Is there any law....

SmallTownCoins

Is there any law against counterfeiting Ancient Roman silver or gold coin's ?
International Law or otherwise ?

Bailathacl

I'm not aware of any laws within the jurisdiction of the United States. However, the normal laws of fraud and misrepresentation would pertain to anyone knowingly trying to pass off a counterfeit as the real thing. Anyone else know for certain?

P.S. The laws of morality and of numismatics of course forbid such counterfeiting, except when clearly marked as a copy....

Conder101

I think you could probably be convicted under Title 18 sec 489 but the fine is only $100. If they weren't marked COPY you could also be charged with a violation of the Hobby Protection Act.

satootoko

<< <i>I think you could probably be convicted under Title 18 sec 489 but the fine is only $100. >>

Correct IF they are passed in interstate commerce, which includes use of the mails even within a single state.

<< <i>If they weren't marked COPY you could also be charged with a violation of the Hobby Protection Act. >>

Also correct IF they were manufactured after the effective date of the HPA.

BigAlan

It is "counterfeit" if it is a financial obligation of any current government anywhere in the world. Ancients would not be counterfeit since there isn't any government. They could, however, be fraud.

SmallTownCoins

The reason I asked, is that I just read somewhere that someone bought a set of the 12 ceasar's in gold for over 100K...
It just seemed to me, that would be "more than risky"...
I also would love to own a set like that, but WOW.... talk about having FAITH.....

2,000 year old coin's, made in the 1940's ?, 1840's ?, ......


p.s., this thread was prompted by the "fake ancient coin in a slab thread"....