Cool mason penny someone in my metal detecting forum found

Okay - quick question. Is it true or urban legend that the penny is the only US coin/currency that is legal to deface? You grow up with these thoughts and it takes something like this to make you question it. (Just like we were told as kids - eons ago - that killing a bat or praying mantis was illegal)

 

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nonsense, as posted in this thead, who's right/wrong, took away all value of the original post.

 

I find it a bit amusing that you belittle me for categorizing altered and counter stamped coins as numismatic items because I say so (which I didnt do) when almost everything you assert is just that...an opinion, subjective, and diverges from the actual definition of the terms we are using. Those being numismatic (worth) and numismatist.

The example you give regarding the hammering...most people can understand the difference between beating on coin with a hammer and a countermark or recarving...they are not the same..

Interestingly you state OLD hobo nickels and counter stamps DO have numismatic worth while new ones do not...this seems to me to be a completely subjective opinion. Why would a carved coin from 70 years ago or even from 70 BC have worth but not a carved coin from two years ago? save for the fact that you deem it to be so?

If you wish change the definition of numismatics, thats fine, but the ACTUAL definition is the collecting and/or study of coins, notes and medals. If you collect and/or study coins...you are a numismatist.

numismatics:
the study or collection of coins, tokens, and paper money and sometimes related objects (as medals)

Now you may have a differnt definition of the term, but that would be completely subjective. How could YOU (a person who spends so much time and effort) be the same as that guy who just likes to collect shiny bits of metal with pretty designs on them? well...you are the same. Some just take it to a higher level and the plain fact of the matter is...almost all numismatists are either collectors or were. Collecting coins leads to the study of them.

Anyway...sorry if I helped derail the thread...this will be the last from me on this, we are all entitled to our opinions.