Coin Collecting News » Counterfeit Coins

Counterfeit British £1 coins could force reissue

The Web — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:36:06 +0000

There are now so many fake £1 coins in circulation the Royal Mint could be forced to scrap all of the coins and reissue the entire denomination.

Their warning came as new figures indicated there were £41 million fake £1 coins in Britain – one in every 36 in circulation. This is a record level and suggests that the proportion of counterfeit coins had tripled in the last decade. The situation has worsened since last year, when ...

Full Article: Record number of fake £1 coins could force reissue - Telegraph.co.uk

Crude ‘5′ in Morgan dollar coin date gives away fake

Numismatic News — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:42:19 +0000

Many counterfeit coins have one side that is more deceptive than the other. That is the case for the 1895-O Morgan dollar that a dealer and collector asked me to authenticate recently. I found that several characteristics of this fake were interesting enough for me to share with you here.

This fake is die struck. Overall, it is better made than all but a few of the current fakes from China that I have encountered. No telling where or when this coin was made. I have heard that the more money you pay to the manufacturer, the better quality copy you’ll ...

Full Article: Crude '5' in date gives away fake - Numismatic News

Avoiding Silver Eagle Coin Fraud

Susan's Coins Blog — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:44:03 +0000

Question: How Can I Avoid Silver Eagle Coin Fraud and Other Fake Silver Coins?
Coin fraud is an unfortunate reality in the coin collecting marketplace, but you can avoid buying fake silver coins, and avoid coin fraud in general, by learning how to spot fake coins. We will use a fake Silver Eagle to demonstrate some easy steps to avoid buying fake coins ...

Full Article: How Can I Avoid Silver Eagle Coin Fraud and Other Fake Silver Coins? - Susan's Coins Blog

How Fake Plain Edge Dollars Are Made

Susan's Coins Blog — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 04:33:26 +0000

First of all, Godless Dollar email hoaxes aside, not all Presidential Dollars are "Godless Dollars." The term "Godless Dollar" refers only to those dollar coins that are missing the inscriptions on the edge, which include In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum, the date, and the mint mark. The proper term for these dollars is plain edge dollars because the edge is plain, rather than inscribed like it should be ...

Full Article: How to Tell if a Godless Plain Edge Dollar is Fake - Susan's Coins Blog

Detecting Counterfeit Coins by Examining Their Denticles

The Web — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:39:30 +0000

This proof 1878 Shield Nickel looks pretty at first glance, but a more careful evaluation reveals that it's a fake. The old saying, "When a thief kisses you, count your teeth," can be applied to the world of business in many useful ways. And when it comes to counterfeit detection, it is also surprisingly apt, offering some very literal and practical advice.

Most classic coins display an ornamental border surrounding their rims, often consisting of beads or, more commonly, denticles ...

Full Article: Counterfeit Detection: The Kissing Thief - Numismatic Guaranty Corporation

Counterfeit Canadian $2 ‘Toonie’ Legend

NumisMaster — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 03:48:19 +0000

Urban legends have a nasty habit of spreading once their seed has been planted. It appears some carelessly made remarks from a local Toronto merchant that were followed by a report on a television station investigating those remarks may have initiated the latest concerns blossoming into a numismatic urban legend that Canada’s $2 "toonie" coin is being widely counterfeited ...

Full Article: Counterfeit $2 'Toonie' an Urban Legend - NumisMaster

Soldiers returning with fake U.S. coins

The Web — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:57:04 +0000

Jim Everett worries that soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan might be buying their way to their own deaths.

Everett, owner of Tiah’s Coins and Currency on Fort Campbell Boulevard, has accumulated more than 550 seemingly rare coins brought in by soldiers returning from the two countries who’ve been led to believe they’ll make money selling the coins back in the U.S...

Full Article: Soldiers returning with fake U.S. coins - TheLeafChronicle.com

Fakes coins come right to my desk

Numismatic News — Mon, 31 May 2010 22:43:09 +0000

I had an e-mail this morning from Asia. The sender wanted to know if I was interested in trading for coins he had. The images he sent looked like fakes to me.

