Status report on euro counterfeits recovered in the second half of 2020

21. 01. 2021 | Press Release of the NBS

Banknotes

In the second half of 2020 a total of 15,688 counterfeit euro banknotes were recovered in Slovakia, including 15,002 seized by police in a single operation in August 2020, before the notes entered circulation. The number of counterfeit banknotes recovered from circulation was 653, around one-third higher compared with the number for the first half of 2020 (492). The counterfeits seized in the August operation included 10,000 €50 notes, 4,998 €100 notes, and four notes of other denominations.

Half-yearly trend in the number of counterfeit euro banknotes

	2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		2020
Period	H1	H2	H1	H2	H1	H2	H1	H2	H1	H2	H1	H2	H1	H2
Number	1,910	1,556	1,878	1,046	1,852	1,346	1,507	1,457	774	699	661	1,309	606	15,688

The counterfeit banknotes recovered in the second half of 2020 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	14	75	104	10,346	5,094	35	20	15,688
%	0.1	0.5	0.7	65.9	32.5	0.2	0.1	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 the second half of 2020 a total of 652 counterfeit euro coins were recovered in Slovakia, all from circulation. Counterfeit €2 coins accounted for 87.7% of the total.

Half-yearly trend in the number of counterfeit euro coins

	2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		2020
Period	H1	H2	H1	H2	H1	H2	H1	H2	H1	H2	H1	H2	H1	H2
Number	1,511	1,213	971	854	9,622	638	574	507	570	679	567	826	577	652

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	41	39	572	652
%	6.3	6.0	87.7	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.

Naspäť