Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§478 Foreign Obligations or Securities
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 25 — COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY › § 478
Summary
In the United States, faking foreign government papers like bonds or treasury notes as money, intending to cheat, is punishable by a fine, prison up to 20 years, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §478
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, within the United States, with intent to defraud, falsely makes, alters, forges, or counterfeits any bond, certificate, obligation, or other security of any foreign government, purporting to be or in imitation of any such security issued under the authority of such foreign government, or any treasury note, bill, or promise to pay, lawfully issued by such foreign government and intended to circulate as money, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 270 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 156, 35 Stat. 1117). 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 also made in phraseology.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2001—Pub. L. 107–56 substituted “20 years” for “five years”. 1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 478
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102