Yesterday, a report by Royal Mint said with every 100 pieces £1 coin, you can find 3 pieces fake coins. The recent survey indicated a counterfeit rate of around 3.09% for the £1 coin.With rising counterfeit coins in circulation, you need to know how to spot fake £1 coin. Royal Mint has been seriously trying to prevent fake coins in circulation and have released an easy-to-use guide and poster for you to download. Its an offence to own and circulate these coins under Britain Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981. If you find any fake in your change, its illegal to use it and you need to report it to the nearest Police station. Enforcement of these provisions is entirely a matter for law enforcement agencies, such as the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. Royal Mint is working closely with the Banks and Post Office to identify and withdraw counterfeits at cash centres.
How to spot a counterfeit pound coins:
1. Do the date and design match?
2. Edge Lettering is wrong
The lettering or inscription on the edge of a genuine coin must correspond with the year date. You can look at the the coin edge inscription list below. Usually the milled edge of a counterfeit is poorly defined and the lettering is uneven in depth and spacing.
3. Quality of the coins.
Genuine coins lose their lustre when they have been in circulation for some time. Some counterfeits appear more shiny and golden, and show no sign of age despite the date of the coin. The colour of the coin does not match genuine coins.
4. Orientation
£1 Coins Edge Inscription and Years:
Decus et Tutamen =‘An ornament and a safeguard’from Virgil’s Aeneid.
Year: 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit=‘No one provokes me with impunity’ – the motto of the Order of the Thistle.
Year: 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999.
Pleidiol Wyf I’m Gwlad=‘True am I to my country’ from the Welsh National Anthem.
Year: 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000.
A decorative feature symbolising bridges and pathways.
Year: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.
Domine Dirige Nos=‘Lord guide us’ – the motto of the city of London.
Year: 2010.
Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus= ‘What return shall we make for so much’ – the motto of the city of Belfast.
Year: 2010.
Date and Reverse Design
1983 Ornamental royal arms.
1984 Thistle sprig in a coronet, representing Scotland.
1985 Leek in a coronet, representing Wales.
1986 Flax in a coronet, representing Northern Ireland.
1987 Oak tree in a coronet, representing England.
1988 Crown over the Royal Shield.
1989 Thistle sprig in a coronet, representing Scotland.
1990 Leek in a coronet, representing Wales.
1991 Flax in a coronet, representing Northern Ireland.
1992 Oak tree in a coronet, representing England.
1993 Ornamental royal arms.
1994 Lion Rampant in a double tressure flory,representing Scotland.
1995 Dragon Passant representing Wales.
1996 Celtic cross and pimpernel, representing Northern Ireland.
1997 Three lions passant guardant, representing England.
1998 Issued in collectors' sets only, not for circulation.
1999 Issued in collectors' sets only, not for circulation.
2000 Dragon Passant representing Wales.
2001 Celtic cross and pimpernel, representing Northern Ireland.
2002 Three lions passant guardant, representing England.
2003 Ornamental royal arms.
2004 Scottish Forth Railway Bridge
2005 Welsh Menai Straits Bridge
2006 Northern Ireland Egyptian Arch at Newry
2007 English Millennium Bridge
2008 The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms.
Source: www.royalmint.com
