Status report on euro counterfeits recovered in the first half of 2018

Banknotes

In the first half of 2018 a total of 774 counterfeit euro banknotes were recovered in Slovakia. This number was 53% lower compared with the second half of 2017. More than 90% of all counterfeits were recovered from circulation.

Half-yearly trend in the number of counterfeit euro banknotes

	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018
Period	1H	2H	1H	2H	1H	2H	1H	2H	1H	2H	1H	2H	1H
Number	790	654	979	1,736	1,910	1,556	1,878	1,046	1,852	1,346	1,507	1,457	774

The counterfeit banknotes recovered in the first half of 2018 consisted mostly of counterfeit €50 banknotes (48.4%) and €100 banknotes (24.7%).

Breakdown of counterfeit euro banknotes by denomination

	€5	€10	€20	€50	€100	€200	€500	Total
Number	23	41	70	375	191	23	51	774
%	3.0	5.3	9.0	48.4	24.7	3.0	6.6	100.0

While the quality of counterfeit banknotes is generally high, the public can detect them without special equipment if they stay vigilant when receiving banknotes. Genuine banknotes can be easily recognised using the “feel, look and tilt” method described on the euro pages of the ECB’s website (www.ecb.int) and the websites of the Eurosystem national central banks.

Coins

In the first half of 2018 a total of 570 counterfeit euro coins were recovered in Slovakia. The number of coin counterfeits has been falling for a long time. Counterfeit €2 coins accounted for 75.6% of the total. All coin counterfeits were recovered from circulation.

Half-yearly trend in the number of counterfeit euro coins

	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018
Period	1H	2H	1H	2H	1H	2H	1H	2H	1H	2H	1H	2H	1H
Number	896	2,111	3,216	29,271	1,511	1,213	971	854	9,622	638	574	507	570

The technical quality of coin counterfeits is mostly high or very high, and it may therefore be quite difficult for the public to detect them, especially if insufficient attention is paid to coins when received.

Breakdown of counterfeit euro coins by denomination

	50 cent	€1	€2	Total
Number	88	51	431	570
%	15.4	9.0	75.6	100.0

The easiest way to detect a counterfeit coin is with a simple magnet. Genuine €1 and €2 coins have a magnetic core and therefore by applying a magnet to the core it is possible to compare the magnetism of a suspect coin with that of a genuine coin. It is also important to observe the general appearance and colour of a suspect coin. In the case of a suspect €2 coin, it is also recommended to check the edge lettering.

More detailed information about the common and national sides of euro circulation coins can be found on the websites of the ECB and Národná banka Slovenska.