Is it illegal to make a coin into a ring?

jhuberdude

On a metal detecting forum I read, there were instructions on how to make a ring from a half dollar. It is very cool and leaves the date and other legends inside the ring.
My question is after reading this page from another post here Click me I was wondering what the deal is.
It mentions "fraudulently" altering or mutilating, but is a coin ring a fraudulent act???

Here is the link to the page on how to make one. Coin Ring

Here is the link to the 2 I made. My rings

XpipedreamR

Pretty neat stuff.

I'd say turn yourself in now, and maybe they'll go easy on you.

Wolfy00002

No, when they say "fraudulantly altering or manipulating" they mean with the intention of passing it as an original. I.e. counterfieting.

MrEureka

It's not illegal. At least I hope not, I once put an 1807 quarter eagle in a ring and wore it for a year or two. I'd hate to do time for something like that.

Coinosaurus

That is very cool. Thanks for sharing. If you sent it in to the Numismatist with photos I think they would print it and pay you $100 or so for the article!

Boom

Woolfy00002 is right on the money. No it is not illegal to create coin jewelery.

1946Hamm

Not a new thing. In basic training in 1966, we made rings out of half dollars by tapping on the edges with mess hall spoons. Takes a long time but not that hard to do. I lost mine many years ago but still see similar ones from time to time.

nwcs

Actually, that is pretty cool.

trozau

Way cool! Thanks for sharing. Ever done any gold?

BillJones

It's legal to mutilate coins so long as you don't try to then pass them as legal tender.

dorkkarl

not illegal. ever seen the famous spoon made out of a chain cent?

K S

SportsModerator

With this thread now on the board, why am I hearing in the back of my head, the tapping of spoons from coast to coast?

I've got this 84 $10 Olympic proof with a few hairlines, sounds like the ideal candidate to me!

jhuberdude

Coinosaurus
Tell me who to contact and I will see if they are interested in an article.

I have made 2 rings so far, one from a Half and one from a Quarter. I would love to try with a gold ring, but don't have any I would be willing to use.

Thanks, John

mgoodm3

Kinda cool. Never seen that before.

Agflyer

I thought this was such a neat thing to do. I don't have a pocket piece, but now I can proudly wear a 1963-d Washington! Thanks for the idea and for the great links. Oh yea by the way, welcome to the forums . My pic isn't the best, but it gets the point across.