Where was the first engraved penny pressed?

In 1893 at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois the first pennies were rolled through hand cranked mill type machines with reverse engraved dies.  The pressed pennies were immediately popular through 1916. Starting in 1917 pressed pennies decreased in popularity until after 1932 when the pressed pennies regained popularity. The popularity of pressed pennies has only increased through the decades. Historically elongated coins (pressed pennies) are placed into three categories: Colloquially from 1893 to 1965, Modern Elongateds from 1966 to 1985, and Contemporary Elongateds from 1986 to present day.

1893 World Expo Penny

Pressed Pennies Now

Today guests supply their own penny and for the price of two quarters they get an enduring memory of their experience at your site.  Avid penny collectors share their love for pressed pennies on websites and social media like Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Collectors have even turned their pressed pennies into key chains, charm bracelets and earrings. For the price of two quarters and a penny collectors can create a souvenir that will last them a lifetime.

More phrases for pressed pennies:

Other terms for pressed pennies are squished pennies, flattened pennies, rolled out pennies and elongated pennies or coins.