The new off-center facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the 2006 nickel is an ideal canvas for counterstamping. The space to the right of his face is perfect for a nicely sized and placed word balloon. Finally, after years of silence Jefferson speaks out! Here is a photo of one that has recently been seen in circulation. There are others. You might want to keep an eye on your change.
I agree, I know Thomas Jefferson would say support are troops and support freedom for all mankind. BRUCE.
Tom,isn't it actually illegal to do that,as that constitutes defacement of the coinage? I know that is definitely the case over here in New Zealand. Aidan.
That's one of the differences in countries - in this country it is not, unless it is done with the intent to defraud.
US law concerning coinage: “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.”
Of course that would make the "hobo" nickels and the "Kennedy looks at Lincoln" pennies illegal. I am awaiting the massive arrests which will surely follow. Give the Secret Service a break from chasing 1933 double eagles.
There is clearly no intent to defraud. First: "any such coin, knowing the same to be altered, defaced, mutilated, impaired, diminished, falsified, scaled, or lightened" referrs to passing coins that had precious metals (gold or silver) removed for the purpose of cheating the receiver. Not the case here. Second: I believe the intent was to make it illegal to produce and pass counterfeit coins and currency. Also, the mutilate section was intended to outlaw the making of 'love tokens' that were so popular in the late 19th century that it was causing a coin shortage. Next, who would create a 'hobo' nickel with the intent to defraud? It is worth more as a creation than as face value. Lastly, the above Jefferson nickel would probably fall into the category of "freedom of speech". (Or I would hope so, unless the Homeland security reads this, and they probably do.)
No doubt it would, and Jefferson would have loved a little spirited debate. Politics aside (if that is what some people are judging on initially), consider that these are a true and welcome rarity - a modern counterstamp. What was once commonplace is now a dying/dead art. There is a small handful of people in the US who are actively counterstamping modern coinage with prepared stamps, and these nickels are works of art in their design and execution. I have personally corresponded with most if not all of the people who are actively counterstamping coins these days and I have obtained samples for my collection. These will be eagerly sought after by collectors of counterstamps, not just decades from now but in the present time as well. P.S. - The current counterstampers I can think of are: Jim Skalbe (coin dealer, uses obsolete US coins), Hellenbeck (coin dealer), Andy's Coins (coin dealer), www.smalldollars.com (website), me, and now the creator of the Speaking Jefferson. If anyone knows of any others, please share the details, as I am missing them from my collection.
Another one... Here's another counterstamp that appeared earlier in the year. This one has been reported in circulation in Northern Arizona, Southern Nevada, Northwest Arkansas, Massachusetts, Central and Northern Oregon, and Southern Michigan. This earlier design appears to have been superseded by the more recent one pictured above.
