Euro coins
Euro coins are well protected against counterfeiting by several security features. Overall levels of counterfeiting have been relatively low.
However because each country's euro coins – with distinctive designs – are legal tender across the eurozone, common rules and coordination are needed to ensure anti-counterfeiting measures are equally effective in all countries. OLAF has a particular role in coordinating national measures.
Coordination – European Technical and Scientific Centre (ETSC)
OLAF's European technical and scientific centre supports national efforts to combat counterfeiting of coins by:
- coordinating technical measures, in particular the analysis and classification of the major categories of counterfeit euro coins (common classes)
- providing Coin National Analysis Centres and police authorities with direct technical assistance
- contributing to the development of the European Central Bank's counterfeits database
- establishing a register of coin-like objects that could be misused as euro coins
- working with the coin-operated industry.
Commission Decision 2005/37/EC establishing the ETSC 
Contact ETSC at olaf-etsc@ec.europa.eu or by fax on +32 2 292 18 84.
Coin authentication rules
Regulation 1210/2010 on euro-coin authentication & handling of coins unfit for circulation [734 KB] introduces specific obligations for national authorities, banks and other credit institutions to ensure equal standards are applied throughout the eurozone. It also includes rules on the handling of coins that are unfit for circulation, as a result of long use, accident or damage.
Coin-processing machines
Coin authentication relies mainly on coin-processing machines used in cash-sorting centres.
The ETSC and Coin National Analysis Centres test these machines and produce a list of approved coin-processing machines [218 KB] that pass the tests.
Manufacturers of coin-processing machines can obtain more information on detection tests, test sites and standard declarations of conformity from the ETSC (see above).
Medals and tokens similar to euro coins
Regulation 2182/2004 on medals and tokens similar to euro coins and Amending Regulation 46/2009 prohibits the production and sale of medals and tokens bearing a strong similarity to euro coins, based on size, appearance and material. It aims to:
- minimise the risk of confusion between euro coins and similar-looking objects
- prevent other objects from being used unlawfully in the place of euro coins.
Regulation 2183/2004 and Amending regulation 47/2009 apply the same ban in EU countries outside the eurozone
Reports
