Canadian artist faces charges for defacing coins with laser engravings

Khaled El-Kurdi, a 36-year-old resident of Ontario, Canada, is set to appear in court on April 6 for charges of defacing Canadian currency. El-Kurdi creates art on coins by laser-engraving images onto them, which he then sells on his website for $20 each. He was charged with defacing a current coin and uttering a defaced coin, after police were alerted to his activity through a public complaint on TikTok.

El-Kurdi claims that he knew the activity was illegal, but says that he is not the only one doing it. He points out that when pennies existed there were museums and other places that had penny-flattening machines, that hobo coins can be seen in museums, and folks brag about flattening coins on railroad tracks. He mentioned that he consulted with law professors and even the RCMP before any of this happened. He also notes that the coins are not permanently altered, and that many others use Canadian coins to make jewelry or other artwork.

El-Kurdi says that he is a political activist who does not believe in government, and that his artwork often contains messages against the British monarchy and in support of causes such as Free Palestine. He believes that his art should be discussed, and that he should not be the only one being charged for this type of activity, should the Crown decide to proceed.

The punishment for the charges could be imprisonment and a fine. El-Kurdi plans to fight the case and will likely retain counsel. His next steps depend on what happens after his first court appearance.