I'm Confused About Copper - Page 3 - Coin Community Forum

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MadMortician Valued Member United States 397 Posts	Posted 05/25/2012 01:34 am Quote: "so is it illegal to put a penny in one of those machines that flatten it out and put a design on it?" I had actually never thought of that. Because the law I think reads that it is illegal to intentionally disfigure money to the point where it can no longer be used... and I think it would not be able to be spent at that point? Maybe I am wrong, I am not a lawyer (much t my parents disappointment, LOL). Report this Post to the Staff
stampvirgin Pillar of the Community United States 1247 Posts	Posted 05/25/2012 08:06 am I ask because I find these machines in all the tourist attractions.. you pay a quarter, put a Pennie in then crank the slot and it flattens out the penny and puts some design on it. Report this Post to the Staff
wquinn Pillar of the Community United States 2295 Posts	Posted 05/25/2012 08:28 am It is not illegal to create the elongated cents. There is even a national club on it. Report this Post to the Staff
Conder101 Bedrock of the Community United States 17884 Posts	Posted 05/25/2012 10:13 am Quote: Because the law I think reads that it is illegal to intentionally disfigure money to the point where it can no longer be used No the law states that you can't mutilate the CURRENCY in such a way that it is unfit for reissue. And coins are NOT included in the definition of currency. The laws deliberately keep the laws dealing with coins separate from those dealing with currency. The only laws dealing with the mutilation of coinage make it a criminal offense only if the mutilation is done with the intent to defraud. No fraudulent intent, no offense. Edited by Conder101 05/25/2012 10:16 am Report this Post to the Staff
stampvirgin Pillar of the Community United States 1247 Posts	Posted 05/25/2012 10:26 am so how does that work with melting copper? Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 189053 Posts	Posted 05/25/2012 11:14 am Quote: so how does that work with melting copper? There is a specific and separate law preventing the melting of cents and nickels. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
MadMortician Valued Member United States 397 Posts	Posted 05/26/2012 11:48 am Quote: No the law states that you can't mutilate the CURRENCY in such a way that it is unfit for reissue. And coins are NOT included in the definition of currency. The laws deliberately keep the laws dealing with coins separate from those dealing with currency. The only laws dealing with the mutilation of coinage make it a criminal offense only if the mutilation is done with the intent to defraud. No fraudulent intent, no offense. Thanks for the info! =) I only have a vague understanding of the laws, and that is through 3rd hand accounts. Never had a chance to actually go look up the 'letter of the law', even though it is something that is an interest to me (like flag laws). Report this Post to the Staff
jdbooth Valued Member United States 236 Posts	Posted 05/29/2012 8:10 pm As far as not being able to tell what copper was melted down. I worked for a company that used a large quantity of copper for bus bars to power manufacturing equipment. We had an employee who was stealing scrap copper and was selling it to the local scrap yard. He got busted because the copper had a signature to its metallic composition. The cops picked the guy up at work and was arrested and fired for grand theft. I assume us cents would also have such a signature. Report this Post to the Staff
52Raymo Pillar of the Community United States 8517 Posts	Posted 05/29/2012 9:36 pm I have no doubt they do. Oregon coin geek.....* GO BEAVS ! ! ! * Report this Post to the Staff
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