Article 163: Counterfeiting of Coins

Categories of Coins Protected Against Counterfeiting Under Article 163

• Article $163$ explicitly punishes the counterfeiting of specific categories of coinage:
  • Silver coin of the Philippines or any coin issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
  • Coin of the minor coinage of the Philippines or the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
  • Coin of the currency of a foreign country.

Definition and Scope of Minor Coinage

• Minor coins are explicitly defined as coins below the $10\text{c}$ denomination ($191$, Reyes).

Legal Status of Coins Withdrawn from Circulation

• Former coins that have been withdrawn from circulation can still be counterfeited under Article $163$.
• Rationale for penalizing counterfeiting of withdrawn coins:
  • The act is penalized because of the possibility that the counterfeiter may later apply his trade to the making of coins in actual circulation ($192$, Reyes).

Policy Rationale for Penalizing Foreign Coin Counterfeiting

• Article $163$ penalizes the counterfeiting of coins belonging to foreign currencies.
• Purpose of foreign coin protection:
  • The penalization is intended to protect the public in general ($192$, Reyes).