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NORTHERN MICHIGAN & UPPER PENINSULA COINS FOR SALE Where does “Up
North” begin? For purposes of this
page, draw a line from the southern border of Manistee County to the southern
border of Iosco County, placing Manistee, Cadillac, West Branch and Tawas
City in our northern region (even though we don’t have coins from three of
those cities). Ludington is in the
southern/central Michigan section on our Michigan page. |
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Are you seeing
garbled pictures on this page? Click here for solution.
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Sorry - No foreign
shipping until the tariff wars have ended |
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We will be reorganizing this page soon to create distinct
geographical zones Maybe I’ll even figure out how to make maps clickable
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Northern
Michigan &
Upper Peninsula NW Michigan/Traverse City Area Southern Michigan: |
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SAULT
STE. MARIE Two new machines appeared in The Soo in May
2025. One was reported on PennyCollector; the other
is a new find |
FAMOUS SOO
LOCKS BOAT TOUR Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
New 5-die
machine supplied in May 2025 by The Penny Press Machine Co. (TPPMCo). TPPMCo dies are designed to roll shorter so they can fit
5 designs on a die ring normally able to handle only 4 designs. All these coins have “Sault Ste. Marie,
MI.” on the back. Designs: Tour boat,
“Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours” Ship
“Valley Camp” (Great Lakes freighter open for tours) Lighthouse,
“White Fish Point” Ship
“Edmund Fitzgerald” Michigan
map, Great Lakes Soo Locks” Rolled on
pre-1982 copper cents that have been cleaned and polished. |
321 W.
PORTAGE STREET Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
This
location took us by surprise – we learned of it from a worker at the Boat
Tour while we were rolling coins at that location. The same people own the
gift shops at two seasonal Portage Street locations, as well as a permanent
year-round store on Ashmun Street. This gift
shop has no name on the front, but shares a parking lot with the Adoba Lockview Motel right
across from the main entrance to the Army Corps of Engineers Soo Locks
visitor center. When the tourist
season ends, this machine will move to the U.P.
North Wilderness store at 416 Ashmun Street. It’s a
5-design machine made by The Penny Press Machine Company (TPPMCo)
in Minnesota, which has been actively placing machines in Michigan
recently. Like the Boat Tours machine,
this machine was unveiled in May 2025 at the beginning of the tourist season. TPPMCo dies are designed
to roll shorter so they can fit 5 designs on a die ring normally able to
handle only 4 designs. All these coins
have “Sault Ste. Marie, MI.” on the back. Designs: Circle with
moose in it, “Sault Ste. Marie 1668” Tower of
History Freighter
with “Soo Locks” U.P. map,
“Upper Peninsula Michigan” Ship “SS
Edmund Fitzgerald – Perished Nov 10th 1975 – Lake Superior” Rolled on
pre-1982 copper cents that have been cleaned and polished. |
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GREAT LAKES GIFTS Sault Ste.
Marie, Michigan This single-die machine with a ship
has been at this location forever – and was (until recently) the only penny
press in town. It still rolls short. We have rolled this design on wheat
pennies that have been only mildly cleaned. You will easily see the wheat
ears and Lincoln’s head, and can probably make out the date on most of the
coins we rolled. Circulated
Wheat cent UP19w $2.99
Regular
copper versions are available on our Northern Michigan page |
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PARADISE/NEWBERRY There are now two machines at the
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point. A new machine has been added
to the Upper Tahquamenon Falls (although we do not have extras to sell), replacing
the older machine at the gift shop. In
addition, we finally went to Oswald’s Bear Ranch in Newberry, where the
machine is disappointing. |
GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK MUSEUM Whitefish
Point/Paradise, Michigan New set circa 2024. Complete set of 4 rolled on preloaded zinc
pennies. We are offering these on
ordinary circulated zinc pennies and on higher-quality (but still circulated)
zinc cents. Ordinary
zinc pennies UP42z $12.99 Better
quality zinc pennies UP42ZZ $17.99
ONLY 5 ‘BETTER QUALITY’ SETS AVAILABLE |
GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK MUSEUM Whitefish
Point/Paradise, Michigan
Single-die machine with lighthouse
design. Available on cleaned/polished Canadian 1964 cent, or on a partially cleaned
wheat penny where the underlying coin will likely be visible. Whitefish Point is on Lake
Superior. The Edmund Fitzgerald sank off its coast on the Canadian side of
the lake. |
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OSWALD’S BEAR RANCH Newberry, Michigan
Four designs are available at this popular
bear attraction. Unfortunately, the machine rolls short (see photo). It’s an expensive place to visit, so we
don’t know if we will take the chance to visit again and try for improved
rolls. |
