COUNTERFEIT COINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20419, 22 November 1929, Page 12

COUNTERFEIT COINS.

an excellent imitation.

;" IMPROVING IN THEIR ART."

CIRCULATION IN CHRISTCHURCH.

[B¥ TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. Excellent counterfeit half-crowns and florins are at present in circulation in Christchurch. They, are not easily discernible from genuine coins and when mixed with other coins are easily passed. A warning was issued this morning by Mr. J. MacGibbou, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, to business people to be careful in accepting silver coins and to examine any apparently new silver closely. The half-crowns are dated 1919 and the florins 1926. The half-crowns are a good deal lighter than the genuine coins, for the genuine 1919 half-crown was the last to have the full weight of silver in it. Coins minted after that date are slightly lighter than those minted previously. The milling on the edge of the coins is not "good, but before this can be detected the coins have to be individually examined. Judging by the specimens in the possession of the Bank of New Zealand the counterfeiters are improving in their art and the standard of their production is becoming higher, making it harder for the coins to be recognised. On some of the coins there is a slight pitting on the surface, which is never found in ordinary coins. The lettering is not as clear as on tho genuine article, and in two cases the "x" of the word Rex is slightly obliterated. A number of these coin| was put into circulation at the races last week and since then they have been found in the city. There is nothing to indicate the origin of the coins, but the usual experience has been that counterfeit coins come to New Zealand from Australia. It is not known of what metal they are made, but it is gome very light substance similar to silver at first glance, but slightly darker on a closer examination. An analysis of counterfeit coins passed some time ago revealed that they were made of what is known as "Babbitts metal," a very light compound. The present bad coins have not the ring of genuine money, sounding light and hollow when dropped on wood.