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Status report on euro counterfeits recovered in the second half of 2019

Banknotes

In the second half of 2019 a total of 1,309 counterfeit euro banknotes were recovered in Slovakia. This number was around two times higher compared with the first half of 2019. Approximately 73% of these counterfeits were recovered from circulation.

Half-yearly trend in the number of counterfeit euro banknotes

 

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Period

H1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

Number

979

1,736

1,910

1,556

1,878

1,046

1,852

1,346

1,507

1,457

774

699

661

1,309

The counterfeit banknotes recovered in the second half of 2019 consisted mostly of counterfeit €50 banknotes (42.1%) and €500 banknotes (18.6%).

Breakdown of counterfeit euro banknotes by denomination

 

€5

€10

€20

€50

€100

€200

€500

Total

Number

11

136

161

551

142

65

243

1,309

%

0.8

10.4

12.3

42.1

10.8

5.0

18.6

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 second half of 2019 a total of 826 counterfeit euro coins were recovered in Slovakia, all from circulation. Counterfeit €2 coins accounted for 80.4% of the total.

Half-yearly trend in the number of counterfeit euro coins

 

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Period

H1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

Number

3,216

29,271

1,511

1,213

971

854

9,622

638

574

507

570

679

567

826

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

87

75

664

826

%

10.5

9.1

80.4

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.