2.4 Examples of lead/tin alloy counterfeit one-pound coins
COIN P6
This coin is only shown in black and white photographs but the granular nature of its surface is still apparent. The coin design had been reproduced well with no shrinkage apparent. As to be expected with a cast coin the obverse and reverse matched each other and had the correct alignment. The edge was also correct but with file marks presumably where casting sprue had been removed.
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Black and white photograph of a white metal one-pound counterfeit coin. |
Black and white photograph of the edge of a white metal one-pound counterfeit coin. This shows file marks from removing excess metal from casting sprue. |
COIN P11
This counterfeit was received in change by Yuan Shen in London in 2004. He reports that it is very overweight at 10.85g, has a diameter of 22.5mm and an edge thickness 3.15mm. The coating on the white metal cast counterfeit has started to wear allowing the underlying dark grey alloy colour to be seen. The obverse has a number of raised features typical in cast counterfeits, for example the linear feature on the table below the Queen's chin. Both sides show significant damage some of this was probably present in the coin used as a master. However some is undoubtly due to the soft white metal damaging easily during circulation.