Thread: Coin belt - a silly question

Given that most coins used in coin belts are rather expensive, and given that a heavy belt can be very desirable, has anyone ever thought about making a belt with... pocket change?

I was cruising the net looking for some nice copper coins and my gaze fell upon the shiny new pennies that were on the coffee table and I thought hmmm...

So, has anyone thought/did it? Any potential issues with drilling or whatever? Type of chain recommended?

(ANd btw, this would be only for my own use. I wouldn't risk being sued by the Queen for defacing the currency of my country for mercantile pursuits *g*)

Any input welcome. Thanks!

Kem.

I don't see why not. I've also seen some nice things done with washers (that's right, plumbing parts) from the hardware store, and you can get copper ones. Also brass ones.
R

I would imagine this would be extremely heavy.

Rosette: LOL Let's say I'm going for a copper belt of 300 coins, it would cost me a whopping 3$. I can afford some really nice chain and a generous tip to the machinist operatin gthe drill press. why not, indeed... (Hmmm... Washers... I'm gonna ponder that one. Lots of possibilities there)

Theesfield: I used a weighted belt to practice, which is 3 pounds. Pennies made between 1942 and 1996 were made out primarily of copper and weigh 2.5 to 3 grams. Even if I choose older (heavier) pennies, at 300 coins for the belt, I'm still under the 3 pounds that I'm used to. Mind you, if I go with more recent pennies, they'd be lighter as the content is either zinc or steel and the copper on them is plating. Might be more difficult to drill through, though... Steel is much harder than copper. Not sure steel vs zinc...

Anybody ever played with this bad boy? Metal Hole Punch Kit, Hand Held Power Punch

Yep, washers have already got holes, but if you've got a good way to get the drilling part accomplished, nothing could be cheaper than those pennies.
R

I make my own coin belts using foreign coins that I collect or buy in bulk. They do get heavy - 2-3 pounds but they are wonderful. I've even sold a couple to fellow dancers.

I'll try to post a picture later (don't have it on this computer).

I have a drill press and drill the coins myself. The real pain is in grinding them afterwards. The drilling process can leave sharp burrs that have to be filed off. It's time consuming but worth it.

Please do post the pics! (You don't happen to have a tutorial on this, do ya? *batting eyelashes*)

What type of chain do you use? I'm thinking copper plated steel might be sturdier than a copper alloy.

A few years ago I asked my sister in law to collect Mexican pesos for me to make a costume. She finally sent me about 30 coins! Okay, so that isn't going to cover much! Guess that isn't happening.

Are there any laws about defacing money?

Yes it is still illegal to deface money in Britain. I wouldn;t recommend it. What about using coins that have a hole in the middle anyway?

I'm actually intrigued by the idea of using hardware supplies. I may have a looksie around Home Depot.

Well, I thought about the defacing thing, but then again, some tourist shops have bracelets with pennies on them. I mean, it's not like I'm etching a mustache on the face of the Queen. And quite honestly, there will be more Canadian pride wearing those on my hips, than in my pockets along with the lint.

The thing is, it is only for my own use and I'm not performing in public. I don't think there should be a problem. Right? .w.:

Originally Posted by Surida

Okay, so that isn't going to cover much! .

Would make nice nipple covers... *ducking*

Originally Posted by kemintiri

Would make nice nipple covers... *ducking*

..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;, <Falls down laughing>

OMG! Maybe that's what she thought I would make,r:;.w.:

Overall I don't think it should be a problem. As you are not wholeselling them, it is doubtful that anyone will notice. I know in the US it is illegal, but I would have to double check because I 'believe' that it doesn't apply to pennies, only "silver" coins. It's a weird law designed to keep people from melting them down for their metal content.

Although, were it me, I might find a coin dealer who specialized in coins from regions where there is a high turn over in leadership and coinage. Could be fun!

{{{HUGS}}}

Ok, this was bugging me so here's the Canadian currency Act if you care.

Relevant sections are:

-Part 1, 7 (1) A coin is current for the amount of its denomination in the currency of Canada

-Part 1, 7 (2) No coin that is bent, mutilated or defaced, or that has been reduced in weight otherwise than by abrasion through ordinary use, shall pass current.

