Many of us use card or contactless payments when out and about.
It can be easier than scrambling for change, and the coronavirus pandemic has also had an impact on our spending habits.
But cash is still very much a part of our transactional lives, and there are some occasions when only it will do.
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There are, however, some restrictions that apply to cash payments - and many of us may not know about them.
Any transaction has to take place in "legal tender".
According to Royal Mint, legal tender has a very narrow and technical meaning in the settlement of debts.
This has an impact on making payments using coins.
The Royal Mint says 1p and 2p coins are legal tender only if you are paying for something costing 20p or less: once you have amassed 21 or more 1p pieces, your coins contravene the Coinage Act 1971 if used in a single transaction.
Even if you are buying penny sweets.
You can spend up to £5 in 5p or 10p coins, or up to £10 each in 50p and 20p pieces.
There is no limit on £1 or £2 coins.
Both parties are, however, free to agree to accept any form of payment whether legal tender or otherwise if they want to do so.
So if a shopkeeper, for example, is willing to take £20 in 2p pieces, there is nothing stopping you paying that way.
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