18 U.S.C. § 490
Section 490 · Minor coins
Amended 3 times on record
Applied in 2 court decisions — leading case United States v. Goodman (1972)
Most recently applied in United States v. Cowan (July 1997)
Whoever falsely makes, forges, or counterfeits any coin in the resemblance or similitude of any of the one-cent and 5-cent coins minted at the mints of the United States; or
Whoever passes, utters, publishes, or sells, or brings into the United States, or possesses any such false, forged, or counterfeited coin, with intent to defraud any person, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
Editorial notes U.S. Code · Office of the Law Revision Counsel
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §278 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §164, 35 Stat. 1119).
Reference to persons causing, procuring, aiding or assisting was omitted as unnecessary as such persons are made principals by section 2 of this title.
Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.
Changes were made in phraseology.
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.
1984—Pub. L. 98–216 substituted “one-cent and 5-cent coins minted” for “minor coins coined”.
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Section 4(c) of Pub. L. 98–216 provided that: “The amendments made by sections 1(3), (4), and (7) and 3(b)(1) of this Act [amending this section and sections 3322, 3528, and 5132 of Title 31, Money and Finance] are effective as of September 13, 1982.”
Canal Zone
Applicability of section to Canal Zone, see section 14 of this title.