15 Bizarre British Laws You're Probably Breaking Every Day
3. Writing On Or Defacing A Banknote Is Against The Law
Almost every banknote in Britain has been written on at some point or other - usually by a shopworker checking if the money is real or counting up the takings. Yet the Currency and Banknotes Act 1928 makes it illegal to "deface a banknote by printing, stamping or writing on it" - so all shopworkers are technically committing crimes. Also, the Coinage Act 1971 specifies that destroying a metal coin that has been in circulation in the UK since 1969 is an offence - unless the Treasury has granted you special permission to do so.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
Almost every banknote in Britain has been written on at some point or other - usually by a shopworker checking if the money is real or counting up the takings. Yet the Currency and Banknotes Act 1928 makes it illegal to "deface a banknote by printing, stamping or writing on it" - so all shopworkers are technically committing crimes. Also, the Coinage Act 1971 specifies that destroying a metal coin that has been in circulation in the UK since 1969 is an offence - unless the Treasury has granted you special permission to do so.