How to detect counterfeit currency

Todd Priebe is an officer for the Sheboygan Police Department and wrote a column about how to detect counterfeit coins and currency.

Here’s the first part of the article. Follow the link at the bottom for the rest of it.

Genuine coins are stamped out by special machinery. Most counterfeit coins are made by pouring liquid metal into molds or dies. This procedure often leaves die marks such as cracks or dimples of metal on the counterfeit coin.

Today, counterfeit coins are made primarily to simulate rare coins that are of value to collectors. Sometimes this is done by altering genuine coins to increase their numismatic value.

The most common changes are the removal, addition or alteration of the coins’ date or mint marks. If you suspect you have a counterfeit or altered coin, compare it with a genuine one of the same value. If it is above 5 cents in value, it should have corrugated outer edges, or “reeding.” Reeding on genuine coins is even and distinct. The counterfeit coins’ reeding may be uneven, crooked or missing.

Due to increases in color copy technology, two new features had been added to U.S. currency. These new features started appearing in series 1990 $50 and $100 Federal Reserve notes. Since then, additional denominations had been gradually phased in. Existing currency and the new series will co-circulate until existing currency is withdrawn at the Federal Reserve banks and branches. Withdrawal will be based on normal wear.

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