I know I've haven't posted for a long time on here but thats because I've not really had much to report.
Perhaps public knowledge of the fake £1 problem has caused this distinct reduction in the number of fakes I've seen lately. Only had a few of the normal Celtic Cross, 3 Lions and Egyptian Arch fakes, but none with any different date on to what I've already had in the past.
What about yourselves??
Friday, 17 June 2011
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Coming Soon - Probably.....
Local shops are now heavily distributing the 2009 & 2010 Royal Standard pound coin, in its full shiny glory, but I have yet to see the 2010 London and Belfast pound coins in circulation, and the 2011 Cardiff & Edinburgh coins are due for release soon, according to Royal Mint.
How long will it be before we see these designs ''replicated''??
100 Spotter Points on offer!!!!
How long will it be before we see these designs ''replicated''??
100 Spotter Points on offer!!!!
Its getting near Christmas and no-one has time to check their change!!
Since my last blog entry, things have started to rise again in the ''Fake Stakes'' as previously national publicity fades away until the next banner headline.
Anyway, to add to my list of personally seen fakes, I can now add;
2000 Welsh Dragon - very good one, took me ages to decide its validity...or lack of it!!
2001 Celtic Cross - one of the most common fakes
2006 Egyptian Arch
and it had to happen sooner or later,
2008 Royal Standard - am convinced this is a fake but am still pondering
Anyway, to add to my list of personally seen fakes, I can now add;
2000 Welsh Dragon - very good one, took me ages to decide its validity...or lack of it!!
2001 Celtic Cross - one of the most common fakes
2006 Egyptian Arch
and it had to happen sooner or later,
2008 Royal Standard - am convinced this is a fake but am still pondering
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Newest Fake is my Newest Fake
Having not blogged on this subject for a while as the recent fakes I've gathered have been ones that I've previously recorded on my own lists, this month I've got two I'd never personally had before but assume others have already seen and recorded.
First I got about 3 weeks ago, a 3 Lions pound coin with the year date of 1991
Then when collecting my football betting winnings at the ground after todays match, I got.........a Millenium Gateshead Bridge with the year date of 2008 (when this coin should actually be a 2007).
DN, have you got one of these?
First I got about 3 weeks ago, a 3 Lions pound coin with the year date of 1991
Then when collecting my football betting winnings at the ground after todays match, I got.........a Millenium Gateshead Bridge with the year date of 2008 (when this coin should actually be a 2007).
DN, have you got one of these?
Saturday, 31 July 2010
NCP Don't Take but They Do Give!!
Most of the coin-operated machines at modern day car parks have machines that can detect fake coins, so even if you did try to pass off a fake, you couldn't.
However it doesn't stop them putting fakes in the change dispenser section of the machine!
Only this morning did I park at an NCP car park and return to the car with £3.10 to pay at the machine. As I only had a £20 note on me, I fed it into the machine and hey presto 16 one pound coins and the 90p, all in change.
One of the £1 coins was a 2003 Ornamental Arms fake...now how did it get into the change. Obviously it was put there on purpose by an NCP employee............how many more are in that machine waiting to be dispensed???
DOUBLE STANDARDS ME THINKS!!
However it doesn't stop them putting fakes in the change dispenser section of the machine!
Only this morning did I park at an NCP car park and return to the car with £3.10 to pay at the machine. As I only had a £20 note on me, I fed it into the machine and hey presto 16 one pound coins and the 90p, all in change.
One of the £1 coins was a 2003 Ornamental Arms fake...now how did it get into the change. Obviously it was put there on purpose by an NCP employee............how many more are in that machine waiting to be dispensed???
DOUBLE STANDARDS ME THINKS!!
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Increase of Fakes in my change
After having a few 'lean' months I've noticed that May and June have been more busy on the fake front, with a couple of new types that I'd heard about before but never seen personally.
I suppose the longer the effects of the recession last, the more we will see in any event.
I suppose the longer the effects of the recession last, the more we will see in any event.
Monday, 26 April 2010
April 'Fakewatch' Part 2
Today (Monday 26th April) I got a handful of pound coins in my change and immediately my 'trained' eye was drawn to a particular coin.
Having inspected it, it turned out to be my first Royal Ornamental Arms dated 1996 (which should be Irish Celtic Cross). The edge lettering was as close to being perfect as probably can be achieved but the Llantrissant mark was slightly wrong and they've also included the dot that occurs on the Bridge series, (2004 till 2007), coins between the curved wavy lines.
Keep looking....
Having inspected it, it turned out to be my first Royal Ornamental Arms dated 1996 (which should be Irish Celtic Cross). The edge lettering was as close to being perfect as probably can be achieved but the Llantrissant mark was slightly wrong and they've also included the dot that occurs on the Bridge series, (2004 till 2007), coins between the curved wavy lines.
