Status report on euro counterfeits recovered in 2023
Banknotes
The total number of counterfeit euro banknotes recovered in Slovakia in 2023 was 1,697. A total of 940 counterfeits were recovered from circulation (55.4 %). The total number of counterfeit euro banknotes was higher compared with the number in 2022, but in general we can state it is stable and relatively low compared to other eurozone countries. The overall number of recovered counterfeits was far higher in 2020 than in the rest years mentioned in the table. The reason is, in August 2020 a single police operation resulted in 15,002 counterfeit banknotes being seized before they entered circulation.
Yearly trend in the number of counterfeit euro banknotes
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Number | 1,970 | 16,294 | 1,162 | 771 | 1,697 |
The counterfeit banknotes recovered in 2023 consisted mostly of counterfeit €50 banknotes and €100 banknotes.
Breakdown of counterfeit euro banknotes by denomination
| €5 | €10 | €20 | €50 | €100 | €200 | €500 | Total | |
| Number | 25 | 205 | 328 | 474 | 451 | 76 | 138 | 1,697 |
| % | 1.5 | 12.1 | 19.3 | 27.9 | 26.6 | 4.5 | 8.1 | 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 2023 a total of 3,414 counterfeit euro coins were recovered in Slovakia. This number was around one-third higher compared with 2022. All counterfeit coins were recovered from circulation.
Yearly trend in the number of counterfeit euro coins
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Number | 1,393 | 1,229 | 1,592 | 2,580 | 3,414 |
Counterfeit €2 coins accounted for 93.4% of the total. 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 | 65 | 160 | 3,189 | 3,414 |
| % | 1.9 | 4.7 | 93.4 | 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.
ECB
National Bank of Slovakia
Communications Section
Imricha Karvaša 1, 813 25 Bratislava
Contact: press@nbs.sk
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