Potter Park Zoo Just Unveiled 4 New Pressed Penny Designs

People collect all kinds of stuff. Some people collect Hot Wheels cars. Others collect guitar picks. Me—I collect pressed pennies. So you know I got excited when I learned that Potter Park Zoo in Lansing was going to be getting some new ones.

Potter Park announced back in June this year that they would be retiring the two pressed penny machines they had and replacing the four designs they featured. The old designs, which had been there for more than twenty years, were the African lion, black rhino, mandrill, and lemur.

Well, those designs have officially retired as the new pressed pennies have officially arrived.

New Pressed Pennies Have Arrived at Potter Park Zoo

If you haven't been to Potter Park Zoo recently, you should head over. Not just to enjoy the zoo, but to collect the new pennies, if that's your thing...

The new designs arrived at the end of July and include an Eastern Bongo, black rhino, river otter, and Pallas cat.

Here Are the Four New Potter Park Zoo Penny Designs

The new pressed pennies from Potter Park Zoo, arrival July 2026, replacing old designs and machine - Eastern Bongo pressed penny

Sure, you could go and choose one design to commemorate your trip to Potter Park, but why not get them all like I did?

The new pressed pennies from Potter Park Zoo, arrival July 2026, replacing old designs and machine - Black Rhino pressed penny

READ RELATED: Pursuing Pressed Pennies? Here's Where to Find Them in Lansing

The new pressed pennies from Potter Park Zoo, arrival July 2026, replacing old designs and machine - River Otter pressed penny

To be fair, if I had to choose, I would pick the river otter and the Pallas cat because those are obviously the cutest.

The new pressed pennies from Potter Park Zoo, arrival July 2026, replacing old designs and machine - Pallas Cat pressed penny

I will say there was one thing I liked less about this new experience versus the original, and that's the fact that it's digital. I guess it makes sense, because these days, who carries spare change anymore? Especially now that the U.S. isn't minting the penny.

The new pressed pennies from Potter Park Zoo, arrival July 2026, replacing old designs and machine - Pressed penny machine instructions

But, I miss when you were able to put the penny and two quarters in the slot and then crank the wheel until your pressed penny comes out. Now you swipe your card, and it costs $1.50 per penny.

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All in all, still a 10 out of 10 experience.