Keep looking....
Friday, 23 April 2010
April 'FakeWatch'.....so far
After going through a 'barren' period of not seeing many fakes and thinking that finally the word has got round and more people are aware of the problem, then April comes along and has been a month long 'Fools Day' joke, with me having received 6 fakes in the month.
Irish Flax 89, (when 89 is meant to be Scottish design) - This is my second one ever of this type
Welsh Dragon 2000
Irish Celtic Cross 2001 - With bust almost 180 degrees wrong
Irish Celtic Cross 2001 - Wrong font on edge lettering
Ornamental Arms 2003
Forth Bridge 2004
So a variety of types over the month, roll on May!!
Irish Flax 89, (when 89 is meant to be Scottish design) - This is my second one ever of this type
Welsh Dragon 2000
Irish Celtic Cross 2001 - With bust almost 180 degrees wrong
Irish Celtic Cross 2001 - Wrong font on edge lettering
Ornamental Arms 2003
Forth Bridge 2004
So a variety of types over the month, roll on May!!
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Opened My Mouth Too Soon
No sooner do I mention and blog that things have been a bit slow on the fakes front, I've been down to the shops (Co-Op and my local newsagents) and come home with £21 in loose £1 coins, from a starting £30.
Upon checking these 21 coins, I found two fakes. The first was a 2002 3 Lions, where the head and lions line up almost perfectly but what gave it away was the incorrect font type around the edge of the coin and no '+' Llantrissant mint mark between the end of Tutamen and the start of Decus. A good quality fake though.
The other scores a 10 out of 10 in my 'fakes' collection. Its a 1990 Welsh Leek design with the 2nd Queen Portrait. The lettering around the side was spot on when compared with 'real' 1990 coins. What drew my attention was that as a 1990 coin it had been supposedly circulating for 20 years but shows no signs of wear and tear. Perhaps from an Uncirculated Set that someone has had to use as spare change. Ok I thought of that and there was still something else that wasn't quite right.
When I reviewed the Leek design again, I noticed that it was slightly offcentre and the standard beading and edge detail was very near the actual edge of the coin itself on the left hand side, suggesting some sort of stamping process onto a blank disc that was perhaps not fully lined up.
If it took me nearly 20 minutes to come to the decision that it was fake, then imagine how many people it would fool if it was just in a handful of loose change passing from one person to another.
Upon checking these 21 coins, I found two fakes. The first was a 2002 3 Lions, where the head and lions line up almost perfectly but what gave it away was the incorrect font type around the edge of the coin and no '+' Llantrissant mint mark between the end of Tutamen and the start of Decus. A good quality fake though.
The other scores a 10 out of 10 in my 'fakes' collection. Its a 1990 Welsh Leek design with the 2nd Queen Portrait. The lettering around the side was spot on when compared with 'real' 1990 coins. What drew my attention was that as a 1990 coin it had been supposedly circulating for 20 years but shows no signs of wear and tear. Perhaps from an Uncirculated Set that someone has had to use as spare change. Ok I thought of that and there was still something else that wasn't quite right.
When I reviewed the Leek design again, I noticed that it was slightly offcentre and the standard beading and edge detail was very near the actual edge of the coin itself on the left hand side, suggesting some sort of stamping process onto a blank disc that was perhaps not fully lined up.
If it took me nearly 20 minutes to come to the decision that it was fake, then imagine how many people it would fool if it was just in a handful of loose change passing from one person to another.
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Slow Going On Fake Collecting.....Perhaps A Good Thing!!
I haven't posted on this website for quite a while but its really because I haven't got much to report other than I've noticed that perhaps due to the increased awareness of fakes, over the last 4 or 5 months I've probably only had about a dozen more and they are all of types I'd previously identified.
Many people I talk to, who previously weren't aware of the problem, are now able to spot fakes for themselves.
In a very very strange way I'd hate to see the fakes completely eradicated as its a section of coin collecting thats a little bit different to the norm.
Anyway, on with my anorak!!!
Many people I talk to, who previously weren't aware of the problem, are now able to spot fakes for themselves.
In a very very strange way I'd hate to see the fakes completely eradicated as its a section of coin collecting thats a little bit different to the norm.
Anyway, on with my anorak!!!
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Your Own 'Fakes'
What does your own fake collection consist of? What dates and design combinations do you have?
Have you noticed any particular designs or year dates more typical in your area or noticed any particular spates of a certain coin cropping up time after time over a short space of time?
Post your comments accordingly.
