Would You Buy a Chinese Counterfeit to Suppliment a Real Coin?

It cost me a whole $2 each shipping included. I was hoping mine might be the straw, but it did not work that way.

 

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I never bought counterfeit money, but I had some in my possession, $500.00 in $100 and $50. I went to the bank to get some travelers checks. It seemed to take a lot longer than normal to get the travelers and I was asked to go to the Vice President office while they were getting the checks. Then two federal agents came into the office and read me my rights, and began to question me about the bills. After about a hour I was aloud to leave because I was able to tell them where I had gotten the bills. I had received them from the payroll office. and some how the counterfeit money had gotten past the bank where the payroll office got the money from. Granted this was in 1983. but some how I still think it is still illegal to have counterfeit money in your possession. To follow up, every person that had been paid by that payroll office as checked up on by the federal officers and the money paid out was checked, I did hear that more counterfeit money was collected. As far as what happened to the bank that the money came from, I have no idea. I did get my money back but it took a couple of weeks.

 

So far as I am aware, it is not "illegal to have counterfeit money in your possession" now - nor in 1983. What is illegal is trying to spend them or sell them as collectibles. For coins, I am positive that is the case.

 

So the moral of the tail is: Don't forget you have counterfeit money and try to spend it.

 

For heck of it I went to the US Secret Service site to see what they had on possession of counterfeit money. This is just for FYI, I am not a lawyer. Heck, I even have some of those Lincoln cents with him smoking a pipe that you get from the amusement park

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Manufacturing counterfeit United States currency or altering genuine currency to increase its value is a violation of Title 18, Section 471 of the United States Code and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both.

Possession of counterfeit United States obligations with fraudulent intent is a violation of Title 18, Section 472 of the United States Code and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both.

Anyone who manufactures a counterfeit U.S. coin in any denomination above five cents is subject to the same penalties as all other counterfeiters. Anyone who alters a genuine coin to increase its numismatic value is in violation of Title 18, Section 331 of the United States Code, which is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

Forging, altering, or trafficking in United States Government checks, bonds or other obligations is a violation of Title 18, Section 510 of the United States Code and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.

Printed reproductions, including photographs of paper currency, checks, bonds, postage stamps, revenue stamps, and securities of the United States and foreign governments (except under the conditions previously listed) are violations of Title 18, Section 474 of the United States Code. Violations are punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both.

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http://www.secretservice.gov/money_law.shtml

 

I have one reason for wanting to buy a chinese counterfeit. I'd like a tie tack made from the bust of a Draped bust half cent. (Maybe a set of four, one for each head type.) Rather than cut up a real coin, even a damaged one, I would prefer to use one of the chinese fakes, they are a close enough copy. i haven't done it though because I don't want to support the counterfeiters.

 

Any denomination above 5 cents? You mean I can make my own Lincoln Cents?

 

The Secret Service regs on counterfeits was interesting, but the law that is more applicable is the Hobby Protection Act of 1978, (I believe). It is the one making copies of numismatic material, regardless of denomination, illegal without the word COPY stamped into it.

 

Actually, that is not quite true. Manufacturing them is legal so long as they are not for sale.

 

hell no.. i wouldnt want to waste my money...

 

Kinda reminds me of toy money. Looks sort of real but it isn't. I wouldn't be comfortable having it in my main collection. It would be part of my junk box.