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We don’t
have extras of the new Tahquamenon Falls dies the machine stopped working
while we were there. Nonetheless, here’s
a photo of the new set. We hope to
stock it in 2026, depending on our travel schedule. |
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ST. IGNACE |
BACK IN STOCK
INDIAN VILLAGE St. Ignace, Michigan
We sold out of these a couple years ago, so
we made extra copies this year. We
have this single-die design depicting the ubiquitous Mackinac Bridge on
either 1964 Canadian cents that
have been cleaned and highly polished (you probably won’t be able to make out the image of young Queen Elizabeth II
or the maple leafs on the back), or on slightly cleaned U.S. wheat pennies where the wheat stalks and Lincoln
should be visible. . |
TROPIC NORTH St. Ignace, Michigan Another view of the Mackinac Bridge – this coin
is nearly identical to the coin from Marshall’s Fudge in Mackinaw City. We have them on partially cleaned U.S. wheat
cents where the wheat stalks and Lincoln should be visible, or on regular
(Memorial) copper cents that have been cleaned and polished. Regular copper
cent UP01cp $1.99
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MACKINAW CITY |
Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park Mackinaw City,
Michigan It hasn’t been easy to get to this seasonal
state park east of Mackinaw City. When
I drive through this area, I usually arrive after their operating hours. This year I made a special trip and got
sets from the gift shop. We have these on U.S. copper cents that have been cleaned and polished, and on partially
cleaned wheat cents where the
wheat stalks and Lincoln should be visible. Copper (Memorial)
cents MI106cp $5.99
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MARSHALL’S FUDGE Mackinaw City,
Michigan
We already have the regular copper version on
our Michigan page. Now we have added wheat cents to the mix. They are pressed
on slightly cleaned wheat pennies with visible wheat stalks and Lincoln’s
head. |
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BACK IN STOCK FORT FUDGE SHOP Mackinaw City,
Michigan We have these on
regular copper and also on wheat cents
Complete set of 4 rolled on copper cents that
have been cleaned and polished. Copper (Memorial) cents MI57cp
$5.99 Note: this location also has a Typer token
machine (75 cents each) with original typer tokens that came from Mackinac
Island (as did the machine). I made a
token from this machine circa 1970 at Mackinac Island.
Same as above, but rolled on slightly cleaned
wheat cents with visible wheat stalks and Lincoln’s head. |
BACK IN STOCK I-75 PLAZA (ex-Bargain Barn) Mackinaw City,
Michigan
Complete set of 4
rolled on uncirculated pre-1982 copper cents. |
OTHER NEWS FROM MACKINAW CITY Candy
Corner/Windjammer (2 machines with 5 coins) is now closed. There is a new owner, they are giving the shop
a new name, and they didn’t keep the machines. Pharaoh’s
Family Fun Center has the old Grand Hotel/Admiral Dave’s Arcade machine from
Mackinac Island. We have that 3-coin
set on our regular Northern Michigan page. |
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CHARLEVOIX Both these
machines are a couple years old, but new to our catalog in 2025 |
CASTLE FARMS Charlevoix, Michigan
Complete set of 4 rolled on copper cents that
have been cleaned and polished. Designs: logo; dragon; castle building; 1918
Cellars logo. |
HUNGRY DUCKS FARM Charlevoix, Michigan
Complete set of 4 rolled on copper cents that
have been cleaned and polished. This
location is half a mile south of Castle Farms and is geared more toward
children. Designs: two ducks; goat; cow; carousel. |
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WEST MICHIGAN LAKE MICHIGAN COAST We have
added sets from three recently-installed machines along the Lake Michigan
coast |
POINT BETSIE
LIGHTHOUSE Frankfort, Michigan Complete set of 4 from the lighthouse. This
set machine was added around 2023 or 2024 and depicts three lighthouse scenes
and a logo. Pressed on copper cents that
have been cleaned and polished for a high shine. |
LST 393 VETERANS MUSEUM Muskegon,
Michigan
Complete set of 5 from the TPPMCo machine at the museum. All are rolled on pre-1982 copper cents
that have been cleaned and polished. Designs: 3 views of the ship; Jeep;
Sherman tank. |
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SILVER TOWN MINI GOLF Silver Lake/Mears,
Michigan
Complete set of 4 rolled on circulated zinc
pennies supplied by the machine. This machine, and animated “Pappy” machine
(old prospector Pappy rolls the coins and talks your ear off) was apparently
added in 2024. This location is only open seasonally. Expect some ugly circulated coins in these
sets, unfortunately. |
BETTER COINS IN STOCK MAC WOOD’S DUNE RIDES Silver Lake/Mears,
Michigan
For years this set rolled way too short. On
our last visit we were able to obtain more complete rolls showing the entire
image (see photo for example). These
are rolled on uncirculated pre-1982 copper cents. Designs: Logo; horseshoe/my lucky penny; ride
vehicle. |
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NW MICH./ |
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE
TOKEN Empire,
Michigan
National park token
from Sleeping Bear Dunes visitor center.
