18 U.S.C. § 488 – Making or Possessing Counterfeit Dies for Foreign Coins
This law makes it a federal crime to create or possess counterfeit dies, hubs, or molds used to make foreign coins.
This statute applies to unauthorized tools used to counterfeit the genuine coinage of a foreign government when the conduct occurs within the United States. It covers dies, hubs, or molds made from any material, including steel, plaster, or other substances.
The law focuses on lack of lawful authority, not on whether counterfeit coins were successfully produced.
What the law prohibits.
A person violates this statute if they knowingly and without lawful authority:
- Make or engrave a die, hub, or mold in the likeness of a genuine foreign coin die
- Create any part of such a die, hub, or mold
- Possess or control a counterfeit die, hub, or mold for foreign coinage
- Conceal such a tool or knowingly allow it to be used in counterfeiting foreign coins
This statute does not require proof of intent to defraud.
Penalties.
A conviction under this statute can result in a fine, up to 5 years in federal prison, or both.
If you’re facing federal charges involving counterfeit foreign coin dies or molds, call (314) 900-HELP or contact our criminal defense attorneys to discuss your options.
