Penny Bug Idea

[+Z3ROIN]

Hi all,

 

idea for a travel bug: a chain that starts off with a penny attached to it via a hole drilled in it, the bug travel from country to country picking up the smallest denominator from each, would be a very interesting bug to pick up, imagine seeing all the pennies from different countries. However...... what's the law if any re drilling holes in money?!! I guess this differs from country to country but do any of you think this bug will be attracting criticism due to the drilling a hole in the money aspect?

 

I've done some googling on this and i don't think it's the crime of the century in England, but i think it's illegal to deface money, but these are only pennies.

 

thanks for your views.....

Edited January 14, 2012 by Z3ROIN

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Not a bad idea, really. Perhaps though, you should not limit it to legal tender. In some locations it may well be considered as a crime against the state, more-so than in other locales.. So... how about allowing ANY type of coin. There are lots out there -- casino slot coins, memorial coins, bus "tokens", etc., etc.

 

If it travels well and lives long, expect it to become awfully heavy. You will need an extraordinarily strong link mechanism to allow opening for placing a coin thereon (do not rely on that beaded chain). A very large split-ring should do well.

 

Also, because of the weight and "messy-ness" of metal coins, do not rely on a baggie encasing the traveler. Attach a double laminated mission statement right to the split-ring (so that one does not have to go on-line to see it's purpose). Punch a hole in the corner of it after laminating, insert a grommet and you are good to go.

 

You should also expect some of the coins to... well... disappear, occasionally. It may serve better to allow people to remove a coin or two if necessary -- in a trade-type suggestion.

 

Good luck and grand travels.

 

EDIT: spelling/context.

Edited January 14, 2012 by Gitchee-Gummee

[+ngrrfan]

I've done some googling on this and i don't think it's the crime of the century in England, but i think it's illegal to deface money, but these are only pennies.

In the USA it is a federal offense to deface a coin like you are suggesting.

[+shantz_uk_&_cleverclogs]

Hi all,

 

idea for a travel bug: a chain that starts off with a penny attached to it via a hole drilled in it, the bug travel from country to country picking up the smallest denominator from each, would be a very interesting bug to pick up, imagine seeing all the pennies from different countries. However...... what's the law if any re drilling holes in money?!! I guess this differs from country to country but do any of you think this bug will be attracting criticism due to the drilling a hole in the money aspect?

 

I've done some googling on this and i don't think it's the crime of the century in England, but i think it's illegal to deface money, but these are only pennies.

 

thanks for your views.....

I have had a TB out there collecting coins for a little while and as yet Interpol hasnt come knocking on my door take a look here Coin Collector TB

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

I've done some googling on this and i don't think it's the crime of the century in England, but i think it's illegal to deface money, but these are only pennies.

In the USA it is a federal offense to deface a coin like you are suggesting.

Likewise to provide the means with which to accomplish it... now just what are all of the "make a Lincoln into a memento" presses about?

 

Kidding, of course, ngrrfan is correct, but there are priorities, ya know... Some countries are much more adamant about such enforcement.

[+Z3ROIN]

now just what are all of the "make a Lincoln into a memento" presses about?

 

Good point! I've seen these machines in several places in England.

[+Ed_M]

Those presses (when I've seen them) now sport signs that state something to the effect of the fact that it is -not- illegal to deface US currency -- as long as you don't do it with the intent to fraudulently pass it off as currency after the fact.

 

§ 331. MUTILATION, DIMINUTION, AND FALSIFICATION OF COINS

 

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.

 

I'd think the key is fraudulently. As long as you don't try to pass it off as a dime later, drill that penny.

 

(Of course, in other countries, YMMV.)