 The Vintage Mickey Pressed Penny, DL0001 |
 Mickey Mouse Penny Press Machine Marquee / Sign |
(Vintage Pressed Penny - Elongated Coin from Disneyland Park)
DISNEYLAND ® , Mickey Mouse head with rays, © DISNEY, large image. Here is a link to a page with other early Mickey Mouse Rays pressed pennies.
Often called the "Mickey Rays", "Mickey Sunburst", or "Mickey Star burst", this elongated coin is acknowledged as the first Disney on-stage pressed penny. This coin was offered at Disneyland Park, Anaheim, the first Disney location to offer a penny press machine. Die and machine by Centek. Designer: Gene Calmelat. First on-stage June 1987. Off stage October 1987. Design is similar to DN0001, DL0005 and DL0007 - DL0007a . Note: This coin is larger in size and the "ray" that touches the bottom of the "D" in Disneyland is complete from border to ear. Standard grip image.
The DL0001 and DL0002 dies proved too soft and were easily damaged. Subsequently, the dies were returned to Centek and replaced with harder DL0005 and DL0006 dies featuring 1/8" smaller engraved images. (Per our 1990's interview with the person in charge of Centek at the time of the die replacements.)
An early Centek roll with a progressive gripper modification was reported by well-known collector Alan S. in 2007. Detail comparison early and on-stage DL0001's, grips etc.
Related:
Disneyland Pressed Penny History
Disneyland Pressed Penny Collections
The Vintage Disney Pressed Penny Guide