Section 8. Whoever, with intent to injure or defraud, falsely makes, alters, forges or counterfeits a bank bill or promissory note payable to the bearer thereof or to the order of any person, issued by any incorporated banking company or an instrument described as a United States Dollar Traveller’s Check or Cheque, purchased from a bank or other financially responsible institution, the purpose of which is a source of ready money on cashing the instrument without identification other than the signature of the purchaser, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for life or for any term of years.