Minor coins
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever falsely makes, forges, or counterfeits any coin in the resemblance or similitude of any of the one-cent and 5-cent coins minted at the mints of the United States; or
Whoever passes, utters, publishes, or sells, or brings into the United States, or possesses any such false, forged, or counterfeited coin, with intent to defraud any person, shall be or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 709 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 98–216, §3(b)(1), Feb. 14, 1984, 98 Stat. 6; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB).)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to make fake pennies or nickels. It is also a crime to pass, sell, import, or possess fake pennies or nickels with intent to defraud.