§471. Obligations or securities of United States

Whoever, with intent to defraud, falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, or alters any obligation or other security of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than fifteen years, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 705 ; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §262 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §148, 35 Stat. 1115 ).

Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

Changes in phraseology were made.

Amendments

1994-Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $5,000".

Short Title of 1992 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–550, title XV, §1551, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4070 , provided that: "This subtitle [subtitle E (§§1551–1554) of title XV of Pub. L. 102–550, enacting section 474A of this title and amending sections 474 and 504 of this title] may be cited as the 'Counterfeit Deterrence Act of 1992'."

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 14, 470, 981, 982, 1961, 2516 of this title.