Contemporary Counterfeits

I think it is important for collectors to make themselves aware of `counterfeits' that may exist for the range of coins they collect BEFORE they unwittingly end up with a few in their collection.

The subject of `World Coins' is vast and many collectors fail to realise that through the ages very few coins indeed have managed to escape the attention of counterfeiters. On the one hand we collectors are fortunate that the quality of the counterfeiters `art' is generally poor and therefore detection is relatively easy. On the other hand, there are fakes out there that are dangerously deceptive. While there is no reason to suspect every coin that comes your way as being a potential counterfeit, it does pay to know the characteristics of the coins you collect as well as make yourself aware of counterfeits that are known to exist.

 

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Sorry did not realy word that to well but yes that is what I meant to say :thumb:


De Orc

 

More info on the Israeli Forgeries....


LINK
Bethlehem - Ma'an - Many Palestinian merchants and store keepers have confirmed that the Israeli five shekel coin is easily forged and is widespread in the Palestinian territories. However, it can be easily identified.

Ma'an News Agency has acquired one of these forged pieces, which are now spreading throughout the occupied Palestinian territories. The coin can be identified easily because, although it appears almost perfectly shaped, it seems to be made from copper which is apparent when scratched.

This phenomenon of forged 5 shekel coins is going to mainly affect those Palestinians of low income as better off Palestinians and businessmen do not require such small change. Five Israeli shekels is a little over one US dollar.

A 15-year-old boy told Ma'an that he felt so ashamed when he went to buy something from a shop and he was told by the shopkeeper that the coin was forged.

Another local man told Ma'an that a Palestinian criminal gang travelled to China and asked a local factory to fabricate a large quantity of these coins. They then brought these forged coins to the Palestinian territories, the man said. However, no official source has been able to confirm this.

Ma'an News Agency is endeavouring to obtain official answers from the relevant official departments, especially in regards to advice for ordinary people who acquire such coins.



You can find one of these at the bottom of the following link... http://isracoins.com/P28.htm

 

I read about these forgeries of the 5 Sheqalim coin in the British 'Coin News'.They surely are very deceptive to the untrained eye.

Aidan.

 

Details of this type of counterfeit have been posted on the Bank of Israel site at: http://www.bankisrael.gov.il/press/eng/060629/060629e.htm

Regards,

Robert

 

Great way to detect counterfeits.

Will genuine coins without a scratch turn out to be valuable in a few years?

 

:mouth:

 

I reckon the Bank of Israel is looking at the disruption of commerce in which Palestinian insurgents are striking these worthless counterfeits and using them not only to make merchants question the value and worth of the currency but to also fund further insurgent activities against the country.

One must remember, counterfeiting is illegal and those who counterfeit are criminals...

 

I feel a bit fishy about this ebay item...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/King-George-V...534QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170086984457

 

Biju,that looks O.K.,even though it has a black look to it from being well circulated,considering the fact that India has a very hot climate.Maybe that is why the Indians can play cricket all year round.

Aidan.

 

:mouth: Aidan, that may be right.. Here, we usually recognise these coins by its tone and the colour of dirt in it... I dont think a silver coin will get dirty like that in ordinary Indian climate.. Either it is a fake or it has endured a lot of hardships.. On seeing this particular coin, my first impression was negative.. The first thing we will look on a George V coin here is the head... Somehow, it will reveal if it is forged..

 

Biju,the Order of the British India chain on the shoulder & chest also provides clues as well to detecting forgeries.

Aidan.