The Liberty Coins makers got in trouble for good reason, but what about all these sites (like one of the biggest jokes of them all- QVC) that are taking say the Presidential Dollar coin, and putting Obama's pic on it? I was listening to Laura Ingraham and she asked is that even legal?
It's your coin you can do what you want as long as you don't alter the coin in an effort to commit fraud. Ice
If the intention is not to defraud, then yes. And, if I understand correctly, the "intent to defraud" is limited to trying to pass counterfeits as the real thing or pass a coin as a denomination that it is not - racketeer nickels come to mind.
Of course I'm staying away, Anything that QVC or similar stations like QVC I stay FAR AWAY from them lol. Just like when they were selling the State Quarters that were colorized, or gold plated. Basically question would be if someone that had bought these coins decided that they didnt want them and say went to Albertsons or some other retail business could that person get in trouble for trying to spend it? I'm thinking these are almost just like the Liberty Dollars IMO (A Joke)
I thought that the treasury decided that the silver surfer quarters were illegal. What's the difference ?
Not being an expert on the matter, I don't think its illegal to alter or deface currency unless you attempt to spend it, passing it as legal tender
I believe the silver surfer Quarters were deemed illegal because they were using coins to advertise a product. Richard
The difference is that it is illegal to place a commercial ADVERTISEMENT on the coin or currency of the US and then use it in commerce. The Obama stickers are not advertising a commercial product. The specific statute is (bold emphasis is mine.) US code Title 18 Part 1 Chapter 25 Sec 475 § 475. Imitating obligations or securities; advertisements Whoever designs, engraves, prints, makes, or executes, or utters, issues, distributes, circulates, or uses any business or professional card, notice, placard, circular, handbill, or advertisement in the likeness or similitude of any obligation or security of the United States issued under or authorized by any Act of Congress or writes, prints, or otherwise impresses upon or attaches to any such instrument, obligation, or security, or any coin of the United States, any business or professional card, notice, or advertisement, or any notice or advertisement whatever, shall be fined under this title. Nothing in this section applies to evidence of postage payment approved by the United States Postal Service.
I've seen machines in public that take a penny (cent for those sensitive) and press it into an oval. I've heard of complete sets of pennies with all sorts of STUFF stamped on them and sold for displays. Many organizations place there motos on coins. People throw coins in wishing wells, ponds, fountains placed there for just that reason. Coins are placed on RR tracks by almost all kids if there is a RR track near. Coins have holes drilled in them for bracelets, necklesses, etc. Coins are melted, stamped, drilled, thrown, treated with chemicals and almost anything else possible on Earth. I suspect any laws concerning the above is just not enforced. So what is the sentense for a 10 year old placing a coin on a RR track anyway.
Well Carl, there aren't any laws making those actions illegal so there are no laws to have to enforce.
