Whoever, within the United States, knowingly and with intent to defraud, utters, passes, or puts off, in payment or negotiation, any false, forged, or counterfeited bond, certificate, obligation, security, treasury note, bill, or promise to pay, mentioned in section 478 of this title, whether or not the same was made, altered, forged, or counterfeited within the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §271 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §157, 35 Stat. 1118).
Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.
Changes were made in phraseology.
Amendments
2001—Pub. L. 107–56 substituted "20 years" for "three years".
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $3,000".
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