Fantastic Four Coin Illegal

Source: WENN

LATEST: A promotional FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER coin to celebrate the movie's release has been deemed illegal.

Marketing bosses collaborated with Franklin Mint to create 40,000 new coins featuring the Silver Surfer's image on one side and George Washington's face on the other, but the commemorative item contravenes tough U.S. laws on producing money.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Mint says, "The promotion is in no way approved, authorised, endorsed or sponsored by the United States Mint, nor is it in any way associated with the United States Mint."

The coins were distributed in America before Memorial Day weekend (26-27May07) in a bid to encourage fans to log on to the website to win film-related prizes.

But it is a federal crime to turn any form of legal tender into advertising, and the makers of the coin are likely to face a fine.

Fox alleges it was unaware of any problem with producing the money, and never suggested "that there was any approval from the U.S. Mint or the U.S. government".

The Franklin Mint says, "(The coins are) commemorative coins like many the Franklin Mint creates on a regular basis for various properties. We were confident this coin followed the same procedures and guidelines but will certainly take any steps if advised otherwise."