Both sides shown in photo. NP15 $2.99
OUT OF STOCK |
GREAT WOLF LODGE Traverse
City, Michigan
Complete set of 4
from the popular water park, pressed on zinc cents. All should be considered “circulated”
condition, but we have removed the worst of the lot to sell separately as
blemished sets. Designs: Cherries Wolf paw MagiQuest Character
BLEMISHED SETS Blemished sets –
expect some or all of the coins to be heavily circulated condition. Two sets available. |
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BUCKLEY OLD ENGINE SHOW Buckley, Michigan This massive show of old vehicles, from farm
tractors to snowmobiles to trains, operates a single weekend every year. They have their own penny press, which
makes 4 designs. Complete set of 4 on
uncirculated copper cents.
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THE TAFFY BARREL Charlevoix, Michigan
Set of 4 designs: All are inscribed
“Charlevoix Michigan” – sailboats; lighthouse; drawbridge; mushroom house (a
style of homes in the city’s historic district). All coins roll short, as shown in the
photo. This store suffered fire damage in 2023 and was closed but apparently
reopened in summer 2024. All these sets were
pressed on cleaned copper cents |
MR. BILL’S SHIRT SHOP Traverse City, Michigan Two machines are found at this location. The second machine has a backstamp. These machines are a bit erratic, so we
were only able to get 3 sets of each for resale. Rolled on copper cents with streaking as if they
had been cleaned. We are marking these
as “blemished” as a result.
Set 1: No backstamp
Set 2: with backstamp (you are receiving 4 pennies)
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GRANDPA
SHORTER’S Petoskey, Michigan
Complete set of 4, rolled on uncirculated copper
cents. Designs: Building; Gaslight District/antique street lamp;
Petoskey Stone; sunset over harbor with lighthouse. |
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INDIAN All pressed on uncirulated
copper cents |
CROSS IN THE WOODS
Complete set of 4 pennies pressed on
copper cents. Cross in the Woods is a religious icon with a massive sculpture
created by Michigan favorite Marshall Fredericks (he also designed the Spirit
of Detroit statue). The coins all have backstamps. Designs: Cross in the Woods; holy
family; prayer; “A guardian angel to watch over you.” #MI53 $4.99
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BIG BEAR ADVENTURES
Complete set of 4 from this kayak/tube
rental location across from the state park. Has backstamp. Copper cents. Designs: Cross in the Woods; Burt
Lake/Indian River; Big Bear/Sturgeon River; Big Bear Adventures. All coins have backstamps with location
information. |
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INDIAN RIVER TRADING POST/ McDONALD’S/
SHELL GAS STATION This one-stop store has a machine with
a single die featuring an Indian chief’s head. All coins at this location roll slightly
short, cutting off the bottom inscription.
A backstamp reads “Indian River.”
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ON INDIAN
HEAD PENNY & BIMETAL ECUADOR 100 SUCRES
Rolled on circulated Indian head penny. The Indian head of the original penny will
be shown on the reverse side; alignment will vary by coin. |
Rolled on uncirculated Ecuador 100 sucres bimetal
coins. All of these have a cut-off
bottom inscription, and are off-center as shown in the representative photo. |
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GREAT
LAKES MARITIME HERITAGE CENTER Alpena,
Michigan A single coin from
the machine at the museum. This was
unavailable during the pandemic but restrictions lifted recently. Both sides shown.
Rolled on bimetal
Ecuador 100 sucres. Gives a fuller
roll than pennies. |
LUMBERMAN’S
MONUMENT/ DESI’S
RESTAURANT Oscoda,
Michigan Complete set of 3
from this monument deep in the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Designs: monument; River Road Scenic Byway;
Huron-Manistee National Forest. We
have these in copper as well as bimetal coins from Ecuador. This machine was moved
to Desi’s Restaurant in town. We do not know if that was a permanent move or
only seasonal, but is the same set.
