Editing Coin (section)

=== Media of expression ===
{{See also|Hobo nickel|Elongated penny}}
Coins can be used as creative media of expression – from fine art sculpture to the penny machines that can be found in most amusement parks. In the [[Code of Federal Regulations]] (CFR) in the United States there are some regulations specific to nickels and pennies that are informative on this topic. 31 CFR §&nbsp;82.1 forbids unauthorized persons from exporting, melting, or treating any 5 or 1 cent coins.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/31/82.1 31 CFR §82.1], Legal Information Institute, accessed 22 July 2019.</ref>

This has been a particular problem with nickels and dimes (and with some comparable coins in other currencies) because of their relatively low face value and unstable commodity prices. For a while,{{when|date=July 2015}} the copper in US pennies was worth more than one cent, so people would hoard pennies and then melt them down for their metal value. It cost more than face value to manufacture pennies or nickels, so any widespread loss of the coins in circulation could be expensive for the [[US Treasury]]. This was more of a problem when coins were still made of precious metals like silver and gold, so strict laws against alteration make more sense historically.<ref>{{Cite web |title=18 U.S. Code § 331 - Mutilation, diminution, and falsification of coins |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/331 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=LII / Legal Information Institute |language=en}}</ref>

31 CFR §&nbsp;82.2(b) goes on to state that: "The prohibition contained in §&nbsp;82.1 against the treatment of 5-cent coins and one-cent coins shall not apply to the treatment of these coins for educational, amusement, novelty, jewelry, and similar purposes as long as the volumes treated and the nature of the treatment makes it clear that such treatment is not intended as a means by which to profit solely from the value of the metal content of the coins."<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/31/82.2 31 CFR 82.2(b)], Legal Information Institute, accessed 22 July 2019.</ref>