WAYS THAT MINTS TRY TO PREVENT COUNTERFEITING

Many people know about the anti-counterfeiting techniques that have been applied to currency banknotes but not those applied on coins. People usually assume that coins are not prone to counterfeit but it will shock you to know that there are people who actually forge coins which have necessitated the need for security measures to be put in place.

There are numerous ways that mints try to prevent counterfeiting currently. The following are just a few of the anti-counterfeiting techniques:

1. Edge Detail

Most of the coins being produced today are designed to have a decorative edge so as to discourage counterfeiting.  The most common decorative edge used on coins is the reeded edge. Detailed edges can also feature engraved text which can either be alone or contain reeds. There are some edges which are made up of different shapes and the sides of these shapes don’t have the same length.

2. Sandwiched metals

Most coins are usually made of a variety of metals. There is a smaller metal core that is surrounded by and sandwiched between another exterior metal which is of a different type.

3. Unique metals

Most of the metals that are used in coin making are unique and rare to find. This prevents counterfeiting as it is very difficult to reproduce these metals.

4. Bi-metallic makeup

There are coins that are made up of a smaller inner metal that is surrounded by a thicker edge of another metal.

5. Application of tech names

The use of special fluorescent taggants is a technology that has been in the past only been used on banknotes but which is now being applied to coin blanks as well. This has really helped in the fight against coin counterfeiting. The taggants are usually mixed in with multiple layers of electroplating so as to prevent them from wearing off.

6. The PAMP VeriScan

This is a technology that quickly and easily spots fake coins. The coin gets a super high-resolution scan of its surface while it’s still on the production line. The data is then tied to the serial number of the coin. This technology can work around any scratches on the coin and thus is highly effective.

7. Micro engraving technology

This technology is quickly gaining popularity among mints. It entails having a microscopic engraving on coins which has helped a lot in the fight against coin counterfeit. You can have one or two micro engravings on one coin which is just unique for that specific mint.

Due to the recent rise in coin counterfeiting mints have had to get a bit creative to combat this. There are so many other ways that mints try to prevent counterfeiting but the above are a few of the most commonly used. As the fight between mints and counterfeits forges on, we hope that the advancement in technology will give mints the upper hand for at least the next couple of years.

Thanks for taking the time to read.