Oct 2, 2020 | ACEF/ACTF, News
Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation and U.S. Treasury OIG conduct educational seminar
(Leander, Texas) October 2, 2020 – The opening of the Texas Bullion Depository in the Austin suburb of Leander earlier this year has provided opportunities for investors to safely secure their precious metal coins and ingots but also raised potential problems of storing counterfeit items.
Representatives of the nonprofit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEFonline.org) and the United States Treasury Department Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently conducted an educational seminar at the depository for more than a dozen of the agency’s security staff and law enforcement officers from across Texas.
“The depository’s security force for the depository is composed of state-commissioned peace officers from the Texas State Comptroller’s office, the state agency responsible for oversight of the depository. Due to their lack of experience in numismatics, the Comptroller’s office reached out to ACEF for training after seeing an increase in counterfeits being shipped to the facility,” said Doug Davis, Director of the ACEF Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.
Doug Davis setting up counterfeits display
“We provided the attendees with the basic knowledge, tools, and resources to effectively investigate numismatic crimes related to counterfeit coinage and precious metals. One highlight of the seminar was a hands-on examination of a large display of seized counterfeit coins and ingots,” explained Davis.
The Texas Bullion Depository is the first state-administered depository established in the United States and is the only public depository with its own police force. The facility in Leander, Texas opened in February 2020 with vaults capable of holding 41 million ounces of silver and 120,000 ounces of gold.
OIG Senior Special Agent Chris Hersey
The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation and the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force are supported entirely by donations. The ACEF is a 501(c)(3) corporation and all donations to ACEF are tax deductible.
For additional information or to donate, contact the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation at 28441 Rancho California Road, Suite 106, Temecula, CA 92590. The phone number is 951-587-8300. Or visit the web site at www.ACEFonline.org.
Jul 15, 2020 | ACEF/ACTF, News
Seller is suspect in another counterfeits case
(Temecula, California) July 14, 2020 — Acting on a tip from the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEFonline.org), federal and local California law enforcement agents now are investigating the attempted sale of $400,000 of counterfeit coins including a fake example of the historic 1879 Coiled Hair gold $4 “Stella” that brought $300,000 at auction last year. The seller also is a suspect in an earlier case involving fakes, according to Doug Davis, Director of the ACEF Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force (ACTF).
The bogus Stella was housed in a counterfeit Numismatic Guaranty Corporation holder with a fake insert label printed with the same NGC PR63 grade and certification number as the genuine coin.
-
-
The obverse of the counterfeit 1879 Coiled Hair $4 Stella that now is under investigation. (Image courtesy of Ryan Moretti.)
-
-
The reverse of the counterfeit 1879 Coiled Hair $4 Stella that is jointly being investigated by the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation and federal and local California law enforcement agencies. (Image courtesy of Ryan Moretti.)
Davis, a former Texas Police Chief, has alerted the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Inspector General (OIG) and is assisting investigators in this case.
“The seller of these counterfeits is on our radar and we’re after him no matter how long it takes. In the meantime, these fakes are off the market. They were turned over as evidence and are now in the custody of detectives at the Irvine, California Police Department,” Davis stated.
“We were alerted to this case by Ryan Moretti of Orange County California who is the senior numismatist of Colorado-based American Rarities. He was contacted by an individual offering to sell several expensive coins allegedly in NGC holders, including the 1879 Coiled Hair $4 Stella of which only about dozen genuine examples are known,” said Davis.
The other counterfeit coins offered by the seller were a 1793 AMERICA Chain cent, NGC VF20; an 1800 Draped Bust dollar, NGC AU58; and an 1871-CC Seated Liberty dollar, NGC AU55.
When he received the coins, Moretti suspected based on his years of experience as a professional numismatist that they and the NGC holders were counterfeit. The suspicions were confirmed after inspection by other numismatic experts including NGC representatives.
“When we entered the suspect’s name into the ACTF crime and intelligence database it linked him to another case in which he reportedly attempted to sell counterfeit coins to a Minnesota dealer in December 2019. ACTF alerted agents with the Minnesota Department of Commerce and U.S. Treasury OIG. Those coins were seized and a joint investigation is currently continuing,” explained Davis.