Now thanks to spam e-mails like this the fakes come right to my desk. I don’t have to search online auctions anymore. Next step I imagine is ...

Full Article: Get ready to fill those album holes - Numismatic News

Coin dealer suspected of selling counterfeit coins

The Web — Wed, 26 May 2010 03:42:43 +0000

A rare-coin dealer is suspected of selling counterfeit coins at a collectibles show at the Antique Warehouse, 1122 Tittabawassee in Kochville Township, held on May 15, State Police Detective Sgt. Gary L. Thomas of the Bridgeport Post says.

"The person that purchased these started to think about how good a deal he got on some of these coins," Thomas said...

Full Article: Rare coin dealer suspected of selling counterfeit coin in Kochville Townships - MLive.com

Counterfeit Detection: Fake 1884-S Morgan Dollar

The Web — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:10:24 +0000

Lest you think spotting fakes is easy, take a look at this 1884-S Morgan Dollar.

Each month in this column, we discuss some of the fundamentals of counterfeit detection, using counterfeit coins as illustrations. To date, the examples shown have not been deceptive. By that, we mean that they would never fool a professional ...

Full Article: Counterfeit Detection: "Superfake" 1884-S Morgan Dollar - Numismatic Guaranty Corporation

Counterfeit Coin Scam Hits Monterey

The Web — Fri, 07 May 2010 05:59:38 +0000

A state wide counterfeit coin scam hits the Central Coast costing one bushiness owner thousands of dollars. The counterfeit coin came in a case and it appeared to be certified by a reputable company. But when they opened the case they found two different coins that had been cut ...

Full Article: Counterfeit Coin Scam Hits Monterey - KION

Counterfeit Coin Detection: Deception Includes Condition

The Web — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:24:32 +0000

One common way that counterfeiters attempt to deceive is by faking wear or damage. This is shown by looking at recently submitted fakes of an 1877 Indian Cent and a 1901-S Barber Quarter.

When it comes to the counterfeiter’s craft, attempts at deception don’t stop after making a fake coin. Most fake coins will also receive some form of ...

Full Article: Counterfeit Detection: Deception Includes Condition - Numismatic Guaranty Corporation

Funny Money (Counterfeit) Exhibition at Federal Reserve Bank of New York

CoinNews — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:08:04 +0000

The Fight of the United States Secret Service against Counterfeit Money opened on Friday, April 9, 2010 at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Counterfeiting money is one of the most common financial crimes in the history of mankind. Often punished severely, it nevertheless continues to the present day.

Organized by the American Numismatic Society, the Federal Reserve Bank and the United States Secret Service, the exhibition gives a unique insight in the workings of the Secret Service in their fight against counterfeiters ...

Full Article: Federal Reserve Bank's Funny Money (Counterfeit) Exhibition - CoinNews

Counterfeit Coin Detection: Pass the Test

The Web — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:09:48 +0000

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

Fakes coins share certain surface characteristics

Numismatic News — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:16:23 +0000

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

Michigan Convention Features Counterfeit Detection Seminar

CoinNews — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:57:07 +0000

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

Counterfeit vs. Authentic 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cents

The Web — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:19:20 +0000

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

Circulating Counterfeit £1 Coin Differences

CoinNews — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:13:00 +0000

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

Man cleared in fake £1 coins case

The Web — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:48:33 +0000

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

Real or Fake Gold: How to Tell the Difference

The Web — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:26:45 +0000

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

Counterfeit Euros Are Detected With an Optical Mouse

The Web — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:27:37 +0000

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

US Mint Consumer Advisory: Imitation Pre-1950 Coinage

United States Mint — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:32:10 +0000

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

Brooklyn Woman Finds Counterfeit Penny Made of Gold

The Web — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:11:35 +0000

One afternoon in March 2007, Jack Daws stepped up to a newsstand in Los Angeles International Airport with a handful of change, including a counterfeit penny made of 18-karat gold that Mr. Daws, a Seattle artist, had fashioned. He carefully put the counterfeit penny, dated 1970, down on the counter, counted out enough change to pay $11.90 for a ...

