ACEF Stamping Counterfeit Coins with the Word COPY

The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF) will be at Table #1826 Aug. 20 through 23 on the Club Midway during the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money at the Oklahoma City Convention Center equipped to stamp COPY on counterfeit coins submitted by collectors who have unwittingly purchased fakes from e-commerce platforms or fraudulent merchants.

“We want to help victims legally possess counterfeits they have been duped into buying by properly incusing them with the word ‘COPY.’ More importantly, we want them to come to the WFOM to see real coins and meet trusted, real professional dealers who will treat them fairly,” said ACEF President John Albanese.

For those unable to attend the WFOM who are seeking a trustworthy dealer, ACEF provides the Trusted Experts Directory at https://acefonline.org/trusted-experts-directory/ that enables one to locate a dealer nearby.

According to federal law, counterfeit coins are illegal to possess, buy, or sell. Hence, once a victim becomes aware that a coin is counterfeit, he/she should turn it over to the nearest Secret Service agent or local law-enforcement official. Often that is impractical because of distance or law enforcement being reluctant to spend time to recover one or two counterfeit coins.

However, there is a legal way to possess a counterfeit coin. The Hobby Protection Act sanctions possession of a counterfeit coin if the word “COPY” is incused on either the back or front.

The punches and other equipment used to mark the fake coins with the word “COPY” were made and donated to the ACEF by Joe Paonessa of the private Root River Mint, Racine, WI. ACEF is a 501(C)(3)non-profit corporation with Public Charity status. It is funded by donations. For information on how to donate, go to https://acefonline.org/donate/