Federal and local investigators are reviewing both the Minnesota and California cases to determine appropriate jurisdiction to initiate prosecution against the suspect for possession and distribution of counterfeits with the intent to defraud.
“Well-made fakes are flooding the U.S. marketplace and the integrity of the numismatic community is under attack. These recent cases spotlight the significant technological advancements of counterfeiters and their agents as well as the all-too-easy availability for the sale of fake coins and precious metals housed in counterfeit third-party authentication and grading holders,” Davis cautioned.
“The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation and it’s Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force will continue its vigorous commitment to protecting the numismatic profession and collectors from adversaries who manufacture and sell counterfeit coins and precious metals. And, we’ll continue to educate the public to encourage them to only work with reputable dealers,” said Davis.
The ACEF and the task force are supported entirely by donations. The ACEF is a 501(c)(3) corporation and all donations to ACEF are tax deductible.”
For additional information or to make a donation, contact the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation at 28441 Rancho California Road, Suite 106, Temecula, CA 92590. The phone number is 951-587-8300. Or visit the web site at www.acefonline.org.
May 26, 2020 | ACEF/ACTF, News
Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation is working with fraud victims and federal law enforcement agencies
(Fallbrook, California) May 26, 2020 – A fraudulent advertisement for bullion coins on Facebook, fake encapsulation holders and requests for expert help from federal agencies kept the nonprofit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEFonline.org) busy during May 2020.
“Among the cases we’re investigating is the sale of ten fake one-ounce silver American Eagles. They were unsuspectingly purchased by someone who responded to an advertisement that popped up while he was checking his Facebook account. All ten coins he received in response to his order were counterfeit,” said Doug Davis, Director of the ACEF Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.
“The victim provided us pictures showing one coin being cut in half to reveal it was composed of base metal, not silver. We have provided information about the seller and the potential manufacturer to the U.S. Treasury Office of Inspector General, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and to the Secret Service,” explained Davis, a former Texas police chief.
-
-
One of the ten fake silver American Eagles sold to an unsuspecting victim who responded to an unsolicited advertisement on Facebook. (Image courtesy of fraud victim.)
-
-
Cutting in half one of the ten counterfeit silver American Eagles revealed it was composed of base metal. (Image courtesy of fraud victim.)
Another case ACEF officials received in May involved counterfeit coins housed in fake Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (www.NGCcoin.com) and Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) encapsulation holders. The victim spent $8,000 responding to an offer made on Mercari, an e-commerce platform. ACEF contacted NGC and PCGS to verify the holders were not genuine, and the information has been provided to federal law enforcement.
ACEF, which operates solely on donations from the public, cautions that the number of websites offering counterfeits for sale continues to grow.
“Analysis indicates that many of the websites are staying operational for only a few days and then shutting down, making it difficult to trace. However, we have been able to determine they just turn around and open a new website under a different name. We have also been able to identify other third party platforms that are being used to distribute counterfeit coins,” said Davis.
“We have been requested by CBP to send a list of websites selling counterfeit coins and precious metals so their investigators can use this intelligence information to identify manufacturers and importers. CBP and Secret Service have several cases being worked in the Los Angeles/ Long Beach area, and volunteers from the ACEF Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force have provided expert assistance there,” he explained.
ACEF volunteers also are providing expert help to Secret Service agents in San Francisco who are working on counterfeiting cases there and to CBP agents investigating seized numismatic fakes in the El Paso, Texas area.
“Remember, if you don’t know precious metals, you’d better know a reputable seller, such as experts affiliated with the Accredited Precious Metals Dealer program (www.APMDdealers.org),” said Davis.
Collectors, dealers and the general public are encouraged to report any counterfeits or counterfeit fraud activity by email to Davis at the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation at Doug@ACEFonline.org.
The efforts of the nonprofit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation and its Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force are supported entirely by donations. Monetary contributions may be made online at www.ACEFonline.org/donate or by check made out to ACEF and mailed to ACEF, 28441 Rancho California Rd., Ste. 106, Temecula, CA 92590. For additional information about donating, contact ACEF Executive Director Bob Brueggeman at info@ACEFonline.org.
