Home U.S. Coin Forum

What Determines when a Replica must be marked, COPY?

braddickbraddick Posts: 25,000 ✭✭✭✭✭
I know if currency is copied yet is of a much larger size than the original, it doesn't need to be marked nor is it illegal to print. (Please, a currency guy correct me on this! Perhaps the laws are different now?)
Why is it if a 'coin' is minted in replica form, taking on a much larger size than the original, it must be marked, COPY?

I understand why the Standing Liberty quarter on the right of the photo isn't mark. (Love it or not) the law allows for this as it is struck over a genuine Standing Liberty quarter and thus is an altered, albeit real coin, but the one on the left?
It is a giant compared to the regular, regulation sized quarter yet is marked.

Legally, does it need to be or unlike currency, any replica of a genuine u.s. struck coin must be marked COPY?


image

Comments

  • This content has been removed.
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,731 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Purchased a 1926 Saint from a lady in Red Oak, Ia. It came back questionable. Am taking it to refinery on my next trip. I determined the buck stops here.

    Line # Date Denomination Variety Country Grade
    1 1999 1C USA MS63RD
    2 1937-D 5C 3 Legs USA AU55
    3 1836 $2.50 Script 8 USA VF20
    4 1848-C $2.50 USA Genuine - XF Details (98 - Damage or Tooling)
    5 1905-S $5 USA Genuine - XF Details (92 - Cleaned)
    6 1887-S $10 USA Genuine - VF Details (92 - Cleaned)
    7 1853 $20 USA Genuine - VF Details (98 - Damage or Tooling)
    8 1879-S $20 USA XF45
    9 1896 $20 USA AU50
    10 1898-S $20 USA AU55
    11 1909-S $20 USA MS62
    12 1922 $20 USA MS62
    13 1926 $20 USA Questionable Authenticity
    14 1932-D 25C USA AU55
    14 1932-D 25C USA AU50
    14 1932-D 25C USA AU55
    14 1932-D 25C USA XF45
    15 1936-D 25C USA AU55



    LINE # 13 image
  • stealerstealer Posts: 4,039 ✭✭✭✭
    Geez, just leave the poor man alone. No need to start a thread about this topic...if you don't like his work, don't buy it.
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 25,000 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Geez, just leave the poor man alone. No need to start a thread about this topic...if you don't like his work, don't buy it. >>


    Are you serious?
    I love his work.

    (I probably spend a little over 1K purchasing his coins just this week...)

    This has nothing to do with DC- no, instead I am curious if super-sized replica coins such as the one I own and photographed needs the COPY mark as I know oversized currency does not.
    I'd love to leave DCs coin out of the discussion.
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭
    << Hobby Protection Act § 304.1.(d): Imitation numismatic item means an item which purports to be, but in fact is not, an original numismatic item or which is a reproduction, copy, or counterfeit of an original numismatic item. Such term includes an original numismatic item which has been altered or modified in such a manner that it could reasonably purport to be an original numismatic item other than the one which was altered or modified. The term shall not include any re-issue or re-strike of any original numismatic item by the United States or any foreign government. >>

    << 18 USC § 486 - Uttering coins of gold, silver or other metal: Whoever, except as authorized by law, makes or utters or passes, or attempts to utter or pass, any coins of gold or silver or other metal, or alloys of metals, intended for use as current money, whether in the resemblance of coins of the United States or of foreign countries, or of original design, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. >>

    The law determines when a coin or fantasy piece needs COPY. Given the laws above, my (non-legal) interpretation is that the Hobby Protection Act may not apply but the issuers of super-sized pieces may be applying COPY to avoid violating the law against uttering. However, I'm not sure the COPY is strictly needed if the super-sized pieces can be considered fantasy coins as there have certainly modern strikings of rejected designs such as the Morgan Unions that have been slabbed by NGC. My guess is these companies would prefer to err on the side of caution.
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 37,330 ✭✭✭✭✭
    When I saw the topic I wondered how many posts before it turned into a DCarr thread, but I see the OP made it one from the start.


    proceed!


    image
    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 25,000 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i><< Hobby Protection Act § 304.1.(d): Imitation numismatic item means an item which purports to be, but in fact is not, an original numismatic item or which is a reproduction, copy, or counterfeit of an original numismatic item. Such term includes an original numismatic item which has been altered or modified in such a manner that it could reasonably purport to be an original numismatic item other than the one which was altered or modified. The term shall not include any re-issue or re-strike of any original numismatic item by the United States or any foreign government. >>