Rolled on bimetal
Ecuador 100 sucres. Gives a fuller
roll than pennies. |
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TAWAS
POINT STATE PARK East Tawas, Michigan
After
two years of flooding and COVID, the gift shop is open regularly and the
penny press became available in late July 2021. We have complete sets of 4 rolled on
uncirculated copper cents that show some signs of patina or minor
fingerprints. Designs:
Piping Plover (beach bird); “Happy Camper” with camping trailer; Tawas Point
lighthouse; Great Lakes Freighter (ship). |
BEN
FRANKLIN STORE East Tawas, Michigan
Ben
Franklin was a national chain of five and dime stores. One of its stores survives in East Tawas. This
3-die set has the following designs: Tawas Point Lighthouse; Mackinac Bridge
(although Tawas is not near the bridge); Lumbermen's Monument. All these sets were pressed on cleaned copper cents |
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All Mackinaw City coins are pressed on
cleaned or on uncirculated cents, as noted in the descriptions. Why
is Mackinaw spelled two different ways?
Simple. It had the French spelling
when founded by the French (they shortened the Indian name Michilimackinac to
“Mackinac”). The British used an
English spelling, “Mackinaw” – although both are pronounced the same way
(ending in “aw”). The bridge, the
county in the U.P., the water Straits, and the island use the French
spelling. Mackinaw City, a Coast Guard
ship, and a style of clothing all use the English spelling. |
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MACKINAC ISLAND Always topping the lists of favorite American
destinations, Mackinac Island sits in Lake Hurom between St. Ignace and
Mackinaw City. Cars are forbidden
here, so bicycles and horse-drawn carriages dominate the island. Even FedEx and Amazon use deliver horses
here. Most visitors take a ferry to get
here, although private boats and small aircraft can be accomodated. There is a hardy full-time population on
the island even during the harshest winters, but it is primarily a seasonal
place to visit. Mackinac Island is technically part of
the Upper Peninsula, as it is part of the U.P.’s Mackinac County (county
seat: St. Ignace). |
MACKINAC ISLAND STATE PARKS VISITORS
CENTER
The visitor center is located on Main
Street across from Marquette Park below the fort. Complete set of 4 pressed on cleaned 1974D
copper pennies. Designs: Arch Rock; Mackinac Island
outline map; “Somewhere in Time” Gazebo; Fort Mackinac. Backstamp: “Mackinac State Historic Parks”
and phone number. #UP07 $4.99
SOLD OUT |
HIGHSTONES FAMILY CLOTHING
Complete set of 4 from this shop at
the Star Line ferry dock. All coins
have backstamps. Pressed on
uncirculated pre-1982 copper cents. Designs: Star Line Ferry; Mackinac
Bridge; horse-drawn carriage; Grand Hotel.
Backstamp: “Mackinac Island” Moved to Mackinaw City – Pharaoh’s
Famnily Fun Center – in 2023 or 2024. #UP05/MI68 $4.99
BACK IN
STOCK |
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THE GRAND HOTEL/MISSION POINT RESORT/ PHARAOH’S FUN CENTER (Mackinaw City)
The most elegant hotel in Michigan had
a penny press in its arcade with 3 designs.
Those not staying at the hotel have to pay $10 to enter this
area! In 2021 the machine was moved to
the arcade at Mission Point Resort (it was briefly listed as “retired”) and
was later reloacted to Pharoah’s Fun Center in Mackinaw City. Pressed on cleaned 1974D copper
cents. Designs: Indian chief; turtle (the
name “Mackinac” is an Indian word for turtle); old-time bicycle. These coins roll slightly short, cutting
off the border dots and part of the inscriptions. |
ISLAND BOOKSTORE
This little shop tucked away in a
courtyard at the Lilac Tree Hotel has a machine with 4 designs. This complete set is pressed on cleaned
copper cents. Designs: Round Island Lighthouse; Fort
Mackinac; Grand Hotel; Mackinac Bridge. |
SUTLER’S
STORE AT
FORT MACKINAC Mackinac
Island, Michigan
Complete set of 4
from the gift shop inside the fort.
You have to pay to get to the island, and pay again to get into the
fort. |
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LOON
FEATHER Mackinac
Island, Michigan
A new 8-die machine
on Mackinac Island – northern Michigan’s first pre-loaded zinc machine. How special for all of us. This set is not available on copper – only
zinc. |
SURREY
HILLS CARRIAGE MUSEUM Mackinac
Island, Michigan There are two 1-die
machines in the retail area of the museum; we are selling them separately.
