Whoever, within the United States, utters, passes, puts off, or tenders in payment, with intent to defraud, any such false, forged, altered, or counterfeited bank note or bill, mentioned in section 482 of this title, knowing the same to be so false, forged, altered, and counterfeited, whether or not the same was made, forged, altered, or counterfeited within the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 273 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 159, 35 Stat. 1118).
Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.
Changes were made in phraseology.
2001—Pub. L. 107–56 substituted “20 years” for “one year”.
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.