-Part 1, 11 (1) No person shall, except in accordance with a licence granted by the Minister, melt down, break up or use otherwise than as currency any coin that is current and legal tender in Canada.

-Part 1, 11 (2) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) or any condition attached to a licence referred to in that subsection is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both

cont'd...

Ok, so:

1- Yes, punching a hole in a coin is considered defacing currency.

2- But I'm not trying to use the "defaced" coins for legal tender

3-I'm not melting them for the metal content (this would majorly defeat my purpose)

4-I'm not trying to counterfeit the coins, nor trying to profit either from a single altered coin or from the sale of a completed belt or whatever else. It is only for me.

5- In the event that I'm "caught", I'd be out roughly half the cost of a Costless belt. (I doubt I'd go to prison since our jails are so full anyway.)

The thing is, there are no cases in Canadian recorded history of anyone being convicted or even being brought to trial for defacing money, not even the ppl putting "oily bird" decals on loonies (environmental group in BC, I think) or the ppl putting marks on their bills to track them online.

I suppose that the other part of this is: what the hell are they really doing with my taxes if they have a "Bellydance Belt Watch Police" x-raying random houses for potential use of defaced currency? .p::

In the U.S., as long as you don't try to use the defaced coins as money (such as trying to buy something with an elongated penny) it's legal. So, jewelry and adornments=okay. If your pennies are like ours, they're copper-clad zinc since 1982, and easy to drill (steel pennies were only produced during wartime, and are verrrry expensive now as rare collectors items.) The silver zinc will show around the edges of the hole, but if it bothers you, a copper-leafing pen touches them right up.

do you use a punch or a drill?

(pennies minted in Canada since 2000 have a metal content of 94% steel, 1.5% nickel, 4.5% copper plated zinc)

Besides, that's gonna make a nice souvenir if they really do kill the penny *g*

Here's a good post about making copper jewelry AND about legality:
etsy metal: Jewelry & Metalwork with Coins
She also has a large penny necklace in her shop.
Etsy :: ErikasChiquis :: Big Coin Belly Dance Necklace/ Choker

Somewhere on etsy someone had a metal punch and stand that looked great for doing coins, but I can't find it now. A Dremel with a stand would work well, just make a little jig and a clamp. Then you can switch out the drill head with a grinding head on the dremel and polish off the burrs.

I use a regular old drill with a metal bit, but I also only use copper pennies for my pieces, so I would think investing in a punch might be a good bet. If you do decide to try the drill, don't hold it down with your finger, like Jetgirl said--it get's hot from the friction. I do, but my elongates are thinner, so it goes through really quickly;)

Originally Posted by jetgirl

Here's a good post about making copper jewelry AND about legality:
etsy metal: Jewelry & Metalwork with Coins

Somewhere on etsy someone had a metal punch and stand that looked great for doing coins, but I can't find it now. A Dremel with a stand would work well, just make a little jig and a clamp. Then you can switch out the drill head with a grinding head on the dremel and polish off the burrs.

Oh hell... There goes my whole "I'm so edgy and hardcore" illusion *g*

I've just ordered a metal punch kit. I'll see how it goes. (I needed one anyway to pierce sheet metal, so it won't be wasted even if doesn't work on pennies.)

"It" being the coin, not the drill.

go to the coin shop, buy bag of "out of corculation".very cheap, and the coins are from all over
sily putty on a board.diamond drill.one of us has a board with holes to match sizes of coins.

like cutting glass, water helps cool, but the diamond bit really does the job.

Silly putty for a jig, neat idea. My husband has a full metal shop (with a drill press), but I'm serious, a Dremel is a fantastic tool. I used to refinish painted Victorian hardware with it, cut metal faceplates to fit in awkward locations, grind wood moulding to fit together like puzzle pieces...

I don't have a stand for a Dremel... The metal punch was cheap and I needed it for something else anyways, but I may have to re-visit after I experiment with it.

Now I need to find out were to find good chain, I suppose. That and fasteners. I like interesting fasteners, out in the open. ANy ideas?

Hey, Jetgirl,

Your husband doesn't have any resources he's willing to share for the engraving of steel, does he? I've been screwed over pretty hard by my engraver, and need to learn how to engrave my penny-press dies myself, but I'm having a hard time finding the right tutorials to start with.