at www.pennycollector.com has tons of information including listings of machines throughout the country and the world, coins for sale, a trading tool, etc.
Yahoo elongated collectors discussion group - This is a great place to keep in touch with other elongated collectors, list trades, ask questions, etc. Please visit them at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/elongatedcoin/
Cindy's Cents has Elongated Penny Machines at the Following Locations in Virginia:
Natural Bridge and Natural Bridge Caverns I-81 Virginia Exits 180 from North Exit #175
Flying J Travel Plaza I-81 Exit #323
Dinosaur Land
Shenandoah Caverns, The Yellow Barn, and America on Parade I-81 VA Exit #269
Front Royal Visitor's Center 414 East Main Street, Front Royal, VA 22630
Grand Caverns I-81 Virginia Exit #240
Virginia Museum of Travel - Roanoke, VA
Taubman Museum of Art - Roanoke, VA
Cindy's Cents has Elongated Penny Machines at the following Locations in West Virginia:
Tamarack - The Best of West Virginia (two machines) Beckley, WV
WV State Museum Culture Center - Charleston, WV
http://www.wvculture.org/museum/State-Museum-Index.html
Shepherdstown Visitors Center - Shepherdstown, WV
www.shepherdstownvisitorscenter.com
Cacapon State Park, Berkeley Springs, WV
Black Water Falls State Park, Davis, WV
Big John's Pizza, Davis, WV
Hodge Podge Gift Store - (two machines) 144 High Street, Harpers Ferry, WV
OTHER LINKS:
SINOQUIPE Boy Scout Camp - also has one of the Cindy’s Cents machines
http://www.mason-dixon-bsa.org/camping-hiking/camp-sinoquipe/20520
Jason made a special fundraising elongated - see it at www.stampoutcancernow.com
Boomer has all the info about Disneyland coins at www.parkpennies.com
Sophia is a Dutch collector. Her site is www.verzamelfreakz.nl
Andy is a Scottish collector. His website is www.scottishpennies.com