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Spotting a counterfeit £1 coin

Spotting counterfeit £1 coins - a guide

• £1 counterfeit coin guide Opens new window

It may not always be easy to spot a counterfeit £1 coin without inspecting it closely.

Common features of counterfeit coins include:

• the date and design on the back do not match (the reverse design is changed each year) – find a list of designs and dates by following the link below
  
• the lettering or inscription on the edge of the coin does not correspond to the right year
  
• the milled edge is poorly defined and the lettering is uneven in depth, spacing or is poorly formed
  
• the front and back designs are not sharp or well defined
  
• where the coin should have been in circulation for some time, the colouring appears more shiny and golden and the coin shows no sign of age
  
• the colour of the coin does not match genuine coins
  
• the designs on front and back are not in-line
  

Using counterfeit coins is illegal. If you have a counterfeit or suspect that a coin may be a counterfeit, hand it in to your local police station.

For further information on Britain’s £1 coin designs, and a guide to spotting fake £1 coins, follow the link below.

• £1 counterfeit coin guide - The Royal Mint Opens new window

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