From the category archives:
A basic lesson will help you always catch fakes, like this 1895-O Morgan Dollar, which could be deceptive to many. In high school history class, a student asks his teacher, "Do I need to memorize dates for tomorrow’s test?" The teacher replies, "No dates."
Encouraged, the young student goes home and studies hard, following the teacher’s instruction. The next day he fails the test. Miserably ...
Full Article: Counterfeit Detection: Pass the Test - NGC
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If someone asks you to name some of the defects commonly found on counterfeit coins what would you say? What would you look for on a coin that you suspected to be counterfeit?
Did you say weight? One authenticator that I have worked with routinely weighed any coin he suspected might not be genuine. I cannot argue with his thoroughness, yet there were many times I had to suppress a smile or ...
Full Article: Fakes share certain surface characteristics - Numismatic News
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The one-day seminar, "Introduction to Counterfeit Detection of United States Coins," will be offered April 22 at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn in Dearborn, Mich.
The seminar is presented through the ANA’s Florence Schook School of Numismatics, and is in conjunction with the Michigan State Numismatic Society’s Spring Convention, April 23-25.
Join instructor Mike Ellis, noted numismatist and variety specialist, and learn how to detect counterfeit and altered coins seen in the marketplace today. All types and denominations of U.S. coins will be discussed, with genuine and counterfeit specimens present for hands-on ...
Full Article: Michigan Convention Features Counterfeit Detection Seminar - CoinNews
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The 1909-S VDB Lincoln has always been the key date coin in the entire Lincoln cent series, and it remains one of the most popular coins in numismatics.
Since the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent has always been highly desired among collectors, it is notorious for attracting counterfeiters. There are many fake 1909-S VDB Lincoln cents out there in the market and at PCGS, we have seen many different types of fakes ...
Full Article: Counterfeit vs. Authentic 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cents - PCGS
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At the end of December 2009, the Police Service of Northern Ireland issued advice to the public following reports that a number of counterfeit £1 coins had been detected in circulation across Northern Ireland.
The Royal Mint supports this advice and is seeking to correct an inaccuracy that has been reported in the Northern Irish media. It has been suggested in some reports that £1 coins created in 2008 with heraldic designs that do not have beading (i.e. a ring of small elevated circles around the edge) are counterfeit. This is incorrect.
There were two separate £1 coin designs created in 2008, one with beading and one without. Both are genuine legal tender and not counterfeit. The beading was removed on one version as part of a design initiative. It may not ...
Full Article: Circulating Counterfeit £1 Coin Differences - CoinNews
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A 65-year-old man has been found not guilty of running a factory producing counterfeit £1 coins in Kent. Paul Bart, from Hertfordshire, was cleared at Maidstone Crown Court of making fake coins, and having counterfeiting materials.
He was also found not guilty of possessing fake coins with a view to ...
Full Article: Man cleared in fake £1 coins case - BBC News
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As paper currencies lose what luster they never really had, precious metals become more valuable and susceptible to counterfeiting. The incentive is simple; give someone less of what is valuable, while convincing them they got what they bargained for, and keep the difference for yourself. Since the earliest times, gold coins were "shaved" to remove metal from the coin, lowering the weight. This needs ...
Full Article: Real or Fake Gold: How to Tell the Difference - BeforeItsNews.com
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The sensor of some optical mice can be used to easily and cheaply detect counterfeit euros, according to a study published by researchers of the University of Lleida (UdL) in the scientific journal Sensors.
Almost 80% of counterfeit coins discovered in Europe in 2008 were two-euro coins. The sensor, incorporated in optical computer mice, is usually used to guide cursor movement, but can also be used as a counterfeit coin detector. This ...
Full Article: Counterfeit Euros Are Detected With an Optical Mouse - Science Daily
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The United States Mint is aware of recent reports that some companies in China are producing unmarked imitations of pre-1950 United States coins and are selling them on-line. This practice not only exploits unwary consumers and collectors, but also may violate Federal law. Both consumers and coin collectors should be aware of this practice and should exercise vigilance and good judgment when purchasing pre-1950 coins.
The Hobby Protection Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 2101–2106) outlaws manufacturing or importing imitation numismatic items unless they are marked in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Specifically, any such imitation numismatic item intended to be introduced or distributed in commerce must be plainly and permanently marked "copy." To read the FTC's 1998 Consumer Alert on Investing in Rare Coins, visit the Better Business Bureau's webpage, http://www.bbb.org/us/article/4740.
In addition, these imitation coins may violate Federal counterfeiting laws (18 U.S.C. §§ 485, 489 & 490). The United States Mint has no Federal criminal enforcement authority. Rather, it refers such matters to the United States Secret Service, which is lawfully authorized to detect and arrest any person who violates any Federal law relating to United States coinage (18 U.S.C. § 3056(b)(2)). For more information on counterfeit coins, visit the United States Secret Service's webpage, http://www.treas.gov/usss/money_coins.shtml.
United States Mint Consumer Alerts
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