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SURREY
HILLS CARRIAGE MUSEUM Mackinac
Island, Michigan
Mackinac
Bridge design: UP39 $1.49
Mackinac
Bridge design on Ecuador bimetal coin: |
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ST. IGNACE St. Ignace is the northern terminus of
the Mackinac Bridge and (until summer 2024)
one of two locations for catching the Mackinac Island ferry. For most,
it is their gateway into the Upper Peninsula, where the terrain suddenly
changes, Paul Bunyan is revered, and chain stores and restaurants are fairly
scarce. You will see that it is common to
feature the Mackinac Bridge in northern Michigan sets, and an outline map of the
Upper Peninsula in U.P sets Check the backstamps and you can see
that they are distinctly different coins, though |
MYSTERY
SPOT
Another
legendary tourist attraction, its billboards used to be plastered all across
Michigan. There are 4 designs at this
machine, all with backstamps. Designs:
Mystery Spot with Upper Peninsula map; Mackinac Bridge; My Lucky Penny;
Mystery Spot logo. ONE SET LEFT |
DEER
RANCH
Complete
set of 4 design from this tourist spot on US 2. All pressed on copper cents, with
backstamps. Designs:
Running deer logo (as featured on attraction’s sign); Mackinac Bridge; Upper
Peninsula outline map; fawn. |
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CURIO
FAIR
St.
Ignace is filled with seasonal tourist gift shops. This one has a machine with 4 designs, and
all feature backstamps with the store’s name and information. Designs:
Mackinac Bridge; Curio Fair building; Upper Peninsula outline map; St. Helena
lighthouse. |
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KEWADIN
CASINO
This
casino north of town is one of several operated by the Sault Tribe of
Chippewa Indians. This is the only one
of their casinos with a penny press.
Complete set of 4 designs pressed on copper. Designs:
Kewadin logo; My Lucky Penny; slot machine; Mackinac Bridge. All have backstamps with the casino's phone
number. |
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SOUVENIR
BARN
Another
gift shop;complete set of 4 designs pressed on copper cents, with backstamp. Designs:
Mackinac Island horse-drawn carriage; Upper Peninsula outline map; Edmund Fitzgerald
lake freighter; Mackinac Bridge. |
CASTLE
ROCK
The
legendary tourist attraction has one machine with 4 dies. Despite other reports, there is not a
second (1-die) machine at this location.
This complete set of 4 is pressed on uncirculated copper cents. Al the coins have a backstamp. Designs:
Castle Rock; Upper Peninsula map outline with St. Ignace designated on map;
Mackinac Bridge; Up North Michigan with moose. __________ CASTLE
ROCK WOODEN NICKEL
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MACKINAW CITY This quaint city is the southern
terminus of the Mackinac Bridge, and the northernmost point in the lower
peninsula. Before the bridge was built
in 1957, the city was packed with tourists waiting overnight for their appointed
time to load their cars onto ferries to cross the 5-mile Straits of Mackinac
so they could reach the Upper Peninsula.
Visitors to Mackinac Island would stay here, and were transported by
the railroads from the population centers in Detroit, Chicago, Grand Rapids,
Flint, and elsewhere. Alas, the
railroads are gone, as are the ferries crossing the straits. |
FORT FUDGE SHOP
Located across from Fort
Michilimackinac, and next to the separately-owned Fort Gift Shop & Candy
Kitchen. Complete set of 4, with
backstamps. Uncirculated copper cents. Designs: Fort Michilimackinac
blockhouse; Mackinaw Point lighthouse; U.S. Coast Guard ship Mackinaw;
Mackinac Bridge. |
FORT GIFT SHOP & CANDY KITCHEN
Located across from Fort
Michilimackinac, and next to the independently-owned Fort Fudge Shop. Entrances are on N. Louvigny and on Straits
Avenue, making it easy to reach both “Fort”-named shops in a single stop. Complete set of 4. Uncirculated copper cents. Designs: “North Michigan” Bigfoot;
Fort Michilmackinac; Mackinac Bridge; Old Mackinaw Lighthouse. |
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MAMA MIA’S PIZZA
Complete set of 3 coins pressed on cleaned 1974D copper cents. Above this location is a free museum
about the contruction of the Mackinac Bridge and honoring the ironworkers who
made it happen. Designs: Grand Hotel; Mackinac Bridge;
Mackinac Island horse-drawn carriage.
