The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 21, May 27, 2007, Article 19

"SILVER SURFER" ALTERED QUARTERS DRAW U.S. MINT IRE

This week the Associated Press reported that "A Marvel Comics hero
is giving George Washington some company on the quarter, but the
U.S. Mint doesn't think the stunt is so super.

"To promote the upcoming film 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver
Surfer,' 20th Century Fox and The Franklin Mint altered 40,000 U.S.
quarters to feature the character.

"The U.S. Mint said in a news release Friday that it learned of the
promotional quarter this week and advised the studio and The Franklin
Mint they were breaking the law. It is illegal to turn a coin into
an advertising vehicle, and violators can face a fine.

"The altered coins are quarters honoring the state of California that
entered circulation in 2005. They feature George Washington on the
front, as usual, but a colorized version of the character on the back.
All 40,000 are slated to be in circulation throughout the country by
the end of Memorial Day weekend, and about 800 were released in each
state.

"Fans who find the customized quarters can enter a contest online to
win prizes and a private screening of the movie."

To read the complete Associated Press article, see:
Associated Press article

[So, has anyone found one of the altered quarters in circulation?
The article includes a picture of one.   Although the promoter professes
to be operating in the bounds of the law, there is a clear delineation
between altering coins permanently removed from circulation and
altering coins to be returned to circulation.

Stickered coins may be a grey area, but they are not permanently
altered.  And if I alter a coin and either give it or sell it as a
commemorative without returning it to commerce, that's OK.  But I
would agree with the Mint that the Silver Surfer promoters crossed
the line by returning the coins to circulation, where naturally they
would be seen by a much larger audience as they pass from hand to
hand.  -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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