---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 291"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "291"
heading: "Stamping with words “United States assay”, etc., unlawful"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/291"
units:
  - "Chapter 8 — Falsely Stamped Gold or Silver or Goods Manufactured Therefrom"
---

# §291. Stamping with words “United States assay”, etc., unlawful


It shall be unlawful for any [person](/usc/15/299.md?p=b), partnership, association, or corporation engaged in commerce among the several [States](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2), Territories, District of Columbia, and possessions of the United States, or with any foreign country, to stamp any gold, silver, or goods manufactured therefrom, and which are intended and used in such commerce, with the words “United States assay”, or with any words, phrases, or [devices](/usc/15/55.md?p=d) calculated to convey the impression that the United States Government has certified to the fineness or quality of such gold or silver, or of the gold or silver contained in any of the goods manufactured therefrom. Each and every such stamp shall constitute a separate offense.


## Source credit

(Feb. 21, 1905, ch. 720, § 1, 33 Stat. 732.)