According to federal law, counterfeit coins are illegal to possess, buy or sell. Hence, once a victim becomes aware that a coin is counterfeit, he/she should turn it over to the nearest Secret Service agent or local law-enforcement official. Often that is impractical because of distance or law enforcement being reluctant to spend time to recover one or two counterfeit items, especially fake coins.
Having the word “COPY” incused on either the back or front of a counterfeit coin renders it legal to possess, in compliance with the Hobby Protection Act.
Problem: Other than private mints, there a few companies or individuals who have the knowledge and equipment to properly stamp the word COPY on a counterfeit coin.
As a public service, the non-profit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF) will properly mark COPY on up to three counterfeit coins per owner free of charge at Table No. 109 located on the bourse during the Florida United Numismatists show Jan. 9–12 in the Orange County Convention Center, North Concourse, Hall NB located at 9400 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819.
Attend the FUN show and have your fakes properly marked. Then spend some time on the FUN bourse viewing real coins and getting to know real professional numismatists whom you can trust to deal fairly with customers, whether buying or selling!