I would have made a fuss...

Sure it is. Why not take your coins to the bank and exchange them for bills first? The clerk is a busy person, and doesn't have time to count your change to make sure you aren't ripping them off.

I can't see how it's legal to refuse payment. It's legal tender. I usually don't try to make a big deal out of stuff like this, but if I've been standing in line since the Carter administration and I have perfectly good money, there is no reason for her to refuse your payment. I'm going to need to talk to the manager and then I'll start acting just a little crazy as I'm pleading my case (turn your head a little and whisper loudly "shut up!" between sentences.) That works wonders. You'll be surprised how fast they take care of you to get you out the door.

It is legal for private businesses to refuse payment with lots of coins. They do not have to take their time counting the coins. You should take it to a bank and THEY may roll them to make sure you aren't trying to cheat them and they can exchange it for you. It is only a courtesy for private businesses to accept coins. ANd remember that banks ARE private businesses. Coinage Act of 1965, Section 31 U.S.C. 5103, entitled "Legal tender," which states: "United States coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues." This statute means that all United States money as identified above are a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor. There is, however, no Federal statute mandating that a private business, a person or an organization must accept currency or coins as for payment for goods and/or services. Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether or not to accept cash unless there is a State law which says otherwise. For example, a bus line may prohibit payment of fares in pennies or dollar bills. In addition, movie theaters, convenience stores and gas stations may refuse to accept large denomination currency (usually notes above $20) as a matter of policy.

No, I don't believe it's legal. Coins are legal tender for "debts, public charges, taxes, and dues". As the other people have said, private entities can legally refuse to accept anything they don't want to deal in, e.g. no bills over $50, no pennies (vending machines), etc. Purchasing something does not create a debt, it is merely a transaction. It's a private charge, not public. It is neither a tax nor a due. Thus, they don't have to recognise any/all legal tender in their dealings. However, I'm pretty sure that a traffic fine should be considered a "public charge". It's collected by a government agency, and I believe they are forced to accept all forms of U.S. currency as legal tender.