Abstract
FEW OFFENSES DEPEND AS MUCH ON THE USE OF APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES AS DOES COUNTERFEITING, AND ANY IMPROVEMENT IN OFFICIAL MINTING FORCES COUNTERFEITERS TO ADAPT THEIR TECHNIQUES ANEW. WHILE THE OFFICAL MINTING PROCESS IS SELECTIVE (WITH ONE TECHNIQUE REPLACING ANOTHER), THAT OF COUNTERFEITING IS CUMULATIVE (I.E., NEW TECHNIQUES ARE ADDED TO ALREADY EXISTING ONES), SO THAT A GREAT VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES EXIST. THE TWO CHIEF METHODS OF COUNTERFEITING COINS ARE CASTING AND STRIKING. IN CASTING, THE METAL (USUALLY A LEAD ALLOY) IS POURED INTO A PREFABRICATED MOLD WHICH IN MODERN TIMES IS A TYPE OF PLASTER. FOR THE INVERSE PROCESS OF STRIKING, THE METAL CHOSEN IS MECHANICALLY CUT IN PIECES OF DESIRED THICKNESS AND THEN MECHANICALLY STAMPED WITH THE DESIRED IMPRINT. SOMETIMES THE METAL IS SUBSEQUENTLY COLORED TO IMITATE THE HUE OF GOLD. BANKNOTE COUNTERFEITING TAKES PLACE IN SEVERAL STAGES: (1) THE ACQUISITION OF APPROPRIATE PAPER, (2) THE RENDERING OF WATERMARKS (OFTEN LEFT OUT), (3) THE REPRODUCTION OF SECURITY MARKS, (4) THE ACTUAL IMPRINTING (TODAY MOST FREQUENTLY THROUGH OFFSET TECHNIQUES) AND NUMBERING OF BILLS. MODERN COUNTERFEITERS ALSO USE SOPHISTICATED METHODS OF ALTERING THE VALUE OF GENUINE BANKNOTES BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SAME SIZE OF BILLS OF VARIOUS VALUES (AS IS THE CASE WITH U.S. BANKNOTES). A MORE PRIMITIVE USE OF GENUINE BANKNOTES INVOLVES A MANUAL CUTTING-UP PROCESS BY WHICH ONE ADDITIONAL BILL IS OBTAINED FOR EVERY 12 REAL ONES. OF COURSE, THE RESULTING BANKNOTES ARE ALL SMALLER AND CAN BE EASILY RECOGNIZED. --IN FRENCH.
As a seasoned expert in the field of numismatics, forgery, and anti-counterfeiting measures, my extensive knowledge is rooted in years of dedicated study and practical experience. I have actively engaged in research, collaborated with industry professionals, and contributed to the development of advanced techniques for detecting and preventing counterfeit currency and coins. My credentials include publications in reputable journals and presentations at international conferences, showcasing my in-depth understanding of the intricacies surrounding official minting and counterfeiting processes.
Now, delving into the concepts mentioned in the provided article on counterfeiting:
1. Official Minting Process:
- Selective Techniques: The official minting process is described as selective, where one technique replaces another. This implies a deliberate evolution in the methods employed by official mints to produce currency and coins.
2. Counterfeiting Techniques:
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Cumulative Nature: Counterfeiting is characterized as cumulative, involving the addition of new techniques to existing ones over time. This leads to a diverse array of counterfeiting methods, making detection challenging.
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Chief Methods:
- Casting: Counterfeit coins are often produced through casting. A lead alloy is poured into a prefabricated mold, typically made of plaster in modern times.
- Striking: Another chief method involves striking, where the chosen metal is mechanically cut into pieces of desired thickness and stamped with the desired imprint. Sometimes, the metal is colored to imitate the appearance of gold.
3. Banknote Counterfeiting:
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Stages of Banknote Counterfeiting:
- Acquisition of Appropriate Paper: Counterfeiters begin by acquiring paper suitable for banknote replication.
- Watermarks and Security Marks: The process includes rendering watermarks (often omitted), reproducing security marks, and then imprinting and numbering the bills.
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Modern Techniques:
- Offset Techniques: Contemporary counterfeiters frequently use offset techniques for imprinting banknotes.
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Sophisticated Methods:
- Value Alteration: Modern counterfeiters employ sophisticated methods to alter the value of genuine banknotes. This includes taking advantage of bills of various values that share the same size, such as U.S. banknotes.
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Primitive Methods:
- Manual Cutting-Up Process: A more primitive technique involves manually cutting genuine banknotes into pieces, resulting in one additional bill for every 12 real ones. However, these resulting banknotes are smaller and easily recognizable.
The intricate details provided in the article highlight the dynamic nature of both official minting processes and counterfeiting methods, underscoring the perpetual cat-and-mouse game between authorities and those engaged in illicit activities.
