He recently hit the headlines in the Italian media the case of a man (Autoemolator clerk) which used deformed coins recovered from cars undergoing scrapping. He was then reported free by the police Carabinieri of the Gravellona Toce station for spending altered coins.
What the Bank of Italy says.
First of all, it should be noted that euro coins that present defects or whose technical and identifying characteristics (dimensions, shape, peso, color, edges) have changed considerably due to wear and tear or accidental events considered “not suitable for circulation”.
However, euro coins unfit for circulation that have been altered deliberately or as a result of a process having the foreseeable effect of altering them are not reimbursed.. For example, coins damaged in connection with procedures such as car scrapping, the separation and recycling of scrap metal and similar.
Where to change them
Citizens who come into possession of damaged coins unfit for circulation can present them for exchange at Branches of the Bank of Italy.
38 Branch: 20, located in the regional capitals, carry out the full range of activities; 12 carry out a significant part of these activities in a differentiated way; 6 (Arezzo, Bergamo, Foggia, Padova, Piacenza and Rome CDM) are specialized in the processing of cash for the distribution and collection of banknotes from banks and post offices and do not offer services to the public.
The coins are refunded immediately at the counter in cases where the unsuitability for circulation is due to the physiological wear and tear of the coins due to prolonged use.
If there are doubts about the origin of the damage, the Banca d'Italia withdraw the coins without refunding them, issuing the citizen a receipt and sends the coins to CNAC (National Coin Analysis Center) which will evaluate its refundability.
Banknotes in the washing machine
Read here if you have worn or otherwise damaged euro banknotes, that is, dirty, stained or accidentally discolored, or “mutilate” of a part normally less than half of the banknote.
Alex Gaetani