May 1, 2020 | ACEF/ACTF
(Temecula, California) April 30, 2020 — The current enormous demand and limited supply of silver and gold bullion coins and other precious metals items during the COVID-19 pandemic have created a breeding ground for the distribution of counterfeits that is costing unsuspecting investors millions of dollars, according to the nonprofit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEFonline.org) .
“Counterfeiters, using sophisticated online marketing techniques, prey on the emotional fears and anxieties of the public. These counterfeiting problems continue to escalate daily, taking advantage of the public’s vulnerability during the COVID-19 crisis stay-at-home and quarantine measures by ramping up online marketing tactics to sell fakes,” stated former Texas Police Chief Doug Davis, Director of the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF).
Offering counterfeit precious metal items online is not new, but Davis said there recently have been “a staggering number of new websites with the expressed purpose of profiting from the pandemic.”
He explained: “Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation’s task force has been instrumental in identifying and monitoring over 100 websites selling counterfeit coins and precious metals. Data and analysis of these sites have been given to the U.S. Treasury Office of Inspector General (OIG) at their request as well as provided to Customs and Border Protection and Secret Service. The information is used to identify counterfeiters, criminal organizations and individuals who manufacture or import counterfeits with the expressed purpose of profiting from the pandemic crisis.”
Davis said many of the counterfeit sellers use slick-looking websites that may appear to be legitimate businesses, but the “gold and silver” items they offer are usually priced far below actual market value.
“That should be a red flag for any potential buyers, however, it appears millions of dollars have been lost by unsuspecting investors,” Davis cautioned.
“If you don’t know precious metals, you’d better know a reputable seller, such as experts affiliated with the Accredited Precious Metals Dealer program (www.APMDdealers.org),” said Davis.
Collectors, dealers and the general public are encouraged to report any counterfeits or counterfeit fraud activity by email to Davis at the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation at Doug@ACEFonline.com.
The efforts of the nonprofit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation and its Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force are supported entirely by donations. Monetary contributions may be made online at www.acefonline.org/donate or by check made out to ACEF and mailed to ACEF, 28441 Rancho California Rd., Ste. 106, Temecula, CA 92590. For additional information about donating, contact ACEF Executive Director Bob Brueggeman at info@ACEFonline.org.
Mar 25, 2020 | ACEF/ACTF, News
The March 24, 2020 consumer/investor advisory statement below is from Doug Davis, Director of the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force of the non-profit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEFonline.org). Mr.Davis is a former Texas police chief.
The 11-year low in silver and the uncertainty of the economy during the COVID-19 crisis has triggered the rush to buy silver across the United States. The Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force (ACTF) has been monitoring the situation closely and within the last several days has identified the launching of 18 new websites and different platforms selling counterfeit coins and precious metals. The manufacturers of counterfeit coins and precious metals, along with criminal networks and enterprises are seizing the opportunity to target collectors, investors and the elderly who are seeking an alternative to conventional investments.
ACTF, in partnership with U.S. Treasury Office of Inspector General and different levels of Customs Border and Protection, are analyzing and evaluating intelligence to identify the sources of manufacturing and the businesses or individuals who are importing counterfeit coins and precious metals into the U.S. marketplace with the intent to defraud.
Data gathered and analyzed from these sites and platforms which have been identified, shows they are utilizing a variety of tactics to exploit, advertise and promote specifically counterfeit silver and bullion coinage. Their strategy is to immediately entice the novice and uneducated into the world of numismatics and precious metals, in order to capitalize on market fluctuations and fear of the current world crisis.
Individuals who are considering the purchase of coins and precious metals should only deal with reputable, knowledgeable experts, such as members of the Accredited Precious Metals Dealers program (www.APMDmembers.org) and the Professional Numismatist Guild (www.PNGdealers.org).