They roll a bit short, cutting off border dots but not the artwork. |
A CAT’S GRIN TOURIST TRAP A rare dime pressing
A gift shop that proudly embraces the
“tourist trap” label! The machine has
a Dime-n-Mine machine that produces an elongated dime. This machine has been around forever, and
it typically rolls short (as shown in the sample photo). This is the only machine in the Mackinac
region that rolls anything other than pennies. Design: Mackinac Bridge. Pressed on AU American dimes. |
MARSHALL’S FUDGE SHOP
This fudge shop has a single-die
machine. Pressed on uncirculated or on
cleaned & polished copper cents. Design: What else? Mackinac Bridge,
without a backstamp. This
machine was reportedly moved to Tropic North in St. Ignace in summer 2020,
and retured to Marshall’s Fudge Shop in 2022- but that was false
information. Both machines were operating
in 2022 (and still in place in 2025). The two machines have nearly identical
Bridge designs, which lead to confusion.
The Tropic North coins are available as our set #UP01. |
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MYSTERY
TOWN USA Mackinaw
City, Michigan An
unfortunate internet rumor declared this attraction permanently closed. Thankfully, it is still open. The 4 pennies (featuring an alien, Bigfoot,
a mermaid, and the Loch Ness monster) were our most popular from last year’s
trip and sold out within a few weeks.
We stocked up on more this time around. Uncirculated copper cents. With
backstamps – you will receive 4 pennies. #MI61 - $4.99 |
O’BRIEN’S
TREASURE CHEST GIFT SHOP
The
gift shop has a 4-die machine, and a backstamp that features the store’s
identifying information. Designs:
Mackinac Island ferry kicking up a roostertail; Mackinac Bridge; Ft.
Michilimackinac; Mackinac Island horse-drawn carriage. Pressed
on cleaned 1974D copper cents. |
CANDY CORNER/WINDJAMMER GIFT SHOP This shop had two machines,
side-by-side. A newer 4-die machine
(set #MI64) features the Grand Hotel; Fort Michilimackinac; Mackinac Bridge;
and Upper Peninsula map outline. All
coins from this machine include a backstamp with the store’s name. The store changed owners in 2025. The name is in the process of being changed
(in July 2025) and the machines were removed upon change of ownership.
Set of 4: Designs: Grand Hotel; Fort Michilimackinac; Mackinac
Bridge; Upper Peninsula map. With
Candy Corner backstamp. The second machine is a single-die
machine (set #MI65) that has been around for decades – and the rough surface
of the pressed coins sure looks like it.
It has a map of Michigan on the front, and a backstamp with “Mackinaw
City.” These are pressed on cleaned
copper cents and may show signs of streaking or fingerprints.
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COLONIAL
FORT MICHILIMACKINAC Mackinaw City, Michigan
This
reconstructed French fort has featured penny presses off-and-on over the
years. In 2021, it’s on again with
this 4-die set. Designs:
Old Mackinac Point lighthouse; Fort Mackinac (on Mackinac Island); Colonial Michilimackinac;
Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park. All these sets were pressed on cleaned copper cents |
MIND
THRILL ESCAPE ROOM Mackinaw
City, Michigan
Complete set of 4
rolled on copper. This machine was
installed in 2021. We call it the
“Mind Thrill” set based on what PennyCollector calls
it, but this is actually a complex of tourist attractions in Mackinaw
Crossings featuring an arcade, axe-throwing, escape rooms, and more. Designs: Spy Quest; Mind Thrill; Mackin
Axe; and Mighty Mac (Mackinac Bridge).
This machine does not have backstamps. |
PHARAOH’S FUN CENTER Mackinaw
City, Michigan
The most elegant hotel in Michigan had
a penny press in its arcade with 3 designs.
Those not staying at the hotel have to pay $10 to enter this
area! In 2021 the machine was moved to
the arcade at Mission Point Resort (it was briefly listed as “retired”). In 2023 or 2024, it was moved to an arcade
in Mackinaw City. Pressed on uncirculated or
cleaned/polished copper cents. Designs: Indian chief; turtle (the name
“Mackinac” is an Indian word for turtle); old-time bicycle. These coins roll slightly short, cutting
off the border dots and part of the inscriptions. |
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I-75 PLAZA (ex-BARGAIN BARN)
Complete set of 4. Uncirculated copper cents; may show minor
fingerprint marks. Designs: “Up North Michigan” Bigfoot; Michigan
lower peninsula “Great Lakes Unsalted”; Chief Wawatam; Mackinac Island
ferries. You will notice three coins from
various locations featuring Bigfoot.
The Bigfoot craze is rather recent; he was not a factor in Michigan
mythology when I was young (you were far more likley to hear about Paul Bunyan
and Babe the Blue Ox). I figure this
type of legend is good for business, and like all legends someone has to make
up the story before others can sell it. This store closed in 2022 or 2023,
and the machine disappeared for a while.
