Counterfeiting of United States currency

Arthur Williams Jr.Former American counterfeiter known for replicating the 1996 $100 bill, now a visual artist

• Williams says he now views his money-based artwork as historical preservation because paper currency will soon disappear.

  “soon there won't be currency. Soon there won't be paper currency, you know? Right. And so for me, it's almost like I'm preserving history through my pieces”

  This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von: #681 - Ex-Counterfeiter Arthur Williams Jr. (Sep 8, 2026) · Listen from 2:14:07

• Williams says his regrets concern his family rather than the businesses he passed fake money to, since he felt no guilt about the money itself.

  “the things that I regret are more family. I didn't sell drugs and I wasn't into all that other stuff”

  This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von: #681 - Ex-Counterfeiter Arthur Williams Jr. (Sep 8, 2026) · Listen from 2:00:24

• Williams says he donated counterfeit cash and goods to Salvation Army drop boxes and struggling families, and describes that as among the best periods of his life.

  “I would just tell Natalie, listen, just get diapers, baby clothes, baby shoes, baby toys. Let's go drop them off”

  This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von: #681 - Ex-Counterfeiter Arthur Williams Jr. (Sep 8, 2026) · Listen from 54:46

• Williams says he deliberately spent counterfeit notes at large chains rather than small businesses so losses would fall on corporations.

  “I don't want to go hit a mama pop with a bogus hunter, you know, because I don't want it to pop up on them in their bank and then they get it”

  This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von: #681 - Ex-Counterfeiter Arthur Williams Jr. (Sep 8, 2026) · Listen from 58:50