Just out of interest, I was told the other day that a Bro. has a new minted 2007 penny with a sq & c coming out of Lincolns mouth.
I have not seen it myself but maybe some one on that side of the pond could have a look.
I have read you get a penny with the square and compass stamped in York Rite as a keepsake.
Other ones I have heard of are stretched out pennies with the blue lodge symbol stamped on it.
I will look for some picture.
Thanks for that info. Is this coin legal tender to be used in stores?
WHOA! Guys, there is only ONE (1) genuine US Penny in circulation at this time. See:
http://usmint.gov/mint_programs/circulat...=CircPenny
You can buy a US Penny, with the S&C stamped into it, from some of the on-line masonic stores. You can also buy a stamping kit, and pound the S&C into your own coins. Once you alter a US coin, it is perfectly legal to circulate it. Like writing "Happy Birthday" on a $20 bill.
Trust me, there is NO US Penny being minted by the US Mint, Department of Treasury, with the S&C on it.
Thank you for the information
cemab4y wrote.
Trust me, there is NO US Penny being minted by the US Mint, Department of Treasury, with the S&C on it.
I thought this must be the case, thanks.
In the UK it is illegal to deface the coin of the realm.
Interesting. It is also illegal to "deface" US paper or coin money, to the point that it is no longer useable or recognizable. So, if you want to write "Happy Birthday" on paper money, or stamp the Masonic S&C on a penny, that is perfectly legal. Here is the precise law from the US Treasury department:
Defacement of Currency
Defacement of currency is a violation of Title 18, Section 333 of the United States Code. Under this provision, currency defacement is generally defined as follows: Whoever mutilates, cuts, disfigures, perforates, 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, Federal Reserve Bank, or Federal Reserve System, with intent to render such item(s) unfit to be reissued, shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
Defacement of currency in such a way that it is made unfit for circulation comes under the jurisdiction of the United States Secret Service.
Here in the states I notice a where's george stamp on bills...