Full Article: Brooklyn Woman Finds Counterfeit Penny Made of Gold - NYTimes.com

PCGS Helps Police Nab Counterfeits Suspect

CoinNews — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:40:30 +0000

Click to Enlarge: These four photographs show a tampered PCGS encapsulation holder with a fraudulent insert. When the holder was cracked open it revealed that it housed the pictured coins, a genuine 1879 and a genuine Carson City Mint dollar that were split in two along the rim to create an "1879-CC." PCGS experts believe the diagnostic evidence indicates the 1879 Morgan dollar used in this case most likely was an 1879-S. (Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service.)

Information provided to Northern California law enforcement authorities by Professional Coin Grading Service led to the arrest of a suspect who is now under investigation in connection with the sales of fraudulently altered Morgan dollars in tampered PCGS holders for nearly $300,000.

"Genuine, common date Morgan dollars were split into two pieces (front and back along the rim), then adhered to each other in combinations to create the illusion of rare date and mintmarks.

The coins then were placed in tampered PCGS holders to give the coin credibility in the marketplace and to hide the alterations," said Stephen Mayer, Chief Operating Officer of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT), parent company of Professional Coin Grading Service.

Among the fraudulent alterations were "1883-S," "1884-S" and "1903-S" that were deceitfully labeled as PCGS MS65, MS63 and MS64, respectively ...

Full Article: PCGS Helps Police Nab Counterfeits Suspect - CoinNews

Store clerk tricked with counterfeit coins

The Web — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:32:01 +0000

Bill Dismukes has been collecting coins for more than 50 years. "I started with my father," he said in an interview Tuesday. "We collected coins. We had a wonderful time."

Dismukes says what happened at Mid-South Coin Company on Park Avenue last Friday is no surprise to him ...

Full Article: Store clerk tricked with fake coins - WMCTV.com

Making a Mint Off Fake or Counterfeit Coins

The Web — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:31:52 +0000

In addition to Prada handbags, Burberry scarves, UGGS boots, and DVDs of Hollywood movies, Chinese copycats have expanded their counterfeit offerings to collectible coins, including silver dollars and other rare U.S. coins. It’s perfectly legal. In China.

It’s not here in the United States. The problem is, U.S. authorities don’t seem all that concerned. Under the Hobby Protection Act it is not illegal to manufacture replicas of rare coins. However, by law, they must ...

Full Article: Making a Mint Off Fake Coins - FOXBusiness.com

China Battles Domestic Counterfeiters

NumisMaster — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:38:40 +0000

The Peoples’ Republic of China has been in the numismatic hobby news in recent months due to coin replicas originating from China that are being sold elsewhere in the world as genuine coins. This includes coins of Canada, Russia and the United States.

... Well, it appears China may be having problems of its own regarding locally produced counterfeit or replica coins. In fact, since China has been one of several countries that in recent years has suffered from a shortage of circulating coinage it ...

Full Article: China Battles Domestic Counterfeiters - NumisMaster

Millions Lost From Counterfeit Coins

CoinNews — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:38:06 +0000

Chinese-made counterfeit coins pose a significant financial threat to unsuspecting consumers, according to leaders of five of the country’s most influential rare coin organizations. They warn the public is spending millions of dollars on fake U.S. coins offered in online auctions and elsewhere, such as flea markets and swap meets.

In a jointly-issued consumer advisory (below) the groups caution the public not to purchase any so-called "replica" coins because they may be in violation of federal law. They also urge consumers to only purchase genuine rare coins from reputable, professional dealers or face the risk of losing money on copies that are illegal to re-sell ...

