Hi all,

Recently I've seen an increase in the number of fake one pound coins in Sheffield. When I say increase, I mean I've had around 5 given to me in my change in the last two weeks compared to just one in the last 6 years!

Has anyone else noticed this? I normally just pass them on (Especially when I've no more change for the bus) but what do / would you do if you got one?

There are various ways to spot a fake. Normally it's obvious, especially when you've got a couple to compare. The fake ones are normally lighter (in weight), thinner and have a lighter, more yellow colour. The design on fakes is normally uneven or blurred, especially the letters around the edge (sometimes unevenly spaced).

The best way I've found to spot a fake it to hold it between your finger and thumb (one at the top, one at the bottom) and spin it around its axis. On all "real" coins, the queen's head is the same way up as the reverse side pattern. On fake coins, they often don't get that right.

Anyway, all take a look at your pound coins and let me know what you find...

Ta.

Wow! Sheffield is behind the times!

We've had fake pound coins in Liverpool for well over a decade!

A good way to check is to compare the noise made by tapping it against a real pound coin - the noise is significantly different to two real pound coins being hit together.

I must say, I have not seen any fake pound coins in the three yeas I've been living back here.

Which shops were they - I want to start a blacklist

Originally posted by Abby
Wow! Sheffield is behind the times!



No, we're just thrifty and don't like parting with our money!

Originally posted by Abby
Wow! Sheffield is behind the times!

We've had fake pound coins in Liverpool for well over a decade!I know! I saw my first fake pound coin around 1988 I think. I'd had the odd few since then, but just recently it seems a little strange that I've recently started to get more and more in Sheffield.

Can't remember the shops. I often don't notice them straight away as I normally just glance at my change to check it's right.

We see these in the bank every now and again. Normally, if you scrape a fake pound coin with a key or the edge of another coin, the gold colour will rub off, and silver will show through. Also, as has already been said, the lettering around the edge will be poor quality compared to a real coin.

One way to get rid of them is put them in your trolley at the supermarket, then when you've done shopping, give the trolley to another shopper and take their pound...

(Reminder kids: knowingly spending fake money is illegal. Don't do it!)

Originally posted by Andy


One way to get rid of them is put them in your trolley at the supermarket, then when you've done shopping, give the trolley to another shopper and take their pound...

(Reminder kids: knowingly spending fake money is illegal. Don't do it!)

Oh you rotter:o

Years back I once obtained some via change from a travelling fairground.

Related subject - did you see the story about the 30 Euro notes?
There's been millions of them this summer all over the european resorts...

For anyone who's got one left over from their holidays - they don't exist!

Recently, whilst holidaying in North Wales, I was given a £27.50 note; which, as any currency expert will tell you, is triangular. On the reverse, there is a picture of Ruth Madoc buffing Max Boyce's head!

Imagine my constenation, however, when returning to Sheffield, all the local shopkeepers have refused to accept it! They have also called me a Coniving, Underhand, Nobbling, Trickster............

At least, I think that's what C*NT stands for!

what exactly does 'buffing' mean?

Originally posted by Internetowl
what exactly does 'buffing' mean?

Put it this way.........Max's head was red and gleaming by the time Ruth had finished with it!

Originally posted by Abby
We've had fake pound coins in Liverpool for well over a decade!
That's Liverpool for ya! ;)

I got my first fake pound coin yesterday! It was quite professionally done (compared the the scraggy efforts I had seen in Liverpool)

The size was similar, but the weight was different and the colour was way off - this gold paint was much darker than fake ones I've seen in the past, and came off when scratched. Also, the edge with the Latin writing on was flat, not rippled. It also failed the tap test (see my post above).

I took it back to the shop and got it replaced. I got it from a department store in the scruffy end of town in ...let me see (consults bus route map...) Castle Square

I got what I think was a fake pound coin about 2 weeks ago. It seemed quite close to the normal one when compared. Tho it didnt have any lined edges and at first I thhought it was a new design. Like a fortress on the opposite side to the queens head. Anyone else had this one? :confused:

I saw a fake 50p the other day. Why bother??

Originally posted by rickmiles85
I got what I think was a fake pound coin about 2 weeks ago. It seemed quite close to the normal one when compared. Tho it didnt have any lined edges and at first I thhought it was a new design. Like a fortress on the opposite side to the queens head. Anyone else had this one? :confused:

I think that's the one I had ;)

Peasant! Shop at some decent stores instead :P

Originally posted by rickmiles85
I got what I think was a fake pound coin about 2 weeks ago. It seemed quite close to the normal one when compared. Tho it didnt have any lined edges and at first I thhought it was a new design. Like a fortress on the opposite side to the queens head. Anyone else had this one? :confused: This sounds more like a pound coin from another country / island (i.e. Alderney, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man or Jersey). They're the same size and colour as ours but have different designs.

All our designs can be seen here (http://www.royalmint.com/talk/pounddesigns.asp) on the Royal Mint's website (some of which have been repeated over the years). I can't find pictures of the others though...