The Silver Law

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Article I — Definition of Counterfeiting

The Zocan Empire defines counterfeiting as:

• The forging, plating, shaving, or altering of any imperial coin, including platinum, gold, electrum, silver, and copper pieces.
• The creation or importation of imitation coins intended to resemble imperial currency.
• The intentional circulation of any coin known or reasonably suspected to be false.

Ignorance or carelessness does not excuse the bearer.

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Article II — On the Sanctity of Imperial Weights

All coinage of the Zocan Empire is bound to strict standards of weight, diameter, and metal purity.
Violations include:

• Filing or scraping edges
• Clipping or trimming metal
• Filling hollowed coins with baser alloys
• Casting overweight coins intended to deceive balances

Such acts constitute treason against the Imperial Treasury.

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Article III — Penalties for Counterfeiting

1. Simple Possession of False Coins

If the bearer proves that the false coin was received without intent:

• The coin is seized and destroyed.
• A fine equal to twice the coin’s face value is levied.
• Repeat possession is treated as complicity.

2. Intentional Use of False Coin

• Public shaming at the Weigher’s Bench
• A fine equal to ten times the attempted value
• Temporary seizure of trade goods at the Bench’s discretion
• Merchants found guilty lose guild standing for one year.

3. Manufacture, Importation, or Distribution

Creating or disseminating counterfeit coins is treason. Standard penalties:

• Confiscation of all property used in the crime
• Marking of the right hand with the Weigher’s Seal
• Ten years of hard labor in minting or mining works
• Permanent loss of guild rights

4. High Treason in Counterfeiting

The following are considered high offenses:

• Counterfeiting platinum coin
• Possessing or producing mint dies
• Acting as part of an organized criminal ring
• Conspiring with nobles, guildmasters, or foreign powers

Penalties may include:

• Life labor sentence
• Banishment beyond the Peninsula
• Execution at the Crown’s discretion

Mint workers convicted of treason face double penalties.

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Article IV — Authorized Testing and Seizure

Only the following may formally declare a coin false:

• Certified Weighers of the Bench
• Guild Assayers
• Treasury Inspectors
• High Constables with two sworn witnesses

These officials may test, seize, or temporarily detain suspects under imperial law.

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Article V — Destruction of False Coins

All counterfeit coins must be delivered to the nearest imperial furnace.

• Copper and silver fakes are melted without record.
• Gold and electrum fakes are logged, then melted under supervision.
• Platinum forgeries require observation by a Crown-appointed magistrate.
• Recovered metals return to treasury stock.

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Article VI — Rewards for Reporting

Citizens who provide information leading to conviction are entitled to:

• One gold piece for minor offenders
• Two electrum pieces per seized mold or die
• One platinum piece for dismantling an organized counterfeiting ring

Knowingly false accusations incur fines.

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Article VII — Border and Caravan Regulations

Caravans and river-traders must:

• Declare all foreign coin at border gates
• Present coin-chests for weighing
• Report suspicious mintings to the nearest Bench

Importing large quantities of non-imperial precious metal without declaration is treated as attempted economic disruption.

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Article VIII — Edict on Noble Mint Marks

Kingdoms, duchies, and baronies may stamp their own heraldic devices on imperial-standard blanks. However:
No noble house may alter size, weight, or metal purity.
Any deviation is counterfeit, regardless of intent.