Full Article: Millions Lost From Counterfeit Coins - CoinNews

Lots of Chinese fake coins out there

Numismatic News — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:11:33 +0000

At the American Numismatic Association Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colo., I had the opportunity to look in on a class dealing with the Chinese counterfeiting threat taught by Dr. Gregory Dubay and Beth Deisher. I could only stay about 20 minutes but it was a real eye-opener.”

Dubay has divided the fake coins into several categories based on how deceptive each is ... I recommend that readers attend this presentation if you get the chance ...

Full Article: Lots of Chinese fakes out there - Numismatic News

Forgers Show Innovation

Coin Values — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:22:42 +0000

Coin World has taken an active role in disseminating information about the recent infiltration of fake coins that are coming into the United States from production facilities in China.

The good news? The hobby's awareness ...

Full Article: Forgers Show Innovation - Coin Values

Replica Coins from China Pass as Real

NumisMaster — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:15:13 +0000

Sight unseen buying has always been a risky part of the coin business. That is a major reason why slabbing became popular. If you can't physically examine the coin you want to buy you need some assurance the coin is genuine and that the coin is properly graded.

Fortunately slabbing came along before the current popularity of the Internet. Raw or unslabbed coins are sold on the Internet, but if you watch the prices realized you'll notice such coins typically sell for...

Full Article: Replica Coins from China Pass as Real on Web Sites - NumisMaster

Counterfeiting Almost Pays Off in Bahrain

NumisMaster — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:19:39 +0000

One of the major downfalls of most counterfeiters is that they can't match the quality a mint or security bank note printing facility can produce. Technology being what it is, counterfeiting has become more challenging due to innovation. Coinage may have a lettered or reeded edge, holographic type devices, enhanced color, or may be of a ringed bimetal or trimetal composition, all of which help to foil the counterfeiter...

Full Article: Counterfeiting Almost Pays Off in Bahrain - NumisMaster

Islands’ Bimetallic Coins Counterfeit

NumisMaster — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:38:00 +0000

The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands has issued a warning that nine bimetallic pieces currently being offered for sale and purporting to be 2-pound coins issued by the Islands have not been authorized by them.

The obverse of all coins carries an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley along with the words "South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands" plus the 2008 date...

Full Article: Islands' Bimetallic Coins Counterfeit - NumisMaster

‘Fat Man’ Dollars Turn Out to be Counterfeit

NumisMaster — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:26:25 +0000

Back in the April issue of World Coin News we examined a Chinese 1914 Yuan that collectors affectionately refer to as the "Fat Man" dollar. Two of these were sent to me that were struck with dies that are so weak in detail that the owner suspected them to be counterfeits.

At first glance, both coins also appeared to be double-struck in the collar but unlike most in-collar double strikes, one of them has normal reeding while the other seems to have normal reeding in some areas and then tightly spaced "double reeding" in other places...

Full Article: 'Fat Man' Dollars Turn Out to be Counterfeit - NumisMaster

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Fake Coins

CoinNews — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:29:55 +0000

The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands has been alerted to the existence of a collection of nine metallic pieces depicting various UK places and which purport to be coins issued by this Administration.

The obverse of these apparently Bi-Metallic pieces carries an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the wording South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the date 2008.

Reverse images recorded are Chester Penny, Edinburgh, Horse Guards of London, Lincoln Cathedral, The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Westminster School, Windsor Castle, and York Castle Museum...

Full Article: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Fake Coins

eBay pulls phony Canadian coins

The Web — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:43:17 +0000

An Eastern Ontario man is rejoicing in the recent success of his two-year campaign to get counterfeits of classic Canadian coins dropped from eBay.

But it was a long and often frustrating haul for Mike Marshall, a collector and military retiree. Marshall, 48, he first faced a wall of uninterest and dismissal from police, plus officials in Ottawa, he said in an interview from Trenton...

Full Article: eBay pulls phony Canadian coins - Canoe.ca

How to Avoid Purchasing Counterfeit Coins

The Web — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:10:28 +0000

The issue of counterfeit numismatic items produced in China and imported into the United States has become a "hot button" topic the past year.

