Forgery (1st Degree) involves forging which type of instrument?

• A. part of an issue of money, stamps, securities, or other valuable instruments issued by a government agency
• B. part of an issue of stock, bonds, or other instruments representing interests in or claims against a corporate or other organization
• C. Forgery of a check
• D. Forging a deed or will

Answer: (A)

First-degree forgery centers on instruments issued by the government that have official value and stand as part of the state’s monetary or fiscal system. Forgeries involving money, government stamps, securities, or other valuable instruments issued by a government agency are treated as the most serious because they directly undermine public trust in the government’s financial instruments. That’s why forging government-issued money, stamps, or securities fits the definition of first-degree forgery.

In contrast, forging a corporate stock or bond involves privately issued instruments and is governed by different forgery provisions or degrees. Forging a check is a form of forgery but is typically categorized separately under offenses involving checks or uttering a forged instrument, not the government-issued instrument category. Forging a deed or will is usually a separate category of fraud or forgery with its own statutory treatment.