The E-Sylum:  Volume 7, Number 13, March 28, 2004, Article 16

TV MONEY NOW LEGAL

  Joe Boling writes: "I can't give you citations, but I believe it was
  formerly (say up until the '60s) illegal to photograph US money
  in movies; thus the plethora of stage notes, many based on
  Mexican models. This may be the origin of your correspondent's
  comment about money on TV. "

  Michael Schmidt writes: "It used to be mandatory for film and
  TV because the law forbid the color reproduction of the
  currency in any form whatsoever. It didn't matter what the
  form or size of the reproductions was.  That was true even
  for the electronic images only seen on the TV screen.  Since
  then the laws have been changed and it is no longer mandatory."

  Martin Gengerke of R.M. Smythe & Co. writes:
  "For the record, I wrote the law regarding the photographic/
  print/media reproductions on U.S. Currency!

  Some years ago you may remember that Congress directed
  the Treasury to rewrite the law regarding the photography
  (etc.) of U.S. Currency.  The Treasury (with the help of the
  Secret Service) came up with a proposed law and published
  it in the numismatic (and other) press asking for comments
  from the public.

  Their proposal was so restrictive it was useless, so I put
  together a 14-pound package with lots of suggestions plus
  a completely rewritten law.  As I remember, the Treasury
  got comments from only a small handful of people.

  To cut to the chase - when the law was finally submitted to
  Congress it was exactly the way I wrote it, with about a
  half dozen words changed.  They never gave me credit for
  it, and I don't even know if they will verify this.

  In any event, the restrictions are as follows:

  Black and white photographs and color photographs are legal
  if they are less than 75% or more than 150% of actual size.
  Black and white and color transparencies are legal in any size.
  There are NO restrictions on the appearance of U.S. Currency
  in movies, television or stage performances whatsoever.
  Photos, slides, etc. are supposed to be for numismatic,
  educational, or advertising purposes, and the negatives/slides
  are supposed to be destroyed after use (but this is so hazy an
  area it is not enforced).

  These rumors from uninformed sources crop up all the time -
  I've written dozens of letters trying to straighten out
  misconceptions, including some to lawyers who misinterpret
  the law!   Hope this helps!"

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization 
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor 
at this address: whomren@coinlibrary.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum