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"Counterfeiting and treason are the only two crimes mentioned in the Constitution."
Counterfeiting has been around as long as currency. Making a Buck covers the history of counterfeiting from the ancient world on up into modern times. About 1 hour and 45 minutes, this documentary discusses some of history's most famous counterfeiters, how counterfeiting has been used to undermine the economy, how and why the Secret Service (US) was created, and the measures the US government takes today to thwart counterfeiters.
Making a Buck starts out with the story of a regular guy turned counterfeiter, what motivated him, how he made money from home, and how he was caught. From there, it goes into the first cases of counterfeiting in Ancient Greece, simultaneous with the first coinage stamped in the Greek province of Lydia. From there, Making a Buck travels to Revolutionary War America and some of the heists perpetrated by the con men of the time. Next, the documentary looks at counterfeiting during World War II including the Nazi plan to deluge England with counterfeit bills in an attempt to wreck its economy. Then the exploits and capture of The Magician, an infamous counterfeiter in England, are explored. The film finishes with modern innovations added to the US dollar to fight counterfeiting schemes (more common since the age of the computer and sophisticated printers available to the average man).
America and England are the main focuses of Making a Buck. It is an interesting show, but people looking for information on counterfeiting outside of these two countries may wish to pursue another source.
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