The fake pound coin obtained by The Fermanagh Herald can be seen on the top of this stack. Could you tell the difference?
THE PSNI in Fermanagh have warned local traders that counterfeit £1 coins are circulating in their area.
According to the Royal Mint, banks will not refund those left holding fakes.
A spokesman told the Herald: “This can be very costly for small shopkeepers who take their till takings to branches.
Based on the 3pc prevalence of fakes, nearly all of us will be handling at least a few fakes each year.”
As there is an estimated 45 million £1 coins in circulation.
But, for the unsuspecting motorist feeding a fake £1 coin into a carpark ticket machine, life can take a turn for the worst.
This week, a Herald reader called in our office in Belmore Street to tell us of his dilemma.
“Try as I could, the coin just wouldn’t stay in, and I hadn’t 40p to keep me going, and, there was no one in the car park I could turn to.”
The man had been ticketed last month in the High Street, so he was loathe to face another £90 fine.
“I just took a deep breath and ran for change, past two traffic attendants,” he said.
Local PSNI Inspector, Roy Robinson said fake coins can be spotted by careful observation and comparison with the genuine article.
“The lettering on the side is poorly aligned, the milled edge may be poorly defined or the lettering uneven in depth and spacing. The colouring may appear more shiny and golden than normal, with little sign of ageing.”
Inspector Robinson advised anyone with information about counterfeit coins or bank notes to contact their nearest police station.
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