Obama quarters in circulation

[Uben]

I just saw on NBC news here in Dallas that there are some gold plated quarters with Obama painted over Washington's head in circulation. They are being used as legal tender, and the treasury says that's okay as long as they aren't trying to cheat someone (I suppose that means passing them for a higher value). That's cool! I wish I could get my hands on some. They'll never be worth anything as collectible coins because they are considered souveneirs once defaced.

edit:They weren't put out by the treasury. Someone plated and painted them and obviously had them left over from some promotion and so they just deposited the rest in the bank.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Defacing US currency is legal?

Since when?

[Pab Sungenis]

2. It's legal

as long as it's not to deceive. If you don't represent something as being more valuable because of the defacing, then it's fine.

It's a long tradition going back to the hobo nickels of the 1920's and the love tokens of the 19th century.

[Uben]

3. Dunno

These coins were originally Washington quarters that were plated and painted, so the original quarter is still there......just altered. The one's saying the quarters are defaced are the collectors, not the treasury dept. I think they said that in reference to their collectibility.