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Code · U.S. Code · Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · CHAPTER 17— COINS AND CURRENCY · § 331

§ 331. Mutilation, diminution, and falsification of coins

228 words·~1 min read·/usc/title-18/section-331

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Whoever fraudulently alters, defaces, mutilates, impairs, diminishes, falsifies, scales, or lightens any of the coins coined at the mints of the United States, or any foreign coins which are by law made current or are in actual use or circulation as money within the United States; or
Whoever fraudulently possesses, passes, utters, publishes, or sells, or attempts to pass, utter, publish, or sell, or brings into the United States, any such coin, knowing the same to be altered, defaced, mutilated, impaired, diminished, falsified, scaled, or lightened—
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 700; July 16, 1951, ch. 226, § 1, 65 Stat. 121; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(I), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 279 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 165, 35 Stat. 1119).
Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.
Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of “principal” in section 2 of this title.
Changes were also made in phraseology.
Connections8 cite this · traces to 1
9 references not yet in our index
  • June 25, 1948, ch. 645
  • 62 Stat. 700
  • July 16, 1951, ch. 226, § 1
  • 65 Stat. 121
  • Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(I)
  • 108 Stat. 2147
  • Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 165
  • 35 Stat. 1119
  • Pub. L. 103–322
Citation graph
cites case law
§ 331
Mutilation, diminution, and falsification of coins
Fed. Reg.×6
C.F.R.×1
U.S.C.×1
ActJune 25, 1948, ch. 645
Stat.62 Stat. 700
ActJuly 16, 1951, ch. 226, § 1
Stat.65 Stat. 121
Pub. L.Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(I)
Cites 10 · showing 6Cited by 8 across 3 sources
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