Buyers should also be cognizant of the numerous red flags employed by criminal opportunists that show a pattern of misrepresentation with the intent to defraud the buyer, such as:
- Pricing well below spot or melt
- Morgan and Peace Dollars $2.99 with picture and description indicating you will be receiving an uncirculated coin
- Silver Eagles below spot – proof and uncirculated
- Carson City Dollars $19.95 using picture of NGC Certified GSA. Raw coin also pictured with no CC mintmark. The raw coin will be shipped.
- Statements such as our boss is taking 50,000 silver dollars out of his personal collection to sell.
- Contact information shows China address
- Several sites using Australian address
- Copy not stamped on obverse or reverse
ACTF encourages collectors, dealers and the general public to report counterfeit coins and precious metals by using the report form at www.ACEFonline.org.
The efforts of the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force are supported entirely by donations made to ACEF, a non-profit corporation. Monetary contributions may be made online at acefonline.org/donate or by check made out to ACEF and mailed to ACEF, 28441 Rancho California Rd., Ste. 106, Temecula, CA 92590. For additional information about donating, contact ACEF Executive Director Bob Brueggeman at info@ACEFonline.org.
Feb 1, 2020 | ACEF/ACTF, News
Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation alerted and assisted investigators in the case
(Camden, NJ) January 29, 2020 – A federal court judge in Camden, New Jersey has sentenced admitted counterfeit coins importer, Johnathan A. Kirschner, 35, of Moorestown, New Jersey, to 10½ years in prison. After being alerted by members of the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEFonline.org) about the sale of counterfeit coins to unsuspecting buyers, investigators discovered and confiscated at Kirschner’s home fake gold and silver coins and bogus ingots that would have been worth more than $46 million if they were genuine, according to ACEF.
Foundation experts also provided ongoing expert assistance to the U.S. Attorney’s office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during the investigation.
In addition to admitting he imported, possessed and sold counterfeit coins, Kirschner admitted he falsely impersonated an agent of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
His sentencing was delayed nearly a year as U.S. District Court Judge Robert B. Kugler received and considered comments from victims, including a dozen sovereign Mints, private mints, and grading services, according to Doug Davis, ACEF Director of Anti-Counterfeiting.
“The lengthy sentence is a major victory. I felt the judge was very thorough in reviewing the evidence and realized the possible high level of fraud that could occur,” stated Richard Weaver, a member of the ACEF Board of Directors and President of the Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) who testified as an expert witness during the sentencing hearing on January 28, 2020.
Weaver, President of Delaware Valley Rare Coins in Broomall, Pennsylvania, played a crucial role in the apprehension of Kirschner, also known under the alias of Jonathan Kratcher.
Two of Kirschner’s victims visited Weaver in early 2017 seeking an evaluation of 49 Morgan dollars they purchased from Kirschner. Weaver examined the coins and informed the couple that all of them were counterfeits.
They two victims told Weaver they trusted Kirschner because he claimed he was an ATF agent selling coins as a side business. He displayed an ATF badge on his Facebook site and wore it when he met with them.
They also told Weaver that they had a tentative appointment with Kirschner to purchase more items in a couple of days. Weaver promptly contacted ACEF’s Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force which in turn alerted federal law enforcement agents who immediately identified the ATF badge shown on Kirschner’s Facebook site as counterfeit.
Working with the couple, ATF and Homeland Security Investigations set up a sting operation with an undercover agent posing as the sister of the couple. Kirchner was arrested in the act of selling counterfeit coins to the undercover agent.
After the arrest, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant of Kirchner’s house and Customs and Border Protection intercepted additional packages shipped to him from China.
Weaver served as law enforcement’s numismatic expert in the Kirchner case, devoting many hours to identifying all the counterfeit coins, bars, and grading service holder components. In addition, he provided a current market value for each item if it had been genuine so that law enforcement can determine the potential harm to victims and to the marketplace.
“The important work of the foundation and the task force are supported entirely by donations,” explained the foundation’s Executive Director Robert Brueggeman whose background is in law enforcement and security. “The ACEF is a 501(c)(3) corporation and all donations to ACEF are tax-deductible.”
For additional information or to make a donation, contact the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation by phone at 817-723-7231, by email info@ACEFonline.org or visit the web site at www.ACEFonline.org.