Counterfeit U.S. coins, some housed in counterfeit Professional Coin Grading Service and Numismatic Guaranty Corp. holders, are now a numismatic fact of life. And the industry suddenly has a sense of urgency and outrage about the "problem." But I have a very strong opinion that this isn't all that it seems, and I know that coin buyers, both collectors and dealers, can easily avoid the issue altogether. It's really quite simple...

Full Article: How to Avoid Purchasing Counterfeit Coins - PCGS

Hobby Leaders Discuss Anti-Counterfeiting Actions

CoinNews — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:41:10 +0000

Leaders of five of the hobby and profession’s most influential organizations are launching a multi-pronged consumer awareness and protection campaign against counterfeit numismatic items sold and imported from China and elsewhere.

The organizations in alphabetical order are the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA), Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG).

Representatives of the five groups participated in a preliminary teleconference call on May 7, 2009, and then met in Long Beach, California on May 27 to discuss a coordinated plan of action. The groups recognize that counterfeiting can’t be completely stopped, but that efforts can be made to reduce the easy availability of fakes and to educate coin buyers about common sense ways to avoid unwittingly purchasing them...

Full Article: Hobby Leaders Discuss Anti-Counterfeiting Actions

Chinese Fakes Get Harder to Spot Over Time

NumisMaster — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:33:08 +0000

Large scale counterfeiting operations are not new. We numismatists can consider ourselves lucky because in the past, most of these operations have concentrated on our country's circulating paper currency.

Nevertheless, about 30 years ago, one American Numismatic Association member was reported to have visited a large counterfeiting operation in Beirut, Lebanon. The fakers were striking our coins on a...

Full Article: Chinese Fakes Get Harder to Spot Over Time - NumisMaster

Check both sides of the coin

The Web — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:17:06 +0000

Among all the collectible items you might want to diversify your investment portfolio with, rare coins offer the most potential for profit, as there are more wealthy coin collectors than there are say, collectors of stamps, baseball cards, comic books or just about anything else.

Sadly, counterfeiters have figured this out too. A simple search on eBay and a few online auction sites show that it's common for rare coins to attract bids of $1,000 or more - and that means huge profits for those who can pass off counterfeits bought for a few dollars as the real thing...

Full Article: Check both sides of the coin - Financial Post

Counterfeit British £1 coins

NumisMaster — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:39:18 +0000

What percentage of British £1 coins in circulation are counterfeit? The latest official figure released by the British Royal Mint indicates about one in 40 coins or about 2.5 percent of all "round pounds" in use are fakes. This is an increase from the number of counterfeits detected in the past, but is the figure accurate?

Not according to the British Broadcasting Corporation. In an April 8 BBC report the BBC relied on figures provided by a private British company called Willings for statistics...

Full Article: How Many 'Round Pounds' are Counterfeit? - NumisMaster

One in 20 £1 coins could be fake, experts say

The Web — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:53:11 +0000

Royal Mint figures last year suggested that 2 per cent of the coins – around 30 million in total – were fakes, but in January that figure was increased to 2.5 per cent.

But Andy Brown, managing director at Willings, a company which tests coins collected at car parks and in vending machines, said the machines used by the Royal Mint to test for fakes were not accurate enough...

Full Article: One in 20 £1 coins could be fake, experts say - Telegraph

Sound Determines if Coins are Sound

NumisMaster — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:41:08 +0000

It has been pointed out in the "Around the World" column in the past that with coins increasingly replacing low denomination bank notes in circulation there has been a renewed interest in counterfeiting circulating coinage worldwide.

The call to arms now includes recruiting Mototsugu Suzuki, a Japanese scientist with a doctorate in applied physics from Osaka University, who has recently developed a new counterfeit coin detection method for the Yomiuri Metropolitan Police Department...

