‘Fantastic Four’ character printed on 40,000 quarters without feds’ approval

[Cannikin]

‘Silver Surfer’ coin steams U.S. Mint


LOS ANGELES - To promote the upcoming film “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” 20th Century Fox and The Franklin Mint altered 40,000 U.S. quarters to feature the character.

The U.S. Mint said in a news release Friday that it learned of the promotional quarter this week and advised the studio and The Franklin Mint they were breaking the law. It is illegal to turn a coin into an advertising vehicle, and violators can face a fine.

The altered coins are quarters honoring the state of California that entered circulation in 2005. They feature George Washington on the front, as usual, but a colorized version of the character on the back. All 40,000 are slated to be in circulation throughout the country by the end of Memorial Day weekend, and about 800 were released in each state.

The Franklin Mint mainly produces collectibles or commemorative medallions. Unlike its other commemorative coins, these aren’t being sold, said Franklin Chairman Moshe Malamud. He emphasized that putting the character on the coin didn’t alter the integrity of the coin.

“We are very, very protective of the currency of this country. Our goal was to enhance the coin,” Malamud said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18873168/

[datasuspect]

1. isn't that a violation of federal law?

defacing currency?

[Deja Q]

3. Quite.

:yoiks:

[Deja Q]

2. If that isn't a vehicle for advertising, what is?

And where's Alberto to rename Moshe to Mud?

[sniffa]

4. on the caLifornia coin!?

that was supposed to be reagan. :cry:

[DS1]

5. Maybe it's time for the Governator to

issue a TOTAL RECALL!

/rimshot


Really though, when a movie franchise offers up a villain as its best asset, there's something wrong. Also, it'll just be another cgi crap-fest like Spiderman3.

[Frank Cannon]

6. Jesus Christ, how could they have been so fucking stupid?

EVERYONE knows that this kind of shit is illegal. How in the hell did they think they could just slide this past the Feds without telling them?

I hope these assholes are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The last thing I want is a pocket full of WalMart and Enzyte "Smilin' Bob" advertisements.

[Bucky]

7. Of course they knew this was illegal, which makes it an even more brilliant move.

It's great marketing for the movie. But the real pay off will be in the collectors' market. These quarters will be worth thousands of dollars in the next few months, since they're one of a kind and will never be reproduced. Plus being outlawed makes they sexy (to wealthy, obsessive comic book dorks, who happen to drive this market).

Kudos to the Franklin Mint!

[Cannikin]

8. Hey now...

I'm a super hero dork, but I don't appreciate the inference that I'm wealthy!