Have you noticed any particular designs or year dates more typical in your area or noticed any particular spates of a certain coin cropping up time after time over a short space of time?
Post your comments accordingly.
Recommended Read - Blogsite Special Offer
Like many of you, I've read up as much as possible on fake pound coins and scoured the internet for information. So far to date, the best reference I've come across is the following, which has been offered to any of you readers out there at a special price.
'The Cheat In Your Change', by Ken Peters, is an info-packed 24 page A5 booklet and (other than the Royal Mints own downloadable info) is, in my opinion, the best reference guide you can lay your hands on.
Normally priced at £3.80, this booklet is available for just £2.50 (including postage) and is available from Ken @ Envoy Publicity, 8 Kings Road, Biggin Hill, Kent, TN16 3XU.
If you decide to get a copy, please let Ken know its because you read about the offer on this website.
'The Cheat In Your Change', by Ken Peters, is an info-packed 24 page A5 booklet and (other than the Royal Mints own downloadable info) is, in my opinion, the best reference guide you can lay your hands on.
Normally priced at £3.80, this booklet is available for just £2.50 (including postage) and is available from Ken @ Envoy Publicity, 8 Kings Road, Biggin Hill, Kent, TN16 3XU.
If you decide to get a copy, please let Ken know its because you read about the offer on this website.
Warm Welcome
I'd like to extend a warm welcome to members of the UK Counterfeit Coin Club, who through their President, Mr Ken Peters, have been made aware of this website recently.
In response to Mr Peters, his members cannot post actual blogs on this site but are freely welcome to comment to any actual item, or alternatively contribute an item, which I can then post on this blog site accordingly.
Hope my style of information is to your liking.
In response to Mr Peters, his members cannot post actual blogs on this site but are freely welcome to comment to any actual item, or alternatively contribute an item, which I can then post on this blog site accordingly.
Hope my style of information is to your liking.
October 'Fake'Watch
Another month past and relatively quiet on the 'fake' front.
Got 3 during the month, these being a 3 Lions 2002, Dragon 2000 and an Ornamental Arms 2003, all of which I'd all seen before. On each on them, the detail on the coin itself is pretty good its just the edge lettering that lets it down.
Onwards for Novembers 'search'.
Got 3 during the month, these being a 3 Lions 2002, Dragon 2000 and an Ornamental Arms 2003, all of which I'd all seen before. On each on them, the detail on the coin itself is pretty good its just the edge lettering that lets it down.
Onwards for Novembers 'search'.
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Message to Loftybob
Loftybob,
Thanks for comments on 89 Irish Flax fake, I'm glad its a new type we can add to the 'mule' list.
Is there any chance you could give me a copy of your 52 mule list?
Thanks for comments on 89 Irish Flax fake, I'm glad its a new type we can add to the 'mule' list.
Is there any chance you could give me a copy of your 52 mule list?
My 'Collection' stats
In order of frequency, this represents my 'fake frequency';
Celtic Cross - Total 13 (2001 year date x 12, 2002 x 1)
Ornamental Arms - 8 (2003 x 5, 1989 x 1, 1998 x 1, 2002 x 1)
Three Lions - 7 (2002 x 4, 1997 x 2, 1995 x 1)
Forth Bridge - 4 (all 2004)
Welsh Dragon - 3 (2001 x 2, 2000 x 1)
Egyptian Arch - 3 (all 2006)
Scottish Thistle - 2 (1988 x 1, 1989 x 1)
Menai Bridge - 1 (2005)
Rampant Lion - 1 (1994)
Flax in Coronet - 1 (1989)
So taking in country design-by-design, the stats read;
Ireland - 17
UK - 8
England - 7
Scotland - 7
Wales - 4
And finally by year date, the results are;
2001 - 14
2002 - 6
2003 - 5
2004 - 4
1989 - 3
2006 - 3
1997 - 2
1988 - 1
1994 - 1
1995 - 1
1998 - 1
2000 - 1
2005 - 1
I'm not entirely sure what this really shows as 12 of my 43 fakes so far are Celtic Cross 2001 fakes, so my stats are slanted towards that particular coin anyway. However, in my 43 I have 18 different design/date combinations without taking into account edge inscriptions. (On that point all 3 of my Thistles and Rampant Lion have the 'Decus' rather than 'Nemo' inscription).
If any of my design/date mules are new to other people (such as the 89 Irish Flax), I'd be interested to hear about them.
