How to Coin Stack a Penny Bridge

Making structures out of stacked coins is a good way to occupy yourself and have fun with coins. You don't have to build the Taj Mahal--start with a coin stack penny bridge.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Collect a lot of pennies. You will need a large number to stack a penny bridge.

2. Start your penny bridge by stacking ten pennies. Make sure this stack is nice and straight. Put two pennies on the top of the stack side by side and place a third penny on top of them. The third penny helps the other two stay balanced on top of the stack and still overhang a little. Repeat the process with three more pennies. Continue doing this until you have the height you wish.

3. Make a second stack of pennies, ten pennies high, and add the same number of overhanging pennies to match the first stack of pennies as you coin stack a penny bridge. The edges of the overhanging pennies should touch.

4. Connect the two stacks of pennies by adding a penny between the two stacks, then adding pennies so that the two stacks of pennies form the stanchions of a bridge. The middle of the coin stack bridge will be highest in the middle, forming a very gradual arch.

5. Extend the bridge stanchions by setting the first two pennies on top of each stack with a space between them. Add the third penny to secure the two overhanging pennies in place, and then add more pennies until the overhanging pennies are four pennies wide. By alternating the pennies, you will be able to make a more elaborate coin stack penny bridge.