Is it illegal to throw away pennies?

Question

If it is, what's the punishment?

Answer 1

Throwing away pennies could be interpreted as defacing US currency which is illegal.

Answer 2

I don't know if it is illegal, but it would be extraordinarily hard to prosecute unless you are talking about several hundred dollars in pennies. If so, however, why wouldn't you take them to a bank to have them counted and recover the money in plain old bills, even if you had to pay a fee to have the pennies counted? (There are some banks that don't charge to use their counting machines, though.)

I don't understand why you or anyone would want to throw away pennies. At least give them to the Red Cross if you find them so onerous.

Answer 3

i agree with john b

Answer 4

techniclly it is illegal, and its also illegal to write on dollar bills.  It is all defacing money.  But you will never be charged with it.

Answer 5

No it is not illegal to throw away any type of currency.

Answer 6

Yeah probably.

Answer 7

Yes, technically it is defacing money, which is a crime.

However, I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted for it on such a small level.

If you save them, they eventually become dollars.  You will be surprised at how much change you have at the end of the month.  Put it all in a bowl on your dresser then take it to the bank at the end of the month.

Answer 8

you will never have any pennies and no value for money,,,,pennies turn into dollars sooner or later,,,,someday you will be looking for the pennies you threw away

Answer 9

yea i  think so if u cant throw away any money then u cant i mean what if u need it later on and I think it is a state law i mean if u really want to throw those pennies away then y wont you give it to a homeless or a poor person i'm sure they'll appreciate it