Survivalist Pro
Photo by Anete Lusina Pexels Logo Photo: Anete Lusina

Is it illegal to hoard coins?

While the central bank insists it doesn't want to discourage people from saving some coins in piggy banks at home there isn't any legal definition of what constitutes hoarding that addresses what private citizens may hold.

How much money should be in a cash drawer?
How much money should be in a cash drawer?

Though the exact amount might vary from business to business, make sure to have cash, sometimes referred to as petty cash, on-hand in the morning....

Read More »
What type of athletes live the longest?
What type of athletes live the longest?

Why do endurance athletes live longer? Endurance athletes had a 43% lower risk. Team athletes had 33% lower risk. Power athletes had a 10% lower...

Read More »

Coin hoarding might be illegal? Where would you draw the legal line between hoarding and having a large coin collection? These are on the table as the Philippines considers legislation that would tighter laws against currency counterfeiting and the unnecessary accumulation or hoarding of coins. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said, “These proposed measures are expected to further strengthen BSP’s currency operations covering production, distribution, deposit-taking from banks, authenticity verification, anti-counterfeiting operations, and retirement.” The governor continued, “The proposal entails amendments to existing laws and will take into consideration the current economic landscape, as well as advancements in printing technologies,” adding, “The BSP continues to work with stakeholders towards protecting the public against the unlawful or improper use of Philippine currency.” Philippine Senator Grace Poe added, “Reminders by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to be alert of fake bills from ATMs are disquieting and raise the question on how the bogus money can find its way into the banks’ machines. The burden of distinguishing counterfeit bills emanating from banks from genuine ones should not be placed on depositors... As keepers of the people’s money, banks must ensure state-of-the-art defenses against security breaches.” The main thrust of the proposed law changes is aimed at counterfeiting. During November 2021 the central bank reported having executed seven enforcement operations involving the seizure of more than 500 bogus bank notes with a face value of more than 480,000 pesos within the first nine months of 2021. While that amount is exchangeable for less than $10,000 U.S. to anyone living in the Philippines this isn’t a negligible amount. The Philippines is looking to increase the penalty for counterfeiting from its 12-year minimum prison sentence and maximum fine of 2 million pesos (about $19,500 U.S.) under the existing statute, Republic Act 10951. The conviction rate for counterfeiters in the Philippines is at 98.41 percent for those accused between 2010 and 2021. Not as much attention has been paid to the coin hoarding provisions in the revisions of the law. In October 2021 50 million 1-peso coins were seized in a raid on a warehouse in Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City. Smuggling is a problem regarding coins; their intrinsic value making it profitable to scrap them for their metal content. The central bank is using nickel-plated steel in current coins to discourage smuggling coin for their nickel content. Currently anyone found guilty of hoarding can be jailed for one year and fined 100,000 pesos for every thousand coins or fraction of that amount that has been hoarded. The fine can’t be paid from the hoarded coins, which are seized by the government. Chronic coin shortages in the Philippines have been blamed on coin hoarders as well as smugglers. Retail businesses are exempt from most hoarding rules due to using large number of coins in their daily operations. Likewise, charitable institutions, private banks, and government financial institutions that require large amounts of coinage are exempt. Banks are required through the Anti-Money Laundering Law to question the source of coins when coins are brought to them in bulk. While the central bank insists it doesn’t want to discourage people from saving some coins in piggy banks at home there isn’t any legal definition of what constitutes hoarding that addresses what private citizens may hold. The legal definition also fails to address a significant number of coins held by an individual that the individual might insist is a coin collection.

Why are so many people moving off the grid?
Why are so many people moving off the grid?

Angry over blackouts, wildfires caused by utilities and rising electricity bills, a small but growing number of Californians in rural areas and in...

Read More »
Does hairspray count as a liquid?
Does hairspray count as a liquid?

Well, hairspray is a liquid, and TSA will treat it just like any other liquid. What is this? Any hairspray you bring on a plane in carry on baggage...

Read More »

Is living off-grid realistic?
Is living off-grid realistic?

So, living off-grid is possible but not as affordable as you might think. We can use solar, wind, biomass and even biogas technologies. But cutting...

Read More »
Is there anything that Cannot break?
Is there anything that Cannot break?

Quarks and gluons are the building blocks of protons and neutrons, which in turn are the building blocks of atomic nuclei. Scientists' current...

Read More »
How many 1964 quarters make an ounce of silver?
How many 1964 quarters make an ounce of silver?

How Many Silver Quarters Make an Ounce of Silver? Each silver quarter contains 0.18084 troy ounce of pure silver. That means one ounce of silver is...

Read More »
What is the one food a human can live off of?
What is the one food a human can live off of?

"The only food that provides all the nutrients that humans need is human milk," Hattner said. "Mother's milk is a complete food. We may add some...

Read More »