What are the best pennies to used in a craft, pre-1980 ones that are pure copper but need lots of shining, or more current ones that are an alloy, but require little shining?

I am going to some amusement parks soon and they have pressed penny machines. I am planning to press some pennies and do a craft with them.

In reading up on this, I learned that pennies manufactured before 1980 are pure copper, whereas ones after 1980 are an alloy.

More current ones are shiny, and I am now trying to shine up some pre-1980 ones, which is a lot of work and time.

I am wondering if the current ones are better or if I should bother shining up the old ones. Any Jellies know?