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Story
May 7, 1888
Daily Kennebec Journal
Augusta, Kennebec County, Maine
What is this article about?
A treasury detective explains why Italians dominate counterfeit coin operations in the US: they seek modest profits, are skilled in making models, flee harsh penalties at home, and face light US sentences with better prison conditions.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Italian Counterfeiters
"Why do Italians almost hold a monopoly in counterfeit coins?" was asked of a treasury detective.
"There is not money enough in it for natives. These latter want big money. Besides, many Italians are expert at making plaster of paris models, and they came over to avoid detection in their own country, where, I believe, counterfeiting is punished with death. Over here it is just a matter of a year or two, and then when they are in prison they are better fed than when they are free, so that detection has little terror for them. They are satisfied with light profits, and seldom try to dispose of more than a couple of dollars worth at a time among the small stand and storekeepers." - New York Telegram.
"Why do Italians almost hold a monopoly in counterfeit coins?" was asked of a treasury detective.
"There is not money enough in it for natives. These latter want big money. Besides, many Italians are expert at making plaster of paris models, and they came over to avoid detection in their own country, where, I believe, counterfeiting is punished with death. Over here it is just a matter of a year or two, and then when they are in prison they are better fed than when they are free, so that detection has little terror for them. They are satisfied with light profits, and seldom try to dispose of more than a couple of dollars worth at a time among the small stand and storekeepers." - New York Telegram.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Deception Fraud
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Italian Counterfeiters
Counterfeit Coins
Treasury Detective
Plaster Models
Prison Conditions
What entities or persons were involved?
Treasury Detective
Where did it happen?
United States
Story Details
Key Persons
Treasury Detective
Location
United States
Story Details
Treasury detective explains Italian dominance in US counterfeit coin making due to skills, fleeing death penalty at home, light US sentences, better prison food, and small-scale operations for modest profits among small vendors.