The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) is a nonprofit organization composed of many of the country’s top rare, paper money and precious metals bullion experts. PNG members must adhere to a strict code of ethics in the buying and selling numismatic merchandise.
Jan 22, 2020 | ACEF/ACTF, Announcements
See it? Report it!
Easily Report Suspected Fakes With Online
Help From Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation
(Temecula, California) January 21, 2020 — The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF) now provides collectors, dealers, the general public and victims of suspected fraud with a convenient and secure way to report information about counterfeit coins, bars, holders, rounds, mint products, paper money or other suspicious counterfeit related activities.
“See it? Report it! If you have information about a counterfeit, you can easily go to the ACEF website, www.ACEFonline.org, and click on the Counterfeit Alert tab, www.acefonline.org/counterfeit-alert/report-a-counterfeit,” explained Doug Davis, ACEF Director of Anti-Counterfeiting.
“From there you are able to report a counterfeit by completing the simple online Counterfeit Report Form. Reports submitted that identify criminal or suspected criminal counterfeit activity are promptly sent to the appropriate local, state and federal law enforcement agencies with the necessary information to initiate a formal investigation,” said Davis, a former Texas Police Chief.
The submitted information received is also analyzed and used to identify emerging trends and patterns, suspects and related offenses. These reports also assist the ACEF Task Force in locating websites, online marketplaces and social media platforms that sell counterfeits.
“The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation is the only entity that makes available to the numismatic industry, law enforcement and the public a centralized location to report counterfeits and suspected criminal activity,” Davis stated.
ACEF and its Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force have worked with more than 20 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to provide expert assistance on more than 80 cases involving counterfeit coins. ACEF also provided expert services to help identify, capture or convict more than 20 suspected sellers of fake coins or bogus precious metal bullion items.
“The important work of the foundation and the task force are supported entirely by donations,” explained the foundation’s Executive Director Robert Brueggeman whose background is in law enforcement and security. “The ACEF is a 501(c)(3) corporation and all donations to ACEF are tax deductible.”
For additional information or to make a donation, contact the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation by phone at 817-723-7231, by email info@ACEFonline.org or visit the web site at www.ACEFonline.org.
Oct 31, 2019 | ACEF/ACTF, Announcements
(Temecula, California) October 30, 2019 — The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEF online.org) has been granted membership into CrimeDex, the world’s largest criminal investigation network composed of more than 4,000 law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and criminal investigators across the United States and around the globe.
“The CrimeDex platform allows members to send out alerts, develop leads, and track criminal trends and patterns,” explained Doug Davis, ACEF Director of Anti-Counterfeiting. “CrimeDex members are from all levels of law enforcement including the Secret Service, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspectors and Homeland Security.”
ACEF assists federal, state, local law enforcement and prosecutors to fight counterfeiting and the sales of counterfeit coins and banknotes, allowing law enforcement agencies to move quickly in the investigation and prosecution of cases.
“Criminals operate without regard for state or international borders and commit crimes in multiple jurisdictions. Partnering with CrimeDex provides ACEF with a major resource to share information and educate law enforcement about the increase of counterfeit coinage within the United States,” said Davis.
“As crimes related to counterfeits grow, rapid and effective information sharing holds the key to combating criminals,” he emphasized.
ACEF and its Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force have worked with more than 20 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to provide expert assistance on more than 80 cases involving counterfeit coins. Davis, a former Texas Police Chief, has conducted several educational seminars for law enforcement personnel in recent months. ACEF also provided expert services to help identify, capture or convict more than 20 suspected sellers of fake coins or bogus precious metal bullion items.
“The important work of the foundation and the task force are supported entirely by donations,” explained the foundation’s Executive Director Robert Brueggeman whose background is in law enforcement and security. “The ACEF is a 501(c)(3) corporation and all donations to ACEF are tax-deductible.”
For additional information or to make a donation, contact the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation at 28441 Rancho California Road, Suite 106, Temecula, CA 92590. The phone number is 951-587-8300. Or visit the web site at www.acefonline.org.
