Cape May Lighthouse – Cape May Point State Park
Cape May Point, NJ
From collectors
The first known lighthouse at Cape May was built in 1823. By 1847 a new lighthouse was erected on a high bluff, however, due to the encroaching sea and poor building design it was eventually dismantled. The exact locations of the first two lighthouses are now underwater due to erosion. Built in 1859, the current lighthouse used the original bricks of the 1847 lighthouse. It is the third fully documented lighthouse to be built at Cape May Point. The 157-foot-high Cape May Lighthouse was automated in 1946, and continues as an aid to navigation to this day. Visitors who climb the 199 steps to the top of the lighthouse are rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of the scenic Cape May peninsula. The view from the top extends to Cape May City and Wildwood to the north, Cape May Point to the south, and, on a clear day, Cape Henlopen, Delaware, to the west. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 12, 1973.
Hours of operation: Saturday and Sunday 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Call ahead to verify. Hours and days may be seasonally extended.
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 to 12 and children under 3 free.
Plenty of free parking.
Machine 1: In the main lighthouse lobby. Design is:
1) (V) 'Cape May Lighthouse 1859', Lighthouse with
Machine 3 gone as of 5/10/25 Cost to press: 51¢ each design.
1) (V) Fire Control Tower No. 23 with 'World War II Lookout Tower'.
2) (V) The top of Cape May lighthouse with 'Cape May Lighthouse'.
3) (V) A sailboat and trilobite in front of the lighthouse with 'Cape May New Jersey'.
Retired Moved machines:
Moved 2 - 11/16 to Cape May County Park and Zoo. Designs:
1) (V) Fire Control Tower No. 23 and U.S. flag and 8 stars with 'World War II Lookout Tower Sunset Beach'. 2) (V) Lighthouse with 'Cape May Lighthouse 1859'. 3) (V) Sailboat and two jumping dolphins in front of lighthouse with 'Cape May Point State Park'. 4) (H) Trilobite with 'Cape May New Jersey'.
G.P.S. coordinates: Latitude: N38° 55' 59.3178" Longitude: W74° 57' 37.1514"
Google Maps coordinates: W2MQ+6Q Cape May, New Jersey
5/10/25: Machine 1 Out of Service.
9/12/26: Machine 1 has been retired and is up for sale by the owner.
Machines and designs
| Machine | Designs | Coin type |
|---|---|---|
| Machine 3 (Added 2017) - Lighthouse Lobby | 3 | Penny |
| (Retired) Machine 1 | ? | Penny |
| Moved 2 - To Cape May County Park and Zoo | ? | Penny |
3 photos from collectors
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