Is it illegal to make copies of US money if you don't intend to try to use them?

Question

I work with adults with disabilities and we want to make copies of money on a color copier to use as a training tool. As long as we don't try to use it, is that considered counterfeiting?

Answer 1

Yes, unless you do something obvious to the color copy to indicate that it is a copy...the reason is, is that some high tech color copiers and scanners, as so good that the copy actually looks like the real thing. Even if my accident the "fake money" began to circulate, it would be difficult to explain how it happened. You say you are working with adults with disabilities, this is even more important to distinguish that the "fake" money is fake and not real, by changing the size or even placing a disclaimer across each bill indicating "Not Authentic" or something like that when you make the copy. This can be done by scanning the bill, using a primative photo program on the computer to text across each bill any text you want it to say, then printing it. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Yes. What you are proposing is illegal.

You can avoid charges by shrinking the money to 75% or blowing it up to 150% of its original size and photocopying it only on one side.



Reproduction of Currency

Authority: 18 UNITED STATES CODE; 504: Treasury Directive Number 15-56 FR 48539 (September 15,1993) 411.1 Color illustrations authorized.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 25 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code, authority is hereby given for the printing, publishing or importation, or the making or importation of the necessary plates or items for such printing or publication, of color illustrations of U.S. currency provided that:

1. The illustration must be of a size less than three-fourths or more than one and one-half, in linear dimension, of each part of any matter so illustrated;
2. The illustration must be one sided; and

Answer 3

yes, however, you can reduce or enlarge the size, to make it CLEARLY not an attempt at duplication. then its legal...