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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,075 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
There is quite a collector base for " elongated cents" There are also many examples, some are quite sought after. I prefer my coins round.  Edited by TNG
01/29/2009 9:07 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
18 USC Sec. 331 Is the statute that is relevant to "penny smashers". The only stipulation that would make theses devices illegal is fraudulent intent. As the purpose of these is to create souvenirs, there is no fraudulent intent, therefore not illegal. It would be illegal, however, to smash a coin with the intent of passing it off as another of greater value. Such as smashing a nickel to use in a vending machine as a quarter.
18 USC Sec. 475 Is a statute that makes it illegal to create items such as business cards/placards, ads, etc. in the likeness of US securities. It also makes it illegal to attach such items to US securites or coins or other instruments.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Elongated Cents or ECs are a nifty numismatic souvenirs and cheap too as most are 51 cents(Vegas always gets ya for extra  ). I actually get these when I go places that have machines, here is a site that lists locations- http://www.pennycollector.com/AreaList.aspx |
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
1361 Posts |
I like collecting these elongates cents. But, I think these machines should have some warnings on it. Like "use only coins from this date to this date" (that way common dates cents can someday be scarce for most have been crushed), or maybe just outright reject copper coins or something like that. To avoid crushing coins that are valuable or rare.
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Valued Member
United States
284 Posts |
Making an elongated coin is the equivalent of destroying money and destroying money is not illegal. I can't quote law like jedichef (what a stud!) but I do remember reading about it. It has something to do with destruction of money being a form of free speech. There's nothing illegal about destroying wealth, pennies included.
-- Boris
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
Quote:The United States Codes under Title 18, Chapter 17, and Section 331, "prohibits the mutilation, diminution and falsification of United States coinage." However, it has been the opinion of some individual officers at the Treasury Department, though without any indication of approval, the foregoing statute does not prohibit the mutiliation of coins if done without fraudulent intent or if the mutilated coins are not used fraudulently. HAHA they misspelled "mutilation" |
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Valued Member
United States
406 Posts |
I enjoy them and did a Wheat cent last time I was at Bass Pro Shops. The wheats on the back came out real distorted. Disney has a ton of them all over the parks. I collected these before I began collecting coins. BD |
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Valued Member
United States
277 Posts |
Buy your wife some copper slugs to use so she doesn't destroy pennies.
Fatcat
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Pillar of the Community
United States
773 Posts |
I have acquired several of these over the years, I keep them for my son who seems to love looking at there neat oval shape. I don't think I would pay a buck fifty for one though, but I did spend a dollar for an elongated dime that has Roosevelts face still printed on it through the smashing. I just added them to my token album.
sn31.
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
I enjoy them. I even have special 2X2s for them.  Made some at the wharf in Frisco a few weeks back. I use to only use Canadian penny, it was my observation that I got a better impression. Beauty is in the eye of the coinholder.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
507 Posts |
"The Elongated Collectors" club has a forum of their own.
I'd just like to add that (I've heard) copper cents are the ones you want to flatten. Zincolns leave streaks. Most people don't know this, and they pick the shiniest penny in their pocket, which is probably zinc.
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Valued Member
 United States
294 Posts |
WOW .I'm shocked  to see that there are so many collectors that are OK with using coins for tokens /souvenirs .Thinking about turning this into a poll question .PRO or con elongated coins ? Seeking:Opinion Rainman  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
I'm PRO. I don't see a problem with it. Don't get me wrong, I cringe at the idea of some tourist blindly reaching into their pocket to pull out some random penny, but I'd let my kid make a penny souvenir if she wanted one...after reviewing said penny of course!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:The United States Codes under Title 18, Chapter 17, and Section 331, "prohibits the mutilation, diminution and falsification of United States coinage." That is NOT a quote from the statute. Section 331 clearly indicates that it is only illegal if done with the intent to defraud Here is Sec 331 Quote:
Whoever fraudulently alters, defaces, mutilates, impairs, diminishes, falsifies, scales, or lightens any of the coins coined at the mints of the United States, or any foreign coins which are by law made current or are in actual use or circulation as money within the United States; or
Whoever fraudulently possesses, passes, utters, publishes, or sells, or attempts to pass, utter, publish, or sell, or brings into the United States, any such coin, knowing the same to be altered, defaced, mutilated, impaired, diminished, falsified, scaled, or lightened—
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
Took my 6-month old daughter to disneylad yesterday. And just for fun, got smashed penny. Used a copper piece, '69 I think. And yeah, I think they do turn out nicer than the zincs.
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Posted 01/29/2009 9:27 pm
