Press Release: Euro coin counterfeiting in 2010

The number of counterfeit euro coins removed from circulation in 2010 increased by 8% compared to the year before, with a total of 186,000 coins seized, compared to 172,000 in 2009. Overall, the level of counterfeit coins remains extremely low, proving that the combined efforts of the Commission, OLAF (the EU's anti-fraud office), other EU institutions and the Member States, are paying off. The 2-euro coin remains by far the most affected by this criminal activity, representing almost 3 out of every 4 counterfeit coins.