Original Magic Penny Kits on Display at Brunel University Exhibition 1996 Click photo to enlarge (75K)

Magic Penny magnets (sponsored by the Institute of Physics, Brunel University and The Royal Institution) are different in many ways from the usual magnets found around the home or in schools.

Magic Penny magnets have been designed specially for enjoyment, learning and relaxation. The shape, size, materials, and method of magnetisation of the magnets, have been carefully chosen to take full advantage of the magnetic properties of the post 1992 British 1p and 2p coins.
With the cooperation of The Royal Mint, packs containing seventeen newly-minted coins, two magnets, and a 56 page fully illustrated book entitled "Investigating Magnetism", were launched in November 1995.

The packs were available directly from Brunel University Education Liaison, from the Science Museum and from Harrods and other stores.

The packs received excellent reviews in The Times Educational Supplement and the School Science Review and have been widely featured in the media. Extensive articles have been published in The Times and the Independent. Magic Penny magnetic models have appeared on the Big Breakfast Show and on BBC Children's Television and are presently on display at the Daresbury Nuclear Laboratories Science centre.

The things that can be done with the magnets and the new coins have fascinated young and old alike. The rolling of a coin along the top, or underside, of a wire coathanger, or unopened steel can, has amazed many top physicists and engineers, and as far as is known has not been observed previously. The levitating pyramid of coins that can be built using the magnets was shown for the first time at the 1995 Annual Congress of the Institute of Physics, and was pictured in The Times. These and many other newly observed phenomena are described in "Investigating Magnetism".

In addition to such functional aspects many have also commented on the aesthetic qualities of the magnets both with and without the coins attached. The black plastic cushioned ends and the non-magnetic stainless steel sleeves, specially chosen to prevent the ceramic magnets chipping but without affecting their optimum magnetic field, make them both attractive to the eye and to the touch. Artistic opportunities abound.

The development of the magnet, and the investigations described in "Investigating Magnetism", stem directly from the chance finding of a car key box with a coin stuck to the magnet attached to its back. By asking questions and simple experiment, one thing followed another until the magnet packs and a collection of interactive exhibition models resulted.

Of the models, the Magic Penny Roundabout in which 8 coins roll underneath a halo of steel attached only by their rims, and a magnetic stand (like that pictured in The Times) made out of English bog oak over 2000 years old, are perhaps the highlights.

The Magic Penny Society was invited by the Institute of Physics to present the models in an exhibition entitled "and the penny jumped over the car" at their 1995 Annual Congress. It was the enthusiasm shown by children, adults, teachers and top scientists alike, when playing with the models, that provided the drive to make these stimulating packs of specially designed relatively low cost magnets available to all.

Provided additional sponsorship can be found the very popular exhibition for all ages can be readily restaged.

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