I started off on Saturday with 5 requests for each location: the National Zoological Park and ESPN Zone. When I got to the zoo, it was dark and rainy and I couldn’t find 3 of the 7 machines. The National Zoo has a gradual slope that makes waking back and forth really tiring, so I decided to come back again in search of the missing machines.
When I came back on Sunday, I still couldn’t find them. I asked just about every zoo personnel but none of them knew anything, one woman at the information booth even walked me to the location before she admitted herself that they were gone. This is really distressing… one of the many reasons not to offer to press coins for others.
Anyway, I had more luck at the ESPN Zone. Since I bought a one day pass, I stopped at Federal Triangle to press the coins at the Post Office Pavilion and the National Aquarium. When I got to the American History Museum, I saw that the road leading to the museum was torn up. A construction worker by the road told me that the museum’s been closed for nearly 2 years now. Wow… I never knew.
New EC’s from ESPN Zone Washington DC
I’m planning a trip to DC this Sunday. Mainly I’m going for the ESPN Zone coins, but I’ll also be dropping by the National Zoo to press a few sets for friends.
Please leave a comment if you’re interested in trade or purchase for these locations. Trip details to come!
Jennifer and I visited Shenandoah this weekend. Unfortunately it was raining the whole day 
Both Front Royal and Luray in West Virgina are close to the park, and we got all the coins from the shops (with the exception of the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum, the machine was broken.)
Hopefully I’ll post up the new pix in a few days.
I just got back from my trip to Washington DC with my sister. These day trips are a bit taxing, especially when the Metro shuts down.
We went to the National Zoological Park, the Air and Space Museum, the Natural History Museum, and a few other places. All the machines are in fine working condition. Will post the penny images later.
Today I went to the National Emergency Training Center (also known as the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in PC) to press coins.
Before I went, I checked on PC and there seemed to be different opinions as to how many coins and where they are at this location. One account said there are two designs, the other said that there is only one.
When I went there, I confirmed that there is only one machine. It wasn’t until I looked into the machine when I realized that there are two designs after all. Although the machine only has one die, there are pre-pressed coins of two kinds scattered inside. Talking to the people at the shop, they told me that the designs are switched out every two years. They can sell you the different design that are pre-pressed and lying in the machine, but I think I got the last copper one.
Anyway, I pressed a few extras of the first design. If you would like this design, please leave a comment on this post and I’ll get your information to send you the EC. Limited supplies.
New EC’s from the National Emergency Training Center Emmitsburg, MD
I pressed the coins from the first three machines from the American Museum of Natural History with my family when we were visiting my sister in NYC last year. This time I made a special trip to press the four coins from the new machine, as well as fill the request of fellow collectors.
It may be slow on my part, but I just realized that the designs from the new machine are for the movie “Night at the Museum”. There are Roosevelt, the mammoth bones, t-rex, and the Easter Island head.
The machines were all spread out, and it takes a while to locate all of them. Here are the new coins:
New EC’s from American Museum of Natural History New York, NY
Traded with Char:
New EC from Welland Canal St. Cathinerines, Canada
New EC from Butterfly Conservatory Niagara Falls, Canada
New EC from White Water Walk and Boardwalk Niagara Falls, Canada
Traded with Fay:
New EC’s from National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Fort Worth, TX
After moving to Maryland, I found many new places with penny machines that are within driving distance. There are Baltimore and Washington DC, New York City is also just a bus ride away. After looking through all my options, I decided to group the two locations at Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown in West Virginia together.
Before going, I asked the group if anyone would like me to press them a set. I received 11 requests for Harpers Ferry and 12 for Shepherdstown, total of 75 pennies (including a set for myself) and $37.50 worth of quarters. A pretty hefty amount of coins to lug around.
I first drove to Harpers Ferry. I drive by the place often from my hiking trips. Unfortunately the shop Country Treasures Gifts and Souvenirs closed early that day. It’s located among rows of mom and pop stores and there is a decent number of tourists wondering around.
Next I went to Mimi’s Ice Cream at Shepherdstown. The store is right across from Shepherdstown University and I was luckier this time and got to press the coins. The next day I went to Harpers Ferry again to get the remaining presses.
Here are the coins:
New EC’s from Country Treasures Gifts and Souvenirs Harpers Ferry, WV
New EC’s from Mimi’s Ice Cream? Shepherdstown, WV
