From: Chris Blunt 
Newsgroups: uk.finance
Subject: Re: Bank won't change my damaged pound!
Date: Tue, 02 Sep 2003 12:00:35 +0100

On 2 Sep 2003 01:56:45 -0700, Davidlobsterpot601@hotmail.com (David)
wrote:

>When I visited my bank recently to pay in some cheques, I took the
>opportunity to take in a pound coin which had unfortunately had an
>argument with my lawnmower (ouch)- thought I might as well get it
>changed for a good one while I was there.  However, to my great
>surprise, the bank teller would have none of it - she said that if she
>took it off my hands, the bank would lose out.  Puzzled, I pointed out
>that banks (surely?) routinely sift out damaged notes and coins from
>circulation and return them to the Mint for recycling??  "Ah, but only
>full coin bags..."  (?!?  what, so when I've demolished another 19
>pound coins with the flymo that will be OK then?)

Couldn't you have withdrawn a bag of £1 coins from your account,
substituted the damaged one for one from the bag, and paid the bag
back into your account?