The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 29, July 16, 2006, Article 24

OWNERSHIP OF UNCANCELLED COINAGE DIES

Inspired by last week's item on ANR's offering of pioneer
gold coin dies, Dave Wnuck writes: "The article in this week's
E-Sylum got me wondering about the legality of owning uncancelled
dies from obsolete U.S. coinage.  I imagine there must be some
still extant outside of museum collections.  Can any of your
readers provide the answer?"

[I know the Mint currently sells obliterated dies, but I don?t
know the status of uncancelled dies.  I believe the ANS has
some U.S. coinage dies, but I don?t recall if they were cancelled
- does anyone know?  I put the question to one of our regular
contributing legal eagles. His response follows -Editor]

David L. Ganz or Ganz & Hollinger P.C. writes: "They sell the
dies obliterated because title 18 of the U.S.. code (criminal
statutes) makes possession difficult if not illegal.

18 USC ? 487. Making or possessing counterfeit dies for coins
Whoever, without lawful authority, makes any die, hub, or mold,
or any part thereof, either of steel or plaster, or any other
substance, in likeness or similitude, as to the design or the
inscription thereon, of any die, hub, or mold designated for
the coining or making of any of the genuine gold, silver, nickel,
bronze, copper, or other coins coined at the mints of the United
States; or

Whoever, without lawful authority, possesses any such die, hub,
or mold, or any part thereof, or permits the same to be used for
or in aid of the counterfeiting of any such coins of the United
States -

Shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more
than fifteen years, or both.

It goes without saying that if you have a genuine die without
authority the trouble is deeper. This is not a legal opinion
and is furnished informationally as a courtesy. We furnish
written opinions and perform legal research by written retainer
only."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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