Full Article: Sound Determines if Coins are Sound - NumisMaster

Counterfeiters and Authenticators Do Battle

NumisMaster — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:18:14 +0000

Recently, I wrote a brief synopsis covering the evolution of counterfeit coins that I have witnessed since becoming a professional authenticator in 1972. To continue along this track, let's roll back the clock a few years and review some of the characteristics commonly seen on older struck counterfeits.

One was the lack of relief and the "style" of the letters in the legend. During the transfer process used to prepare many fake dies, the shape of the original coin's parts was spread out and became slightly rounded. Hence, the counterfeit did not appear to be as sharply defined as the genuine specimen...

Full Article: Counterfeiters and Authenticators Do Battle - Numismaster

Story of fakes gets new chapter in China

Numismatic News — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:56:29 +0000

Our hobby is under attack in a way that calls for some drastic changes in order to protect the marketplace from a new plague of deceptive counterfeits. In two columns, I’ll trace earlier generations of bogus coins, explore some of the new fakes from China and suggest some possible ways to remedy the problem of these counterfeits.

Counterfeiting is probably older than the first coins; while alterations made to items considered as money may have preceded that. Nevertheless, let’s begin well after this period and consider the era of struck coinage...

Full Article: Story of fakes gets new chapter in China - Numismatic News

Fantasy Euro Coins on the Rise

NumisMaster — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:54:02 +0000

Collector coins are not the only coins that have recently experienced a surge in being counterfeited. Stamp collectors refer to fantasy issues as "cinderellas," these being items that appear to be stamps but are not recognized as such by any stamp issuing authority. Fantasy issues are a problem in coin circles as well, with the large increase in the number of fantasy issues mimicking European Union euro denominated coins having become big business in recent years.

Full Article: Fantasy Euro Coins on the Rise - NumisMaster

Counterfeiter Reveals Fake PCGS Slab Diagnostics – photo of Susan Headley Susan’s Coins Blog

The Web — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:15:35 +0000

Early in 2008, the coin collecting marketplace was hit with a series of fake grading service holders, or slabs. The first to be hit was NGC, when counterfeit NGC holders showed up at coin shows and online. Rumors were rampant about fake ANACS and ICG slabs, although I never saw any concrete proof that large numbers of them had emerged recently. Then in March, the other big grading service got hit hard; PCGS fakes were coming out of China, with counterfeit coins in them, and these slabs were reputed to be so dangerous that they could fool the experts.

Read article: Counterfeiter Reveals Fake PCGS Slab Diagnostics - photo of Susan Headley Susan's Coins Blog

Concern Grows Over Counterfeit British Pounds – NumisMaster

The Web — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:28:49 +0000

When the British Royal Mint took a sampling of the £1 coins in circulation five years ago during 2003 the mint concluded about 1 percent of the circulating "round pounds" was a counterfeit. This was of little concern when compared to counterfeit coins elsewhere.

The BRM once again has sampled the £1 coins in circulation. This time it appears the number of counterfeits in commerce has doubled, indicating perhaps as many as one in every 50 £1 coins in commerce is now bogus.

Read article: Concern Grows Over Counterfeit British Pounds - NumisMaster

Hoskins knew how to spot a counterfeit – Numismatic News

The Web — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:39:02 +0000

This month as a tribute to the memory of Charles Hoskins, my former boss and mentor, I’ll share with you what I remember about my first authentication lesson at ANACS in 1972.

Hoskins was the first director of the American Numismatic Association Certification Service. In the beginning, ANACS was a two-person operation on an upper floor of an old office building overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. If you have ever seen an old movie from the 1940s or 1950s with a detective’s office, you’ll understand the setting.

Read article: Hoskins knew how to spot a counterfeit - Numismatic News

Counterfeit Pound Coins Double, How to Detect a Fake £1

The Web — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:19:55 +0000

The number of counterfeit £1 coins in circulation has doubled in the last five years, according to new figures released by the Royal Mint and reported by the BBC. Two percent or 1 in 50 pound coins are fake, and based on production, that would account for some 30 million counterfeit £1s circulating.

Read article: Counterfeit Pound Coins Double, How to Detect a Fake £1