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Counterfeit Coins

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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ANAThe 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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British pound coinsAt 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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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

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PCGS Helps Police Nab Counterfeits Suspect

October 29, 2009

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 [...]

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Store clerk tricked with counterfeit coins

October 29, 2009

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 [...]

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Making a Mint Off Fake or Counterfeit Coins

October 27, 2009

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 [...]

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China Battles Domestic Counterfeiters

October 20, 2009

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 [...]

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Millions Lost From Counterfeit Coins

October 13, 2009

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) [...]

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Lots of Chinese fake coins out there

October 12, 2009

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 [...]

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