Quote:
Originally Posted by emamum
if you try and pay in coppers then the shop doesnt have to accept it.
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A shop doesn't have to accept cash at all! Likewise there is no legal obligation to give change.
Whether the shop would stay in business if it implemented either of these is another matter, though.
"Legal tender"is simply payment that satisfies a debt, if offered. As most shops hand over the goods when payment is received, then there is no debt. If you try to buy something for £20 using 1p coins, the shop can either accept it or not. If it won't accept it, you're not then entitled to walk out with the item, nor is any offence committed.
You can satisfy a debt in any way that is mutually acceptable: cash, cheque, credit card, cattle, sexual favours etc - but if an offer is made to settle a debt using legal tender (the coins and amounts specified earlier) and that offer is refused, the debt is still legally satisfied.