It popped up later at the I-75 Plaza in Mackinaw City. We have removed the “retired” designation,
and lower the price to reflect currentlyt-available coins. |
Mackinac
Bridge Wooden Nickel 2
varieties
From Castle Rock in
St. Ignace. This variation has a
border ring around the Indian head. UP-WN01
(with border ring) $3.00
From Fort Gift Shop
in Mackinaw City. This variation has a
different Indian head without a border ring around the Indian side UP-WN02
(without border ring) $3.00 |
Mackinac
Bridge/Fort Michilimackinac Mackinaw
City token
2
variations From Fort Gift Shop
in Mackinaw City. Each is 1-1/16 inches
in diameter
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UPPER PENINSULA Nearly all the coins have backstamps. All are pressed on uncirculated pre-1982
copper pennies unless noted. We have run out of numbers for Michigan coins! We are now listing Upper
Peninsula coins with the prefix “UP,” and are converting the numbering system
for our older offerings from “MI” to “UP.”
We will include the old MI reference number (for those that had them)
to help you avoid making duplicate purchases. See separate listings below for Mackinac Island
and St. Ignace |
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SOUTH U.P. ALONG LAKE MICHIGAN |
PALMS
BOOK STATE PARK Manistique, Michigan
This
popular park is home to the best known spring-fed pond in the state, Kitch-iti-kipi
Springs. . Designs:
“BIG SPRING” words (no artwork); tour boat with “Big Spring -
Kitch-iti-kipi”; trout; U.P. map with star for location of park. All
the coins have a backstamp with gift shop information, as shown in the
photo. You are purchasing a set of 4
coins. All these sets were pressed on cleaned copper cents |
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GARLYN
ZOOLOGICAL PARK Naubinway,
Michigan Set
of 4 from the gift shop, pressed on uncirculated copper cents. Designs: ring-tailed lemur; alligator &
tortoise; black bear; U.P. map. Bottom
photo shows the backstamp – you will receive 4 pennies. There is a second machine in the zoo; we
hope to have this stocked in July 2021. #UP20/MI84 - $4.99 |
TOP
OF THE LAKE SNOWMOBILE MUSEUM Naubinway,
Michigan Complete
set of 4, pressed on uncirculated copper cents. Designs: snowmobile; fishing boat; U.S.
flag; U.P. map. No backstamps on this
set.
Some coins in these sets show streaking
similar to that found when cleaned pennies are used. No backstamps on these sets. #UP21/MI85 - $4.99 |
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NORTHERN U.P. ALONG LAKE SUPERIOR It’s remote: Detroit to New York City: 614 miles Detroit to Des Moines: 600 miles Detroit to Montreal: 559 miles Detroit to Washington DC: 520 miles Detroit to Ironwood in U.P.: 599 miles Ironwood is farther west (by longitude) than New
Orleans, and both are in the central time zone (Detroit is in the eastern
time zone) |
GLASS
BOTTOM SHIPWRECK TOURS Munising,
Michigan Complete
set of 4, pressed on uncirculated copper cents – limited number of sets due
to machine issues. Bottom photo shows
the backstamp – you will receive 4 pennies. #UP24/MI88 - $4.99 ONLY
5 SETS AVAILABLE |
COUNTRY
VILLAGE Copper Harbor, Michigan
Copper
Harbor is at the northernmost tip of mainland Michigan (a latitude beaten
only by Michigan’s island national park, Isle Royale). This 4-die set features scenes familiar to
the U.P.’s farthest reach: Brockway
Mountain Flyway (with eagle); Michigan’s Oldest Lighthouse; Fort Wilkins
State Park with cannon; and U.P. map inscribed “Top of the World.” You
will receive 4 pennies. The photo also
shows the backstamp common to each coin. All these sets were pressed on cleaned copper cents |
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SURPLUS
OUTLET Houghton,
Michigan Complete
set of 4, pressed on uncirculated copper cents. Designs: Quincy Mine; lift bridge at
Houghton & Hancock; U.P. map (note – although the U.P. map is a common design
at multiple locations, each is a unique design); Up North moose. Bottom
photo shows the backstamp – you will receive 4 pennies. #UP28/MI92 - $5.99 |
PORCUPINE
MOUNTAINS Silver City, Michigan
One
of Michigan’s most beautiful places has a gift shop at its eastern end with 4
designs. This park is so big it
straddles two time zones. Designs:
“I Love You – Porcupine Mountains”; mountain climber; skier; black bear. All these sets were pressed on cleaned copper cents |
BOND
FALLS/PAULDING Bond
Falls is a large waterfall in the western U.P. Although the falls are owned by the local
public utility, the observation area is run as a state park. The nearest community is Paulding (some
listings say Bruce Crossing, but those are erroneous). Paulding itself has quite a history – for
decades mysterious lights appeared over the roadway, leading to all kinds of
fantastic conspiracies. A group of
college students recently claimed they solved the mystery, but I won’t spoil
the fun for you. Two
businesses in the area have penny presses: the Paulding General Store, and
Bond Falls Outpost. The falls and the
mysterious lights are the theme for these coins. The two locations share three identical
designs. We
have a limited number of sets available.
