$25 Penny Boxes: Surprising Slippage

[Recyclersteve]

I just went through a $25 penny box received from my local bank.

I decided to put the ones I wanted to return back into the same box and keep a count of how many would fit. I was surprised to find that I could only get 1,827 of the original 2,500 pennies back in the box. In other words, the slippage (for lack of a better word) was an astonishing 27%.

I thought I’d be able to get 2,200-2,300 pennies back into the box. I was WAY OFF!

Just to clarify, the pennies taken out of the box were all rolled. The pennies put back in were all loose.

Has anyone tried calculating this before? If so, what have you found?

[68Camaro]

Not surprised. You are comparing the most efficient use of space with random wasted space.

[cwgii]

Hmm.I put 2250 if I don't wish to,,bulge,,the box. A full 2500 if size is not an issue.

Compaction is the key. A ,,layer,, then shake, etc.

[ScrapMetal]

When I sorted and sold copper pennies, I put the loose pennies back in those boxes at 2000 comfortably. The exact $20.00 kept it easy for me to sell.
I was surprised though, that one could not get 2500 loose pennies back in those boxes. I guess it goes to the saying that nature hates randomness over order.

[Silver4face]

On previous deliveries/sales, I have used a penny box a couple times. I had no problems getting 2000 in the box (no bulge, no overflow). But I never tried to go above that.

[Cu Penny Hoarder]

Noticed this many years ago when I first started hoarding Cu. Now all my pennies are stored in 5 gallon buckets.

[Silver4face]

How many pennies does a five gallon bucket hold? Should be more than ten thousand.

[Recyclersteve]

How many pennies does a five gallon bucket hold? Should be more than ten thousand.

It’s gonna be way way more than 10,000. I’d think more along the lines of perhaps even 20,000.

[cwgii]

Too much to lift.lolol

[68Camaro]

5 gallons is 18927 cc. Density of copper is 8.92 g/cc. Copper cents are 5 percent zinc, but let's ignore that for a first estimate. Multiply the two and you get 168829 grams. Let's say you lose a third in "slippage". That's still 249 lbs. Good luck with that ! Lol

[Cu Penny Hoarder]

How many pennies does a five gallon bucket hold? Should be more than ten thousand.

Don't know how many pennies, but a 5 gallon bucket of Cu pennies filled close to the top = 175-180 lbs. Practically impossible to lift, the handle will bend and break.

I never move them. You cannot stack them with lids on the bottom pail because they lids eventually break under all that weight. The blue Lowe's 5 gal pails are crap.

[Cu Penny Hoarder]

How many pennies does a five gallon bucket hold? Should be more than ten thousand.

It’s gonna be way way more than 10,000. I’d think more along the lines of perhaps even 20,000.

180 lbs of Cu pennies = approximately 26,000 pennies.

[Recyclersteve]

I’ve used coffee cans for years and they’re great for penny storage. Just be sure to clean them and let them dry fully before putting pennies in.

[AGgressive Metal]

Some of you won't believe this but the best way to store bulk coins is in .... coin bags

[cwgii]

Some of you won't believe this but the best way to store bulk coins is in .... coin bags

I am assuming you are referring to the ,coin counter bags, Not deposit bags.

[AGgressive Metal]

Some of you won't believe this but the best way to store bulk coins is in .... coin bags

I am assuming you are referring to the ,coin counter bags, Not deposit bags.

In my experience the banks use the same bags to count as they do to deposit, the Fed only accepts clear plastic now, but canvas works just as good for coppers! The point is you want something durable that can be stacked, carried, and poured.