Answer the question please. Is it one or two pieces? If one piece then its definitely NOT a die but a pressed coin. If its two pieces then it could possibly be a die but I have no idea how it might have been used.
Maybe I should have asked my question this way. Besides the intent of the individual with custody of the die - what physical characteristics distinguishes a replica die from a counterfeit die?
If a replica die is counter-stamped "COPY" - when placed in service to strike replica coins - "COPY" would transfer to the replica coin in relief as part of the coin design from the die instead of the form of a counter-stamp as required by the Hobby Act.
The real question is whether or not the word COPY is punched into the individual coin, or if it is created by the die itself at the time of striking. If you are making "replicas" that need to be punched COPY after striking then there is absolutely no difference between a die used for making replicas and one used for making counterfeits. If the die is used for making replicas marked at the time of striking then that die will have COPY in raised letters on it. While these unmarked dies are technically illegal, if they are owned by a company that makes marked replicas they don't typically bother them about it.
It can be many things, 1 thing, or nothing. But as a general rule even a novice could distinguish a replica from a genuine coin (assuming they do not have COPY on them) because they simply look vastly different. Replica dies are typically polished to a much higher degree than regular dies are. The designs on replicas are similar but they not the same. Sometimes there will even be intentional changes in the design such as additional words or different words, or wording. And replicas almost always look "too good". Examples - http://www.greatamericancoincompany.com/c54/c23/1916-D-Mercury-Dime-Replica-p186.html http://www.greatamericancoincompany.com/c54/c19/1909-S-VDB-Lincoln-Cent-Replica-p36.html http://www.greatamericancoincompany.com/c54/c40/c41/2007-50-GOLD-BUFFALO-REPLICA-p314.html With these replicas, is there really anybody here who would not know they are replicas ? Again assuming that COPY was not there. Counterfeit dies on the other hand are made in such a way as to fool a person into thinking a coin is genuine. With good counterfeit dies only an expert or a knowledgeable person can tell the coin is a fake.
Then based on the above explanation - if in fact the piece shown in the OP is a die - then it could only be classified as a replica die. Most certainly any coin struck by it would hardly fool anyone.
I don't disagree. But rather obviously the piece is not a die because it has two sides - dies only have one. I was only trying to answer the question that was asked, which was - why is it illegal to own a counterfeit die. I wasn't talking about the OP's piece at all.