AuthenticAuthor
New Member
Hi, I have a question regarding Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 25 Section 486 of the United States Code which reads, "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 \1\ or imprisoned not more than five years, or both."
(Source: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+18USC486)
I'm wondering, why does this section mention "of original design" when Ch.25 is titled "COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY"? Doesn't that contradict what Ch.25 is apparently covering? "Of original design" would mean that this law is going beyond counterfeiting and forgery, correct?
The reason for this post is because I'm currently researching the legal situation surrounding the Liberty Dollar. The United States Mint has used that particular law to justify its claims that the Liberty Dollars themselves are illegal to produce. The problem I have with this is, of course, Ch.25. Does this mean that the United States Mint is misapplying this law? Thanks for the help!
(Source: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+18USC486)
I'm wondering, why does this section mention "of original design" when Ch.25 is titled "COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY"? Doesn't that contradict what Ch.25 is apparently covering? "Of original design" would mean that this law is going beyond counterfeiting and forgery, correct?
The reason for this post is because I'm currently researching the legal situation surrounding the Liberty Dollar. The United States Mint has used that particular law to justify its claims that the Liberty Dollars themselves are illegal to produce. The problem I have with this is, of course, Ch.25. Does this mean that the United States Mint is misapplying this law? Thanks for the help!
