ANTI-COUNTERFEITING EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

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V21 2018 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 21, Number 10, March 11, 2018, Article 16

Counterfeiting of circulating coinage and banknotes has been a problem for governments and society since the first coins and banknotes were issued. While rare numismatic collectibles have never been immune from this scourge, in recent years advances in technology have enabled criminals to create ever more problematic copies of rarities. As these have flooded the market a number of individuals and organizations have raised the call for fighting back.

In the U.S. this movement has come together under the auspices of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. We've followed with interest the creation and progress of its Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force. This press release announces the latest step -the formation of the new non-profit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF). -Editor

The Board of Directors of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets has appointed seven industry leaders to guide the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF), the non- profit organization recently formed to receive contributions to support the work of its Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.

Scott Spitzer, chief executive officer of Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, Inc., will serve as president. Officers joining him will be Gary Linthicum of Universal Coin and Bullion, who will serve as vice president; Greg Allen of Greg Allen Coins as secretary; and Philip N. Diehl of U.S. Money Reserve as treasurer. Other board members include Robert Brueggeman, executive director of the Professional Numismatist Guild; Larry Baber, treasurer of the American Numismatic Association, and Robert Harwell of Hancock & Harwell Rare Coins.

ICTA's board of directors approved the formation of the new non-profit for the purposes of receiving contributions from individuals, other 501(c)(3) organizations, local and regional coin clubs, grants, eBay for Charities, and government agencies. Those desiring to donate to the non-profit foundation should make checks payable to the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 237, Dacula, Ga. 30019.

The foundation's board of directors will review project proposals from ACTF to ensure that they are covered under IRS 501(c)(3) regulations.

"While we shall be forever grateful to those who stepped forward in our first year to support the work of our task force, we have come to realize that we can't move forward by drawing from the same small well year after year," said Diehl who serves as chairman of ICTA and will be serving the new non-profit as treasurer.

Diehl noted that the paper work has been completed and filed and the foundation can receive contributions as it awaits final approval from the IRS. Additionally, he pointed out that collectors, interested individuals, and organizations can now support the task force's work through tax-deductible contributions of cash or coins.

Formed in January 2017, the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force's mission is to mobilize law enforcement to defend the nation's coinage by educating officials about the economic impact and growing threat counterfeits pose to the marketplace and the public. ACTF serves as the coin industry's liaison with law enforcement and policy makers, assisting in the investigation and prosecution of suspects involved in all aspects of coin counterfeiting. It also provides education, expertise, and other resources to law enforcement to assist in curtailing the manufacture, importation, marketing, and sale of counterfeit coins, related fakes of precious metals products, and counterfeit security packaging.

ACTF is totally funded through donations from businesses and individuals made directly to the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity that funds the work and mission of the ACTF. Make checks payable to the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation and mail to ICTA, P.O. Box 237, Dacula, GA 30019. For information about donating, contact Beth Deisher at 567-202-1795; email beth.deisher@ictaonline.org.