Who owns the physical money in a democratic country?

Question

Physical money as in cash and coins. It's just a representation of what is worth for barter. Is it considered government property?

Answer 1

It is against the law to fraudulently deface money or meltdown coins for profit, so the government is claiming some  control over it. It is not yours  like your other possessions which you are free do do with what you want, but It is not theirs either because they can't take it from you.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/2006-12-14...