Counterfeiting has existed for centuries, with coins commonly counterfeited by clipping edges and melting them together in the 1600s. Currently, most paper currency counterfeits are made by scanning and printing bills or combining pieces of legitimate bills. In 2010, $64.4 million in counterfeits were in circulation in the US due to economic hardship increasing incentives. Detecting counterfeits involves checking security features like ridges, ink smearing when rubbed, watermarks, and thickness. Producing counterfeits was historically punishable by death and remains a serious federal felony today.

1. Counterfeit {koun-ter-fit]: to imitate or copy,
especially with the intent to deceive.
By: Lidia Rusnac
Counterfeit currency
Mt. Hood Community College – [Speech 111]

2. History
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• No specific date that tells us when counterfeit
currency started being produced
• Traced back all the way to ancient times
• “as long as there was currency being produced there
were counterfeits”

3. • For Coin that was more common in the 1600’s but less common
now, they used a technique called “clipping”
• Clipping: the process of clipping off edges of legitimate coins and
melting them together to make counterfeits. Stamping them with
the denomination of your choice.
• Variety of ways paper counterfeits are made
• Most common is scanning and printing on paper
• Using pieces of other bills to construct a full bill
How it’s made
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4. Current problems
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• In 2010 alone there were 64.4 million dollars worth of
counterfeits in circulation.
• Highest number in 5 years
• Why? Since the downturn in the economy people have
become desperate for money
• Counterfeiters mind set: “since I don’t have any money, I’ll
just make some”
• Problems likely to persist of get worse until the economy
turns around

5. • Similar effect as to if there are to many legitimate bills printed
• The more money being printed and being circulated in the economy the
less value it holds
• The more counterfeits being circulated into our economy the more the
value of the dollar dilutes, and our dollar becomes less trusted.
• The problem also arises when you find yourself a victim. You have just
lost the value that was supposed to be that bill. In this time, every penny
counts.
How it affects us
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6. • In the 1600’s the punishment for the production of counterfeits was
death.
• It was considered an act of high treason and was treated as a very large
crime.
• There were warnings printed on the bills themselves that read “to
counterfeit is death”
• Today it is considered a federal felony and if found guilty you could
serve up to 15 years in prison
• On top of prison they seize all materials used in the production of the
counterfeits.
Punishments
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7. • Federal notes are made with characteristics virtually impossible to re
create.
• Things to look for:
• 1. Ridges on the Jacket
• 2. Rub against paper. Ink never dries so it will smear green when rubbed
• 3. Outline of the presidents face on right side when held to light
• 4. Security strip on left side. Can be seen when held to light
• 5. Color. Darker/Lighter
• 6. Texture/Thickness is always skewed.
• If it looks funny, it’s most likely a counterfeit.
Detection
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8. What to look for
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9. • Bring it to a bank
• Banks send it to Secret Service and has it examined to try and find the
source.
What to do with a counterfeit
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10. http://wfhummel.cnchost.com/counterfeiting.html
http://www.content4reprint.com/culture-and-society/current-
affairs/different-legal-punishments-given-for-producing-counterfeit-money-
by-different-countries.htm
http://www.itestcah.com/history-of-counterfeiting.html
References
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11. Thank you for Listening!
The end
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