Is it legal to make rings out of coins - brilliant
Know The Laws For Canadian Coins Altered For Jewelry?
Replies: 9 / Views: 20,380
Hi,
I've been googling to try and find out the laws and rules about Canadian coins used and/or altered for jewelry.
I imagine some use is ok because I always see coin rings, plus my ex was a goldsmith and made a lot of custom design ordered special coins rings set in precious metal for some customers. He didn't ever alter or change the coins surfaces at all, just bezel set them in designs he hand carved and cast.
I thought there was a law against altering and using Canadian coins, but the coin rings openly made and sold say different, so I'm confused about just what the rules are here. Does anyone know whats ok and whats not regarding use of coins for uses other than currency?
Thanks
I've been googling to try and find out the laws and rules about Canadian coins used and/or altered for jewelry.
I imagine some use is ok because I always see coin rings, plus my ex was a goldsmith and made a lot of custom design ordered special coins rings set in precious metal for some customers. He didn't ever alter or change the coins surfaces at all, just bezel set them in designs he hand carved and cast.
I thought there was a law against altering and using Canadian coins, but the coin rings openly made and sold say different, so I'm confused about just what the rules are here. Does anyone know whats ok and whats not regarding use of coins for uses other than currency?
Thanks
The RCM does it... Not sure about Canadian Laws, but in the US:
Sec. 333. Mutilation of national bank obligations
-STATUTE-
Whoever mutilates, cuts, defaces, disfigures, or perforates, or
unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank
bill, draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national
banking association, or Federal Reserve bank, or the Federal
Reserve System, with intent to render such bank bill, draft, note,
or other evidence of debt unfit to be reissued, shall be fined
under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
That US Law is about paper money. As far as I can tell, American laws are much more liberal in this regard than laws in most other countries. There's provision for a blanket ban on melting a denomination for profit, currently in force for 1c and 5c coins. I believe there's also some kind of law preventing people attaching advertising stickers to coins, as was briefly fashionable a few decades ago. But apart from that, US coins are fair game.
In Canada, things are different because, like here in Australia, you're a monarchy; by ancient tradition the coinage is technically Crown property. Section 11(1) of the Canadian Currency Act currently reads:
Anyone in Canada that's making rings out of, turning into jewellery, or using "otherwise than as currency" any Canadian coin is technically breaking the law. The penalty if they catch you:
It wasn't that long ago that defacing a coin was considered treason. So be thankful they don't hang you for it.
In Canada, things are different because, like here in Australia, you're a monarchy; by ancient tradition the coinage is technically Crown property. Section 11(1) of the Canadian Currency Act currently reads:
Quote:
11.(1) No person shall, except in accordance with a licence granted by the Minister, melt down, break up or use otherwise than as currency any coin that is current and legal tender in Canada.
11.(1) No person shall, except in accordance with a licence granted by the Minister, melt down, break up or use otherwise than as currency any coin that is current and legal tender in Canada.
Anyone in Canada that's making rings out of, turning into jewellery, or using "otherwise than as currency" any Canadian coin is technically breaking the law. The penalty if they catch you:
Quote:
...a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, and, in addition to any fine or imprisonment imposed, the court may order that the articles by means of or in relation to which the offence was committed be forfeited to Her Majesty.
...a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, and, in addition to any fine or imprisonment imposed, the court may order that the articles by means of or in relation to which the offence was committed be forfeited to Her Majesty.
It wasn't that long ago that defacing a coin was considered treason. So be thankful they don't hang you for it.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
Replies: 9 / Views: 20,380
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