Ok I have over $100 worth of damaged coins found while metal detecting. Those hit by lawnmowers, intentionally damaged or changed and of course the “ stinking’ Lincoln’s “ with their propensity to pit and deteriorate. So what can be done with them ( besides lining the driveway with them) with regards to cashing them with the Federal Reserve? I’ve been told the FE will only give scrap value for them and I’ve been told they will exchange for equal value, like they do for damaged paper currency. I’ve looked at their web site and it doesn’t help a bit. Anybody know?
I don't know. I've personally found only one use for that stuff that's too damaged to roll up or put in the CoinStar machine: Of course it's not cost-effective to send the stuff in if you've just got small quantities, as has usually been the case with my own detecting finds, but since you say you have $100+ ... maybe. Unfortunately I don't know the answer to your question about where and how to redeem them, of if in fact you really can.
Your local bank should take them as long as they can be recognized. Otherwise hammer the bent ones flat and roll them.
Go to a craft store and buy some clear resin, then make a paper weight out of them. Useful and a fun reminder
The US Mint has a program for redeeming damaged/mutilated coins. They had to suspend it for a couple years because the Chinese counterfeiters were abusing the program by making fake half dollars, mutilating them and then getting the Mint to redeem them for face value. But the program was reinstated last year. Here is where you go to get information about the rules and how to go about redeeming the coins. https://www.usmint.gov/news/consumer-alerts/mutilated-coin-program 4 posts to go
not sure that the program is active at this time-only see that it was halted. Would have to call mint to verify. Also need 1 lb minimum per denomination to be accepted. That's a lot of toasted dimes lol