Replica Coins, Why?

I'm often asked, "What are the differences between numismatic counterfeits and legal coin reproductions?" Forgeries of genuine ancient and modern coins fabricated to trick and defraud collectors and investors are illegal. Section 2101 of the Hobby Protection Act of 1973 describes requirements for coin reproduction of numismatic items:

"The manufacture in the United States, or the importation into the United States, for introduction into or distribution in commerce any imitation numismatic item which is not plainly and permanently marked "copy", is unlawful and is an unfair or deceptive act or practice in commerce under the Federal Trade Commissioner Act [15 U.S.C.41 et al.]"

Are there legitimate uses for legal coin replicas? Yes, I have found four uses. First, serious numismatic collectors use coin reproductions as substitutes for missing rare and expensive pieces. Often private collectors have valuable ancient coin collections. Due to security and insurance restrictions, they buy legal coin reproductions to keep and enjoy at home. Often smaller collectors of ancient coins cannot afford rare original pieces. Many early and modern coin collectors are unable to 'fill holes' in collections due to price and scarcity. Legal casts or die struck coin reproductions of ancient and modern coins fill collectors needs.

Second, the academic community, scholars, and teachers use specific historical coins to make the physical connection to the history their students study. For example, the Roman 'eid mar' denarius of Brutus celebrates Julius Caesar's assassination in 44 B.C. The story of the "Widows Mite" is more real to the a Biblical student when he holds the a replica of the small ancient Jewish bronze lepton that Mark called a 'widows mite.' Historical replica coin collections of covering historical themes or periods are popular with amateur historians.

Third, theatrical productions use legal replica coins as props in the production of movies; television programs such as the History Channel and Myth Busters; religious Passion plays; and historical reenactments Legal historical coin reproductions have been used as gifts for cast members of Broadway plays.

Fourth, legal coin replicas have commercial uses for businesses, associations, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies. Casts of legal replicas are used in direct marketing, customer gifts and fund raising. Some commercial projects require the production of large quantities of legal reproductions. It is more economical for a private mint to manufacture these pieces in volume. Legal replicas are add-ons to other products. A good example is the inclusion of legal die struck English six pence replicas packaged with Christmas English plum puddings. Die struck coin replicas are used as advertising tokens with a coin obverse (front) showing the legal copy of a historical coin and the reverse (back) presenting a business message. Legal coin replicas are often integrated into the designs of commemorative tokens and coins for businesses and governmental agencies. For example, legal replica Viking tokens were manufactured for use at the settlement Lief Ericsson established in Newfoundland.

Warren D. Smith has been a coin collector for over 30 years. He is a consultant, retailer, and manufacturer of legal coins and tokens for collectors, museum stores, theatrical productions, and businesses.
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Do you need a license to produce replicas, in order to make them legal?

I have purchased 6 replica coins. For some, the actual coins are so rare that I will probably never own them, so these were to fill holes. For others, they were just a curiosity.

Replica coins I own:
1787 Fugio Cent (curiosity)
1856 Flying Eagle cent (rare/curiosity)
1861 CSA Half Dollar (curiosity)
1776 Fugio Dollar (curiosity)
1795 Flowing Hair Dollar (rare)
1804 Bust Dollar (rare, but I was lucky to actually find one)

At a recent coin show I purchased a 1856 Flying Eagle cent for $5. It really looked real except for the weight since it was plastic. Sort of expensive for plastic. Fits right in an Album and makes it look full finally.

I am a beginning coin collector with an interest in Biblical coins. I purchased a set of replica coins from *** Edited by Staff - Please Review the rules that you agreed to when you registered. *** and I must say I am delighted with these coins, even though they are all replicas.

I would never be able to own an actual item of many of these coins. They are advertised as "museum quality" and I would have to agree with that, except that each coin has the word "REPLICA" stamped into the back side.

This set is perfect to share with other Bible students while studying how coins impacted people in Biblical times, and I for one am happy for sets like this to be available.

Why do I buy them?

1. For educational purposes to help myself and our CCF family learn how to differentiate the fakes:
https://goccf.com/t/119357
https://goccf.com/t/86970
https://goccf.com/t/111806
https://goccf.com/t/88816
https://goccf.com/t/88814

2. Hole fillers in the album when my keys are slabbed (and I only slab them so if something happens to me, my wife/kids will know to pay more attention to them b/c I do not like the whole slabbing concept anyway).

3. Fun - when talking Carr's fantasy coins. As an example, its fun to see someone wondering how in the world I got a 1975 Eisenhower dollar!

Yes, I felt weird buying form the Chinese factory making the fakes, but I also knew it would be the only way to get an education so I would not be easily fooled. I also know that factory is not making the volume it used to since on the last order (last year sometime), he could not fill the order since he "was not making them anymore." He had quit making Canadian fakes a couple years ago. There probably is someone else still doing them though - although I have not been able to find them.

On the discussion of fakes and copies, if you ever want to see some great ones, find a magic store. There is one not far from me and I go there once in a while for odd coins. Many two headed or two tailed ones of all denominations. Even Ike dollars. Hollowed out cents to fit a dime. Magnetic coins to stick to a steel ring or stell copies to stick to a magnetic ring and many, many other odd coins.
I used to have a small collection of those coaster sized copies but gave to a kid. Those were great looking.