Maybe he's just squishing them, like those souvenir penny machines?
Actually, this got me curious and a little digging turned up this:
As you are already aware, a federal statute in the criminal code of the United States (18 U.S.C. 331), indeed makes it illegal if one "fraudulently alters, defaces, mutilates, impairs, diminishes, falsifies, scales or lightens" any U.S. coin. However, being a criminal statute, a fraudulent intent is required for violation. Thus, the mere act of compressing coins into souvenirs is not illegal, without other factors being present.
Section 475, which you refer to in your letter, regarding the attachment of notice or advertisement to legal tender, does not apply to your souvenirs in this case. Your are not impressing or attaching a business or professional card, notice or advertisement to a coin, your are simply making an impression on the coin.
We hope this information answers your question. If we can be of any further assistance, please contact us.
Sincerely,
Kenneth B. Gubin
Counsel to the Mint.
I actually did, on the vanity in the kids' bathroom, the same thing they did on the floor. And if they did theirs like I did my vanity, they didn't "alters, defaces, mutilates, impairs, diminishes, falsifies, scales or lightens" the pennies. They are encased, but not destroyed in any way. I suppose if I was really in a bind for a 12 pack I could dig out the $17 worth of pennies.
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