Defacing Coinage?

       I wonder if it still goes on.  Way back, more years/decades than I care to think Al and I went for a ride on Spelling optional.
       THEY spell it "La'al Ratty", some come over all Scottish and use "Larl"; personally I know few, even Cumbrians, who employ a Scottish Rrrrr so tend to write "Lahl Ratty" to extend it beyond "Lal".
       I don't recall seeing more than one other  somewhere.  Slight additional problem?  Up to 1992 they were Cupronickel. NOW they'll rust away if left and, no doubt it would show if rolled out this thin? 

I neglected  to mention cost.  Essentially 51P; because the 1P was rendered unspendable and the machine cost 50P to operate.