Just think about this: In the 1790's it was a federal crime to coin pennys because it cost less than a penny to make a penny but it was NOT a crime to produce gold and silver coin -- it cost just as much as the coin was worth to make them. There were a few individuals who actually did mint their own coins.
Not that we really need another example of how removed from the founders our current politicians are but here it is anyway: In the first coinage act under the then new constitution it was a death penalty offense for a mint worker to intentionaly reduce the gold or silver content of coins as a means of stealing same.
ref: Pennys
Death for debasement
Commenting by HaloScan
