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California Penal Code Section 648a

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(a) Every person who has in his or her possession for any
illegal purpose or who makes, sells, issues, or puts in circulation
any slug or token that does not conform to the limitations on size,
shape, weight, construction, and use specified in subdivision (b) is
guilty of a misdemeanor. The term "slug" and the term "token," as
used in this section, mean any piece of metal or other material not a
coin of the United States or a foreign country.  However, tokens
sold by and accepted as fares by electric railways and lettered
checks having a returnable trade value shall not be subject to the
provisions of this section.
   (b) (1) The slug or token shall either be clearly identified with
the name and location of the establishment from which it originates
on at least one side or shall contain an identifying mark or logo
that clearly indicates the identity of the manufacturer.
   (2) The slug or token shall not be within any of the following
diameter ranges in inches:
   (A) 0.680-0.775.
   (B) 0.810-0.860.
   (C) 0.910-0.980.
   (D) 1.018-1.068.
   (E) 1.180-1.230.
   (F) 1.475-1.525.
   (3) The slug or token shall not be manufactured from a
three-layered material consisting of a copper-nickel alloy clad on
both sides of a pure core, nor from a copper-based material except if
the total of zinc, nickel, aluminum, magnesium, and other alloying
materials is at least 20 percent of the token's weight.
   (4) The slug or token shall not possess sufficient magnetic
properties so as to be accepted by a coin mechanism.
   (5) The design on the slug or token shall not resemble any current
or past foreign or United States coinage.
   (6) Establishments using these slugs or tokens shall prominently
and conspicuously post signs on their premises notifying patrons that
federal law prohibits the use of the slugs or tokens outside the
premises for any monetary purpose.
   (7) The issuing establishment shall not accept slugs or tokens as
payment for any goods or services offered by the establishment with
the exception of the specific use for which the slugs or tokens were
designed.

Last modified: January 12, 2009