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Are large cents legal tender today?

BBNBBN Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Say if I was insane enough to try to use one to pay for something can or does it have to be accepted as normal money?

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Comments

  • flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Say if I was insane enough to try to use one to pay for something can or does it have to be accepted as normal money? >>

    Well, that's really two questions: Are large cents legal tender? Yes, but only since the Coinage Act of 1965. Does it have to be accepted as normal money? No -- a merchant can choose to accept whatever they like.
  • krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    I believe every US coin ever made is still legal tender with the exception of the Trade Dollar.

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

  • LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭
    Russel has spent some 2 cent pieces before....
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  • nwcsnwcs Posts: 13,386 ✭✭✭
    Trade dollar is legal tender now as well. Yes, you can try to spend it but that doesn't mean the merchant will accept it. Although I suspect most would have no problem because they'd recognize it's unusual.
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  • dimplesdimples Posts: 1,286 ✭✭✭
    It would be tough to fit in the gumball machine though.image
  • BBNBBN Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭
    image

    I agree that I don't see to many cashiers refusing it. If anything just keep quiet and exchange it for a real penny later. My brother once got a 1928 $20 gold certificate while working at a filling station about 25 years ago.

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    #2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
    #8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
  • astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Trade dollar is legal tender now as well. Yes, you can try to spend it but that doesn't mean the merchant will accept it. Although I suspect most would have no problem because they'd recognize it's unusual. >>



    Are you sure about this? When were they remonitized?

    Lane
    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,897 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I never heard about the Trade dollar being remonetized. I thought that was the only demonetized US coin.

    Large cents only officially became legal tender in my birthyear, as flaminio mentioned. Kind of funny, huh?

    PS- if you have some large cents you wanna spend, you're more than welcome to spend 'em here. I won't give you any hassles, I swear. image

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • TUMUSSTUMUSS Posts: 2,207 ✭


    << <i>I never heard about the Trade dollar being remonetized. I thought that was the only demonetized US coin.

    Large cents only officially became legal tender in my birthyear, as flaminio mentioned. Kind of funny, huh?

    PS- if you have some large cents you wanna spend, you're more than welcome to spend 'em here. I won't give you any hassles, I swear. image >>



    THAT was a GREAT birthyear!!! I believe the best came from that year!!
  • dimplesdimples Posts: 1,286 ✭✭✭
    Why Lord you don't look that old from your picture!image
  • LanLordLanLord Posts: 11,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, I'll credit you 3 to one on them if you'll spend them on anything I have for sale.
  • LanLordLanLord Posts: 11,724 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Russel has spent some 2 cent pieces before.... >>



    What value did he get for them? Was the merchant at all suprised that they existed?
  • razorface1027razorface1027 Posts: 4,242 ✭✭
    Although I suspect most would have no problem because they'd recognize it's unusual

    It's especially UNUSUAL when I walk into a Wawa convenient store and see Frankies or 64 silver Kennedys on the far left of the till in the cash register and no one has the common sense to exchange them understanding that they're worth something more than face value. It's usually a youngster that totally disregards it and throws it into the empty till in the cash register. Even if you're/they're not up to par with numismatics, something must tell them that something amidst the cash exchange with a buying customer is unusual. I dunno, it baffles me.image
    What is money, in reality, but dirty pieces of paper and metal upon which privilege is stamped?
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i><< Russel has spent some 2 cent pieces before.... >>

    What value did he get for them? Was the merchant at all suprised that they existed? >>



    I got several different reactions ranging from "cool, this thing is old", to "is this a foreign coin?", to the cashier immediately buying it from the till. I actually didn't run in to anyone who refused to accept one. BTW, in this somewhat unscientific experiment, the results indicate that grocery store clerks are of higher intelligence than fast food employees. image

    Russ, NCNE
    eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC
  • JadeRareCoinJadeRareCoin Posts: 2,768 ✭
    BTW, in this somewhat unscientific experiment, the results indicate that grocery store clerks are of higher intelligence than fast food employees.

    That may be true: I had a helluva time trying to spend a Sacagawea dollar at Burger King last year. The kid was looking at me like I had two heads. Had to get the manager over to read the "one dollar" and "United States of America" to him. Okay, I admit it, that was fun to do.
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  • GoYankeesGoYankees Posts: 1,025 ✭
    This remimds me of...

