OT - 1 in 36 £1 coins are fake - how to spot a fake

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El Loro

News from the BBC today that nearly 2 million £1 coins were returned to the Royal Mint last financial year, but there are considerably more than that - at least 30 million. It is estimated that around 1 in every 36 £1 coins is a fake.

If you do find a fake coin, it is an offence to pass it on whether in a shop, in a parking meter, or anywhere. It's worthless.

The BBC has given some tips:

How to spot a fake £1 coin

Indistinct lettering or wrong typeface on edge
Queen's head and pattern on reverse should both be upright when coin is turned over
Design on reverse should correspond with official design for year of its issue

They have also provided a short video clip which is now on Youtube.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

cologne 1Member Memoriam

I never look at a £ 1 coin loro. In fact, I went to the coop today and the trolley had a £ coin still in it's slot. So I used it to do my shopping and left it, coin still intact afterwards.

7/27/1010:02 AM

lalMember

I haven't got time to check, good or bad I just spend it...

7/27/1010:07 AM

brisketMember Memoriam

I think I've got one where the head, and the pattern on the other side are not both upright.
As if times werem't hard enough....!

7/27/1010:24 AM

CroctacusMember

The weight and colour are often a giveaway

7/27/1011:51 AM

LeccyMember

You can all donate you fakes to me, I won't spend them, I just feel they'd make handy missiles

7/27/1011:58 AM

CroctacusMember

the fakes all get slung out by the change machine in Sainsbury's as well

7/27/1011:59 AM

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How to spot a fake £1 coin

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