26/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 26/07/2024 15:02
In the first half of 2024, the Bundesbank removed significantly more counterfeit money from circulation in Germany than in the six months before. Between January and June 2024, there were around 38,600 counterfeit euro banknotes in circulation, with a nominal value of € 2.4 million. This was 29 % more than in the second half of 2023. Meanwhile, the total loss arising from counterfeit banknotes rose only slightly, by 5 %. The increase was driven by easily identifiable counterfeits, especially of € 10 and € 20 banknotes, said Burkhard Balz, the Bundesbank's Executive Board member whose remit includes cash management. As well as this, there were cases of fraud involving counterfeit € 100 banknotes being used to purchase gold coins and cars. The volume of € 200 and € 500 counterfeits fell significantly compared with the second half of 2023. Overall, the incidence of counterfeit money remains low: statistically speaking, there were nine counterfeit banknotes per 10,000 inhabitants, Mr Balz added.
The table below shows the distribution of counterfeits across the various denominations in the first half of 2024 and changes compared with the second half of 2023.
Banknotes |
H12023 |
Share (rounded) |
Change compared to H22022 |
€ 5 |
470 |
1 % |
+25 % |
€ 10 |
2,618 |
7 % |
+48 % |
€ 20 |
11,619 |
30 % |
+65 % |
€ 50 |
14,269 |
37 % |
+22 % |
€ 100 |
5,929 |
15 % |
+54 % |
€ 200 |
3,331 |
9 % |
− 28 % |
€ 500 |
342 |
1 % |
− 26 % |
Total |
38,578 |
The proportion of simple counterfeits with the words "movie money" printed on the obverse side or "prop copy" on the reverse remains high. On some of the specimens the label "movie money" had been covered over and replaced with an imitation signature.
As counterfeit banknotes are not replaced, banknotes should be checked using the "feel, look, tilt" method. It is advisable to compare a suspect banknote with one definitely known to be genuine and to always check more than one security feature.
All counterfeits can be identified by the following authentication features:
In the first half of 2024, approximately 79,700 counterfeit coins were detected in German payments, This was 19 % more than in the second half of 2023. The significant rise is mainly due to the fact that credit institutions and cash-in-transit companies are still working through backlogs of coins no longer fit for circulation that accumulated during the pandemic. These backlogs include counterfeit coins as well. In statistical terms, there were around 19 counterfeit coins per 10,000 inhabitants in Germany in the first six months of 2024.
Counterfeits were identified only in the three highest denominations, and their incidence in the first half of 2024 was as follows.
Coins |
Number |
Share (rounded) |
50 cent |
500 |
1 % |
€ 1 |
4,128 |
5 % |
€ 2 |
75,025 |
94 % |
Total |
79,653 |
The following pointers can make it easier to identify genuine coins.
Through its branch network, the Bundesbank provides training courses on counterfeit prevention free of charge to the banking industry, retailers and any other interested parties. In addition, online training modules (German only) can be accessed via the Bundesbank's website.
Information (in the form of brochures and posters) may also be ordered from the Bundesbank free of charge.