    A long time ago, while watching an old episode from the Beverly Hillbillies, Mr. Drysdale showed Jed Clampett a 1894-S dime. When told that its value is worth $100,000, Jed replied, "Well doggie! You mean if I put that dime in a gumball machine, I'll get me $100,000 worth of gumballs?"



    BTW ...

    BBN, Is that a picture of Slingin' Sammy Baugh in your sig?

    It's way before my time, but I like sports history.
    Ex-modern Collector.

    Photos of the 2006 Boston Massacre
  • nwcsnwcs Posts: 13,386 ✭✭✭
    The coinage act of 1965 remonetized the trade dollar. Our own TDN has said so. image
    Blog and Pics
  • LAWMANLAWMAN Posts: 1,274 ✭✭
    Are Silver, Gold and Platinum Eagles legal tender too? Is a bullion coin legal tender for anyone crazy enough to spend one?
    DSW
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Is a bullion coin legal tender for anyone crazy enough to spend one? >>



    Yes.

    Russ, NCNE
    eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC
  • flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Are Silver, Gold and Platinum Eagles legal tender too? Is a bullion coin legal tender for anyone crazy enough to spend one? >>

    Yes, absolutely they are legal tender. I've even spent a Silver Eagle -- got a cup o' coffee for it image.
  • BBNBBN Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭


    << <i>
    BBN, Is that a picture of Slingin' Sammy Baugh in your sig?

    It's way before my time, but I like sports history. >>



    It sure is!. Just turned 90 this past March and still signs autographs!

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    #1 1951 Bowman Los Angeles Rams Team Set
    #2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
    #8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
  • Conder101Conder101 Posts: 10,536 ✭


    << <i>Large cents only officially became legal tender in my birthyear, >>


    You were born in 1864? That was when the one cent piece was made legal tender. The HALF cent was never legal tender until 1965 though.
  • Purple73Purple73 Posts: 2,016 ✭
    << << Russel has spent some 2 cent pieces before.... >>

    What value did he get for them? Was the merchant at all suprised that they existed? >>



    I got several different reactions ranging from "cool, this thing is old", to "is this a foreign coin?", to the cashier immediately buying it from the till. I actually didn't run in to anyone who refused to accept one. BTW, in this somewhat unscientific experiment, the results indicate that grocery store clerks are of higher intelligence than fast food employees.




    HAHAHAAHHAHHAHAHA now that is funny!


    PURPLE!
    Founder of The Circle of Crust™
    imageimage
  • GeminiGemini Posts: 3,085 ✭
    Conder is right on this and before large cents were considered legal tender a merchant could refuse payment of large amounts of cents in trade.
    I am not sure but I think I remember reading the accepted limit was around 30 cents?
    A thing of beauty is a joy for ever
  • BBNBBN Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭
    What if someone bough an item that was $5.06. Could someone legally pay with a $5 (ofcourse) a nickel (of course, but here's the kicker) and two half cent pieces? This is interseting. image Maybe I need to find two inexpensive half cent pieces and try this.

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    #1 1951 Bowman Los Angeles Rams Team Set
    #2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
    #8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
  • BBNBBN Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭
    Here's another way of confusing the clerk (albeit insane). Pay with a $2 bill, three Ikes a half dime and two half cents. image

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    #1 1951 Bowman Los Angeles Rams Team Set
    #2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
    #8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
  • flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭


    << <i>What if someone bough an item that was $5.06. Could someone legally pay with a $5 (ofcourse) a nickel (of course, but here's the kicker) and two half cent pieces? This is interseting. image Maybe I need to find two inexpensive half cent pieces and try this. >>

    Why not get real funky and pay with a $3 gold, two $1 golds, a 3 cent piece, a 2 cent piece, and two half cents? It'd be expensive, and the merchant might refuse, but it'd be an entirely legal form of payment.
  • BBNBBN Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭
    That would be REAL interesting and confusing, but a store clerk would be insane to turn that down! image

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    #1 1951 Bowman Los Angeles Rams Team Set
    #2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
    #8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
  • goldrush00013goldrush00013 Posts: 2,478 ✭
    I've even spent a Silver Eagle -- got a cup o' coffee for it image. >>









    Can I sell you a pot of coffee?
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