18 U.S.C. § 474 – Plates, stones, or analog/digital images for counterfeiting obligations or securities
This law makes it a federal crime to create, possess, use, or distribute tools or images used to counterfeit U.S. currency or securities.
This statute focuses on the equipment, materials, and images used to produce counterfeit U.S. obligations. It applies even if no counterfeit bills or securities were ever successfully printed or circulated.
The law covers both traditional counterfeiting tools, such as plates or stones, and modern digital methods, including scanned or electronic images of U.S. currency.
What the law prohibits.
A person violates this statute if they knowingly:
- Create, make, or possess plates, stones, or other tools used to print U.S. currency or securities
- Use or allow others to use such tools to print counterfeit obligations
- Make, acquire, scan, capture, store, transmit, or reproduce analog or digital images of U.S. currency with intent to defraud
- Sell, transfer, or bring into the United States counterfeit plates, tools, or images without proper authorization
- Possess counterfeit plates, images, or impressions with intent to use them for counterfeiting
- Print, photograph, engrave, or reproduce the likeness of U.S. currency, in whole or in part, for unauthorized use
This statute applies even if the person did not personally print counterfeit money and even if the counterfeit items were never successfully used.
Penalties.
A violation of this statute is a serious federal felony and can result in a fine, up to 25 years in federal prison, or both.
If you’re facing federal charges involving counterfeiting equipment or digital images, call (314) 900-HELP or contact our criminal defense attorneys to discuss your defense.
