Several of the tables at this year’s Zinefest were offering “make your own buttons” services. The basic idea was that for one dollar, you could draw a little image and have it made into a little 1″ button. I did three water colored buttons before I remembered an old idea I’ve had about cutting up a dollar bill and turning it into buttons. The result worked out even better than I imagined, especially the pyramid and eagle sections which must have been designed with this idea in mind because they seem to fit so perfectly.
$4 yielded me 3 buttons. Considering the value of a dollar right now, I think this was a good investment. I’ve long been searching for a 1″button maker, but neither Craigslist or eBay have yet to turn up anything decent for under $200.
dude, I bet you could still use those dollars in vending machines….or in laundry mat change machines
No way, dude. Those machines won’t even take fully intact dollar if one of the corners is slightly dog eared.
I wanna spend it somewhere as if there’s nothing wrong with it.
i think that as long as there is more than half of the bill remaining then it is still legal tender
Wouldn’t this be considered defacing currency, and therefore be illegal?
Here’s a page from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing:
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/document.cfm/18/104
No, I’m not with the Secret Service, but I’d hate to see you get in trouble if you bought a button machine and started making lots of these.
Looks like the Feds are saying that you can go to a local bank and exchange your holey bills for full bills.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/faq/faqcur.htm
Q: Where can I redeem mutilated currency?
A: Mutilated currency can be redeemed either by mail or in person at The Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The bureau’s web site provides more information on damaged or mutilated currency.
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/section.cfm/8/39
(Yes, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing uses the website “moneyfactory.gov”!)
What is not mutilated currency?
Any badly soiled, dirty, defaced, disintegrated, limp, torn, worn, out currency note that is CLEARLY MORE than one-half of the original note, and does not require special examination to determine its value. These notes should be exchanged through your local bank and processed by the Federal Reserve Bank.
Yeah, I knew this may be illegal, but it was just a one time act. From what I’ve heard, this law hasn’t been enforced since 1937 though.
This is not illegal as long as you don’t use the dollar as money.
I make Money Buttons too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKaM5FlnEbs
Nothing says baller like money buttons. Skip picking out the band or the slogan that suits your mood and get straight to the point. Made from real dollar bills, these buttons measure one inch in diameter and are equipped with durable steel backings and brass pin attachments. Sold in a set of four that comes in a clear protective envelope, signed and dated by me.
Great minds think alike.
I make Money Buttons too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKaM5FlnEbs
Nothing says baller like money buttons. Skip picking out the band or the slogan that suits your mood and get straight to the point. Made from real dollar bills, these buttons measure one inch in diameter and are equipped with durable steel backings and brass pin attachments. Sold in a set of four that comes in a clear protective envelope, signed and dated by me.
Great minds think alike.