(TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA) As the fight against counterfeiting within the numismatics community continues more individuals and groups are joining the effort, and adopting language that supports this critical endeavor.
In a recent example of this deepening commitment and expanded efforts to create greater awareness, the Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) revised its recently adopted anti-counterfeiting language within its bylaws to clarify the organization’s commitment to fighting modern fakes entering the marketplace.
“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.”
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.