Celtic Cross - Total 13 (2001 year date x 12, 2002 x 1)
Ornamental Arms - 8 (2003 x 5, 1989 x 1, 1998 x 1, 2002 x 1)
Three Lions - 7 (2002 x 4, 1997 x 2, 1995 x 1)
Forth Bridge - 4 (all 2004)
Welsh Dragon - 3 (2001 x 2, 2000 x 1)
Egyptian Arch - 3 (all 2006)
Scottish Thistle - 2 (1988 x 1, 1989 x 1)
Menai Bridge - 1 (2005)
Rampant Lion - 1 (1994)
Flax in Coronet - 1 (1989)
So taking in country design-by-design, the stats read;
Ireland - 17
UK - 8
England - 7
Scotland - 7
Wales - 4
And finally by year date, the results are;
2001 - 14
2002 - 6
2003 - 5
2004 - 4
1989 - 3
2006 - 3
1997 - 2
1988 - 1
1994 - 1
1995 - 1
1998 - 1
2000 - 1
2005 - 1
I'm not entirely sure what this really shows as 12 of my 43 fakes so far are Celtic Cross 2001 fakes, so my stats are slanted towards that particular coin anyway. However, in my 43 I have 18 different design/date combinations without taking into account edge inscriptions. (On that point all 3 of my Thistles and Rampant Lion have the 'Decus' rather than 'Nemo' inscription).
If any of my design/date mules are new to other people (such as the 89 Irish Flax), I'd be interested to hear about them.
Latest fake...Is it rare?
The latest fake to enter my collection was received last Friday in some loose change but its a design I hadn't seen before in fake collecting terms.
We all know that the Royal Arms, Celtic Cross and 3 Lions appears to be the most 'frequent' of fakes received, but I had yet to see on any of our fellow 'Counterfeit' websites an Irish flax fake.
The one I received was a very good copy of the Flax in Coronet design, but a reverse year date of 1989 (a year that should have been the Scottish Thistle). The edge inscription wasn't the best but wasn't the worst either that I've witnessed.
Has anyone out there received a similar one or heard about their existence? Do we need to start grading our fakes into common, rare and very rare?
We all know that the Royal Arms, Celtic Cross and 3 Lions appears to be the most 'frequent' of fakes received, but I had yet to see on any of our fellow 'Counterfeit' websites an Irish flax fake.
The one I received was a very good copy of the Flax in Coronet design, but a reverse year date of 1989 (a year that should have been the Scottish Thistle). The edge inscription wasn't the best but wasn't the worst either that I've witnessed.
Has anyone out there received a similar one or heard about their existence? Do we need to start grading our fakes into common, rare and very rare?
Sunday, 13 September 2009
E-Bay
Got a pound coin off ebay the other week.
Welsh leek, doesn't appear to be fake and I'm told was found in an unopened roll of £1 coins, when opened up in a ladys shop as till change.
However the portrait side is not struck at all and is entirely a flat smooth face. An unnoticed mis-strike by the Royal Mint I assume and certainly worth a fair bit to the right person.
Not a fake but certainly one I wanted to add to my collection of 'oddities'
Welsh leek, doesn't appear to be fake and I'm told was found in an unopened roll of £1 coins, when opened up in a ladys shop as till change.
However the portrait side is not struck at all and is entirely a flat smooth face. An unnoticed mis-strike by the Royal Mint I assume and certainly worth a fair bit to the right person.
Not a fake but certainly one I wanted to add to my collection of 'oddities'
A Question of Colour
I know that we are all on the look out for anything that has a 'chocolate coin' colouring to it that makes it stand out in the crowd but has anyone else noticed that sometimes you have a 'fake' that seems to be of the more 'white gold' scenario?
I got a 95(!) 3 Lions the other day that, in comparison to true pound coins, seems almost white in colour.
Either I'm right or;
(1) I need a new bulb in my living room or
(2) need to go to Sp*csavers!!
I got a 95(!) 3 Lions the other day that, in comparison to true pound coins, seems almost white in colour.
Either I'm right or;
(1) I need a new bulb in my living room or
(2) need to go to Sp*csavers!!
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Sandwich Lady again!
Either the snack van lady that visits my workplace is very unlucky and is getting fleeced by fellow lunchers or she is a master forger but today in my change from her was a 2004 Forth Bridge fake...........and a very poor copy at that.
On the bridge side the 'railway tracks' are merged in places, detailing isn't good. On the portrait side, it looks a cast copy as it has 'copy cracks' transfered from the master mould onto the coin itself. And the dot is missing on the edge where its meant to be between each end of the 'wavy line' inscription.
All in all, a sh*t copy...........but its mine now!!!
On the bridge side the 'railway tracks' are merged in places, detailing isn't good. On the portrait side, it looks a cast copy as it has 'copy cracks' transfered from the master mould onto the coin itself. And the dot is missing on the edge where its meant to be between each end of the 'wavy line' inscription.
All in all, a sh*t copy...........but its mine now!!!
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