14th Street & Constitution Avenue, N.W., MRC 189.
Washington DC, DC , 20560

Phone: 202-633-1000

Website

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History collects and preserves more than 3 million artifacts of American history and culture, from the War of Independence to the present day. The world class attraction, one of the most popular of the Smithsonian museums in Washington DC, offers a wide range of exhibits that demonstrate the diversity of America’s history and culture. It completed a 2 year and $85 million in renovations in 2008. The remodeling provided a dramatic new presentation of the original Star-Spangled Banner, a chance to see the White House copy of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and a transformation of the museum's extensive collections.

There is a permanent penny exhibit on the first floor. You can see one of the original 1974 aluminum penny test patterns which was never released to the public. There also is an opportunity to vote with your pennies on whether to keep or eliminate the penny from circulation. There are 2 clear tubes that stand about 4 feet tall where you can deposit your pennies to show your support for either proposal. It would be great if penny collectors banded together to deposit their extra zincs to continually top off the tube in support of keeping the penny. This will make a great visual for all visitors!

Penny album is the same for all Smithsonian Museums and also sold is an album for the tokens

Machine 6: Located on the first floor by the main museum shop at the Constitution Ave entrance. 8 designs $1.00 each, all 8 for $5.00. Pre-loaded with Zinc Pennies. All have 'National Museum of American History' on them. Designs are:
1) 'Thomas Edison', Bust,
2) 'Madam C.J. Walker', Bust,
3) Colonial dress,
4) Light Bulb,
5) Piece of old American furniture,
6) Old Car,
7) Guitar,
8) Teddy Bear.

Machine 7: Located on level 2, by the small museum shop at the Madison Dr NW entrance. $1.00 each, bills or credit cards only, pre-loaded with pennies. Designs are:
1) Statute of Liberty torch,
2) Helicopter,
3) 'E Pluribus Unum' with an eagle,
4) Old fire apparatus.

Machine 8: Located on the lower level, just outside the cafeteria. 4 designs, $1 (cash/credit) each, preloaded penny.
1) Uncle Sam
2) Washington's suit
3) Lincoln Profile
4) 1920s Car

Token Machine 1: Located on Level 1
1) 'Votes for Women, Women's Suffrage',
2) Statue of Liberty's head,
3) 'Columbia Bicycle, 1888', image of the big wheel bicycle,
4) Liberty 1933', Liberty walking forward.

Retired machines:

Retired 1: 1) 'National Museum of American History', building,
Retired 2: (All have National Museum of American History on them) 1) 'First ladies, Political roll, Public Image', 2) 'Communities in a Changing Nation', 3) Behring Center', 4) 'Science in American Life'.
Retired 3: (All have National Museum of American History on them) 1) 'The American Presidency, 2) 'Information Age', 3) 'America on the Move', 4) 'Within These Walls', Building
Retired 4: 1) The American Presidency Teddy Bear National Museum of American History, 2) Within these walls... (house) National Museum of American History, 3) America on the Move Winton Car National Museum of American History, 4) National Museum of American History America on the Move (train)
Retired 5: 1) National Museum of American History Spark Lab the Lemelson Center, 2) National Museum of American History Kenneth E Behring Center, 3) National Museum of American History The First Ladies of the Smithsonian
4) National Museum of American History Communities in a changing nation

22/02/24 - all machines located and working. Also uploaded image for machine 8 - MC