Lincoln Cent Literally Struck Through

They sent a huge cross made of the punched out remnants, set on a base in the shape of the state of Texas to George W Bush (43), it's pictured on their site.

 

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To many people it is almost worthless. There have been tons of threads here advocating getting rid of the cent because of it's lack of value. Many coin collectors seem to think that's a good idea.

 

It would make cash purchases easier for shop owners, cashiers, and customers and these are probably the 'many people' advocates for
demonetizing the cent. Yet there's still a debate amongst economists and there is still practical use for the cent despite the 'burden' that some people make of them. The New Yorker had a column about a year ago revisiting the debate, it's online here for those interested: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/03/31/080331fa_fact_owen?currentPage=all

 

Good point. I could've sworn there was a federal law against defacing coins and currency. I could be wrong.

 

I'm aware of both points of view. My point was that there are many people (including many coin collectors) who feel the cent has outlived it's usefulness. It wouldn't be hard to round all purchases to five cents for shop owners, cashiers, and so fourth. I honestly don't know if it's a good idea or not...I personally don't care. But, nevertheless, there is a large population who views the cent as useless. That was all I was trying to say.

There is a federal law against defacing currency for advertisement or to make a profit. I'm not sure if anything else is illegal though.

 

This was presented earlier in the thread:

"In general altering US coins and currency to the extent that they must be removed from circulation remains a federal offense. Per http://www.usmint.gov/consumer/18USC331.cfm?flash=no"

 

As I stated earlier in the thread:
In general altering US coins and currency to the extent that they must be removed from circulation remains a federal offense. Per http://www.usmint.gov/consumer/18USC331.cfm?flash=no

 

My response was to your ridiculing the web site. All I have said is that their statement the cent has become almost worthless and that their stamping can add value to someone is a valid point. The cent is basically worthless...what can you buy for a cent? Nothing. Would a symbol like this mean something to someone...yes, it probably would. It might not to you or I, but to someone it would. You're comment of "LOL" to their statement that "The penny is the least of our coins in America and to many people, it is almost worthless. Though some find it hard to believe that something with such a small monetary value can mean so much just by stamping a cross into it" was both rude and insensitive. That was my "2 cents" to this discussion.

Personally, I think it would be kind of a neat find in my change to find one of these. I tend to like finding various unique stampings on coins and I hang on to them as "fun finds." As for the government discontinuing the cent or not...that's what I don't care about. If it was up to me, I would get rid of it because it is worthless...retailers would adapt. But, in the end...I really don't care (same goes for the half dollar).

 

Hey there, now I was NOT ridiculing anyone, and I already stated as much earlier as I pointed out the short sightedness of their statement about who and what people think of the cent, that's all. You interpreted the LOL the way you wanted. Wasn't being rude, insensitive, passing judgement nor ridiculing anyone. You are making up the ridicule and an issue out of one that does not exist.

I would also collect one of those crux coins if I came across one, though I wouldn't order one. They are mere novelty to me. I have other such coins and medals that I have found and set aside.

And it just seems off to hear anyone say "if it were up to me" (when it really is as a citizen with the ability to address the situation via elected officials), yet you punctuate statements by saying "you don't care". It's not really a matter of indifference, especially when giving your stance on the issue otherwise, say nothing.

Thanks for talking about it with me.

 

Well, typically when someone says something that is intended to be serious (as their statement was) and someone "laughs out loud" (LOL) at it...it isn't the nicest thing in the world to do.

Why does it matter if I don't care. I think the cent is useless these days...but I also know that people fear change (no pun intended). It's the same thing with the dollar coin. It would be much better if we used it and got rid of the bill...but people don't like new things. That's why it won't be changed. Like I said, I would get rid of both the cent and the half dollar if it was up to me...but it's not that big of an issue. We have much bigger things to worry about, so I really don't care about it. You seem to think that it's bad that I don't care about this issue...but in truth what I care about are issues that are much more relevant and don't feel the need to waste my time on this one.

 

Thanks for the reply. I totally respect your point of view and opinion on this topic and I L-O-V-E your pun on 'change' too!

 

I was pretty proud of that.

 

No, you can deface or destroy the coinage all you want as long as you don't do it with fraudulent intent. Currency is another matter though. Altering it or defacing it so that it is unfit to be reissued IS a crime whether there is any fraudulent intent or not.

The Mint had better re-read the law. It does not say what they are claiming it says. The law is specific, fraudulent intent must be present, not just an "in general" attitude, it does not say anything about simply making it so it has to be removed from circulation, and the law they quote only refers to coins not currency. Mutilation of currency is covered under a different section.

 

Interesting post If I was a government official I would say this cent is not fit for reissue. I have no issue with the symbol but I do not feel it is appropriate to remove a large portion of a coin and then allow the coin to go back into circulation. It sets a bad president - how soon before others are punching holes in coins to deliver a message? Also makes me wonder how the mint could get the law mis-quoted??? I would think something like this would have had to go through a legal review prior to publishing on the site...

 

I agree. However, the law doesn't say anything about not being fit for reissue about coins. Condor is right. That only applies to paper currency.

 

I have 2 or 3 of those I got from the changer at work. Just thought it was different.

 

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with my luck I'll get one of the 2000's and it'll be a wide AM......:headbang: