Counterfeit Detection

Counterfeit detection has always been necessary.

The counterfeiting of money has occurred since the first coins entered into circulation thousands of years ago. Money operates in a system of scarcity; its value is either derived from the value of the metal on which the coin is struck or by government fiat.

Counterfeiters have long plied their trade on all money, whether out of economic necessity or to take advantage of the unsuspecting. This criminal undermining of the monetary system has led governments and banks to battle fakes and their makers with harsh punitive laws and the publication of material to help banks and businesses discern the difference between real and fake money.

Counterfeit detection is also essential in the collectibles market. As coin collecting became more popular, the incentive grew to alter, forge, or replicate valuable coins. Sometimes, this fakery involved various mechanical processes to create copies of rare coins. Other times, counterfeiters alter dates, manipulate mintmarks, or make other adjustments to pass less valuable coins for more valuable ones. With today’s advanced technology, forgers can now counterfeit on an industrial scale. 

Articles, Interviews, and Numismatic News

Here, you’ll find CoinWeek’s complete selection of counterfeit detection articles. Keep up-to-date with the latest families of counterfeit coins from experts like Jack Young and the authenticators at NGC and PCGS. Read news updates from industry organizations actively working with the Federal Government to catch fakes before they enter the country.