The Hobby Protection Act

Above, two counterfeit coins, now in the possession of the McKinley County Sheriff. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is a hobbyist, a collector of stuff, whether it involves comic books, coins, toys and other collectible things, the federal government passed the Hobby Protection Act in 1973. It was amended in 2014.

What is the Hobby Protection Act? 

According to Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF):

Hobby Protection Act

The Hobby Protection Act, signed into law Nov. 29, 1973, and amended in 2014, is designed to protect collectors against deceptive reproductions and the manufacture of imitation collectible items. The Federal Trade Commission promulgates rules and regulations under the Hobby Protection Act and is empowered to enforce the law.

Until recently, when I bought two counterfeit silver coins (which were not silver at all), I was unaware of this law. We can thank congress and President Richard Nixon for passing and signing this act into law.

So, for those who are collectors of things that can be counterfeited, here's the Hobby Protection Act.