20th Century Fox and the Franklin Mint created and put into nation-wide circulation 40,000 Silver Surfer quarters to promote the release of Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer last week.  The U.S. Mint issued a statement Friday asserting that it is illegal to turn a coin into an advertising tool and warned that violators could be fined.

Franklin Mint used California commemorative quarters, leaving the George Washington side as is and color-enhancing the back with an image of the Silver Surfer and a Web address associated with the movie.   While Franklin Mint has produced similar licensed coins in the past, they have simply been for sale and not put into circulation.

Those who find a Silver Surfer coin can go to the Website and participate in various sweepstakes with opportunities to attend the world premiere in London and other special screenings. 

Fox also had 20 skydivers and a sky surfer perform at a NASCAR Nextel Cup series race in North Carolina to promote the movie, which opens on June 15th (see 'Best in Shows 2007, Part 1').