We are only able to sell them as complete sets – in the future we may
offer just the 5 unique coins, but not this year.
Paulding
General Store – Designs: Paulding Lights; Bond Falls; Casper the Ghost
with a lantern; scared old man with a lantern (only available at this location).
Bond
Falls Outpost – Designs: Paulding Lights; Bond Falls; Casper the Ghost
with a lantern; Bond Falls Outpost (only available at this location). All these sets were pressed on cleaned copper cents |
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COPPER
WORLD Calumet,
Michigan Complete
set of 4, pressed on uncirculated copper cents. Designs: Eagle Harbor lighthouse; Calumet
Theatre; Portage lift bridge; Quincy Mine. Bottom
photo shows the backstamp – you will receive 4 pennies. #UP29/MI93 - $5.99 |
QUINCY
MINE HOIST ASSOCIATION Hancock,
Michigan Complete
set of 4, pressed on uncirculated copper cents. Designs: drilling for ore; 1908 shaft
house; scenic cograil tram (one of only two operating cog rail locomotives in
the U.S.); U.P. map. Some coins in these sets show streaking
similar to that found when cleaned pennies are used. Bottom photo shows the
backstamp – you will receive 4 pennies. Federal
historic site. Copper
was discovered in the Keweenaw Peninsula in 1844, marking the first mining
rush in America. While iron ore rules the
main part of the U.P. (notably from Marquette westward), Copper was king in
the Keweenaw. #UP27/MI91 - $5.99 |
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PICTURED
ROCK CRUISES Munising,
Michigan Complete
set of 4, pressed on uncirculated copper cents – limited number of sets due
to machine issues. Bottom photo shows
the backstamp – you will receive 4 pennies. #UP25/MI89 - $4.99 ONLY
3 SETS REMAIN |
SUNDAE
IN THE PARK FORT
WILKINS STATE PARK Copper
Harbor, Michigan 602
miles from Detroit Complete
set of 3, pressed on uncirculated copper cents. Designs: Copper Harbor lighthouse; Fort
Wilkins State Park/cannon; Bear. No backstamps. Reportedly
retired. We’re holding the original
price for now. #UP31/MI95 - $4.99 |
FORT
WILKINS – COPPER HARBOR – SUNDAE
IN THE PARK PRESSED ON STEEL CENTS
Even
though this is Copper Country, I pressed some sets on cleaned steel
pennies. The front is fully cleaned;
the back is uncleaned and shows the 1943 date. Both sides have been sprayed with a thin clear
topcoat (matte finish) to prevent moisture damage in ordinary use (but don’t
soak these in water!). Reportedly
retired. We’re holding the original
price for now. |
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GREAT
LAKES GIFTS Sault
Ste. Marie (the “Soo”), Michigan
Single coin from a
1-die machine. This item has been out
of stock in our catalog for more than a year, but we have restocked the
item. It still rolls short (see
picture for representative example) as it has since my childhood. In the U.P., some
things never change. |
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TAHQUAMENON FALLS
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UPPER FALLS GIFT SHOP
Complete set of 4 from the gift shop
at the lower falls. Uncirculated
copper cents. May show minor fingerprints.
With backstamps advertising “Camp 33 Tahquamenon Brewery.” Designs: Upper Peninsula
map/”Paradise”; moose/”Moose Capital Newberry MI”; Upper Falls; Mackinac
Bridge. These
coins are pressed on uncirculated 1974D copper pennies. They may show minor
fingerprint marks. |
TAHQUAMENON FALLS BREWERY Newberry. Michigan Complete set of 3 from the private
microbrewery and restaurant in the park.
All coins roll short. Designs: moose/”Upper Falls”; brewery
logo; bear/”Lower Falls.” NOW ON COPPER!
We previously only had this set in zinc. They still roll short.
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SOUTHERN
MICHIGAN: |
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New 9/2/2024 Revised
7/20/2026 ©
James McNally |
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