Aug 13, 2019 | ACEF/ACTF, News, PNG
(Rosemont, Illinois) August 13, 2019 – Doug Davis, founder of the Numismatic Crime Information Center (www.NumismaticCrimes.org) and a former Police Chief of the Dallas suburb of Pantego, Texas, has been selected by the nonprofit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF www.ACEFonline.org) to be its next Director of Anti-Counterfeiting.
Davis has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and in helping to combat numismatic-related crimes. He served the past two years as Chair of the Education-Law Enforcement workgroup for the ACEF Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.
The Task Force’s Expert Network is composed of more than 90 volunteer experts who assist local, regional and federal law enforcement agencies on cases involving counterfeit coins and precious metal bullion products. The Task Force also provides education to consumers about how to protect themselves from being defrauded by counterfeit coins and precious metals bars they may encounter.
Beth Deisher
In the past two years, Deisher and the Task Force provided assistance in more than 70 active cases of counterfeit coins and precious metal bullion products being investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General.
In 1987, Davis established the Numismatic Crime Information Center within the Pantego Police Department to assist law enforcement officers in the investigation of crimes against collectors and dealers. Later that same year he was instrumental in assisting the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the development of the National Stolen Coin File.
Both the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild have honored Davis for his work to prevent, combat and solve numismatic-related crimes.
The Board of Directors of the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation is composed of volunteer members of the Professional Numismatists Guild board who handle the administrative duties and assist with fund-raising needed to support the Task Force’s efforts to fight fakes.
“The ACEF is a 501(c)(3) corporation and separate from the PNG. All donations to ACEF are tax deductible. The important work of the foundation and the task force are supported entirely by donations,” explained the foundation’s and PNG’s Executive Director Robert Brueggeman whose background is in law enforcement and security.
For additional information and to make a donation, contact the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation at 28441 Rancho California Road, Suite 106, Temecula, CA 92590. The phone number is 951-587-8300. Or visit the web site at www.acefonline.org.
Mar 29, 2019 | ACEF/ACTF, News, PNG
(Temecula, California) March 28, 2019 – Recently adopted anti-counterfeiting language in the Bylaws of the Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) has been revised to clarify the organization’s commitment to fighting against modern fakes entering the marketplace.
PNG leaders also have now amended anti-counterfeiting language in their Code of Ethics.
“A few people mistakenly thought our recent Code of Ethics change meant that we were endorsing the right of dealers to sell any counterfeit U.S. coins if they simply disclosed to buyers that they were fakes. That’s certainly not the position of the PNG, so our Board of Directors again revised the Bylaws language to address those misconceptions,” explained PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.
“Our Code of Ethics has contained anti-counterfeiting language for decades, and now we have updated that section,” added Brueggeman. “We realize that contemporary counterfeits, dating back to ancient coins as well as unauthorized coins that appeared, for example, during the U.S. Colonial era, are part of numismatic collectibles history. Our fight is against the onslaught of dangerous fresh fakes coming in from China and elsewhere.”
The PNG Board originally adopted these changes, indicated in italics, in the Code of Ethics: “To refrain from knowingly participating in, abetting or dealing in counterfeit, altered, repaired or ‘doctored’ numismatic items without fully disclosing their status to my customers.”
Two sections of the Code of Ethics now have been updated (with new text indicated here in italics) to read:
6) To refrain from knowingly dealing in stolen numismatic items, or buying and selling known modern counterfeit coins, currency or other numismatic materials that are, by law, not legal to possess. 7) To refrain from knowingly participating in, abetting or dealing in altered, repaired or “doctored” numismatic items, contemporary counterfeits, electrotypes, or published forgeries, without fully disclosing their status to my customer and/or making any attempt to deceive.”
“Combatting fakes in the marketplace is a major priority for the Professional Numismatists Guild,” emphasized PNG President Barry Stuppler.
PNG provides administrative assistance to the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEFonline.org), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. ACEF oversees the important work of the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.
For additional information about the Professional Numismatists Guild or the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation, contact the organizations at 28441 Rancho California Road, Suite 106, Temecula, CA 92590. The phone number is 951-587-8300. Or contact ACEF Director of Anti-Counterfeiting Beth Deisher at 567-202-1795.
