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Lots of people on Reddit (etc.) have been asking how to get a stamp to make "Freedom Money," as seen in the pictures.
This is a protest of "In God We Trust" printed on our currency. Yes, this constitutional violation is a small one, but the small discriminations support other more serious ones, like people claiming that God+Government is a constitutional/good/safe mix (any history buff will tell you it isn't).
No, this is not illegal. The law against defacing currency only applies when you do so "with intent to render such bank bill... unfit to be reissued" (US Code title 18, part I, ch 17, sec 333). Freedom-stamping only makes sense when you intend for the bill to be reissued and widely circulated. And the spirit of the law really only applies to money you haven't earned (e.g. if the Fed tries to destroy the notes to rid itself of liabilities.
It has been mentioned before that the Fed, being privately owned, might actually be free to print whatever it wants on dollar bills, without being affected by the Constitution's clauses prohibiting government-established religion. Although the Fed is privately owned, it derived much of its power from Congress, and is in a unique limbo between government and industry. And even if there wasn't anything Congress can do about it (there is, btw), freedom-stamping still acts as an awareness campaign.
Anyway, here's the tutorial.
Cost < $20.
Step 1: Download the Original Image File
It can be downloaded here.
Step 2: RubberStamps.net
I've checked out lots of sources, and RubberStamps.net is the cheapest/easiest for customized stamps. Go their "Self Inking Stamps" page.
Step 3: Choose the Trodat 4913 stamp
I've found this to be the best stamp to give both a good price and a large image. It also comes with its own inkpad and is easier to use than the cheaper "art-mounted" stamps on the site. Don't choose the 'pocket' version of the Trodat 4913; it's more expensive.
Step 4: Click "Customize"
Now to customize your Trodat 4913. We'll put the custom image on it.
Step 5: Select Image
Click this button and go find the image you downloaded in Step 1.
Step 6: Verify Preview
If my calculations are correct, the preview shouldn't give any problem. But if you want it smaller or bigger (you shouldn't have to go bigger; the provided image has practically no margin), you can adjust that below with "Scale Uploaded Image." When done, "Add to Cart!"
Step "DONE"
Do I need to spell out the rest for you? Click "Secure Checkout," add a replacement inkpad if you want, let your e-shopping skills take over, and you should be stamping bills in about a week!
Some stamping tips:
- When you press down on the bill, rock the stamp back and forth to get all the ink onto it.
- Prefer to stamp crisp, new bills (they have more of a circulation future).
- Don't bother stamping $20's; cash 'em in for crisp $1's at the bank, and stamp 20 times as much!
- Send people links to this page! We need to fight the good fight!