    << 18 USC § 486 - Uttering coins of gold, silver or other metal: Whoever, except as authorized by law, makes or utters or passes, or attempts to utter or pass, any coins of gold or silver or other metal, or alloys of metals, intended for use as current money, whether in the resemblance of coins of the United States or of foreign countries, or of original design, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. >>

    The law determines when a coin or fantasy piece needs COPY. Given the laws above, my (non-legal) interpretation is that the Hobby Protection Act may not apply but the issuers of super-sized pieces may be applying COPY to avoid violating the law against uttering. However, I'm not sure the COPY is strictly needed if the super-sized pieces can be considered fantasy coins as there have certainly modern strikings of rejected designs such as the Morgan Unions that have been slabbed by NGC. My guess is these companies would prefer to err on the side of caution. >>



    I had to look that term up. It's been awhile since I've seen it used.
    LINK

    Talk about wanting to err on the side of caution!
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 37,330 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hmmm, if they can find someone who is confused about "Liberty Dollars" they surely could find someone who thought a giant quater was real.... imagine.... someone thinking a giant 3" silver quarter resembling a real quarter might lead someone to .... nevermind!



    I think they were erring on the side of caution, too.


    DC is taking a stand that no such caution is warranted. Like it or not, Agree or disagree.

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 25,000 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I wonder where it stops?
    3" size? 3' Wall mounted plaque?

    What I've learned, reading around the net, is the mark isn't necessary unless the object/replica is also close in size to the original, authentic coin.
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭
    Re DC... whether or not his creations should be considered copies has already been discussed extensively. Assuming for the sake of argument that they are not counterfeits, his creations would appear to possibly make him a coin doctor according to the PNG. From the PNG thread:

    Coin doctoring refers to the alteration of any portion of a coin, when that process includes any of the following:

    1) Movement, addition to, or otherwise altering of metal, so that a coin appears to be in a better state of preservation, or more valuable than it otherwise would be.
  • I know that there is a federal statute that addresses the issue; I'll see if I can look it up. If I can find it, I'll post it here.
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 37,330 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Re DC... whether or not his creations should be considered copies has already been discussed extensively. Assuming for the sake of argument that they are not counterfeits, his creations would appear to possibly make him a coin doctor according to the PNG. From the PNG thread:

    Coin doctoring refers to the alteration of any portion of a coin, when that process includes any of the following:

    1) Movement, addition to, or otherwise altering of metal, so that a coin appears to be in a better state of preservation, or more valuable than it otherwise would be.
    >>



    Altering a date on a coin would be something a coin doctor would do..... e.g. 1944D to 1914D cent image but is the effort to pass a peace dollar off as a genuine 1964D peace, or not since none exist?


    but this is the subject of another thread....


    can't we chase this one dog's tail in this thread and go to the PNG thread to chase the other tail?

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭
    Don't shoot the messenger. PNG wrote that definition, not me. That it appears to include DC's creations is not my fault.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,132 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Don't shoot the messenger. PNG wrote that definition, not me. That it appears to include DC's creations is not my fault. >>



    PNG was obviously refering to adding a mintmark. tooling, or similar alteration. It's doubtful they are refering to Dan Carr's creations.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • derrybderryb Posts: 38,091 ✭✭✭✭✭
    PNG's definition does not make coin doctoring illegal; only against the rules of behavior established by PNG for its members.

    If you understand what is coming, then you can duck. If not, then you get sucker-punched. - Martin Armstrong

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    derryb is correct, coin doctoring is not illegal, but fraud is (passing an item off as something it is not). Cheers, RickO
  • crypto79crypto79 Posts: 8,623
    If it looks like something that would have come from the mint it should say copy because they coppied the mint
  • mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭


    << <i>PNG was obviously refering to adding a mintmark. tooling, or similar alteration. It's doubtful they are refering to Dan Carr's creations. >>

    I was just reading their rule as written. I was not attempting to read their minds regarding what they intended to say but did not actually include in the rule.
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What Determines when a Replica must be marked, COPY?

    Mostly, the level of honesty, integrity, and motives of the folks making the replicas.

    Of course, for anyone in the Replica business, these terms are relative, and planned weaving through all the appropriate loopholes can make a big the difference in perception

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • renomedphysrenomedphys Posts: 3,930 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Anyone notice UNUM is misspelled on the COPY?

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file