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Coins

Counterfeit coins

The regulations governing counterfeit euro coins are contained in the Decree of 1 March 2002 by the Ministry for the Economy and Finance implementing the indications given in EC Council Regulation No 1338/2001 of 28.06.2001.

The above-mentioned decree identifies the agencies required to withdraw suspect euro coins from circulation whenever they come into possession of them for whatever reason. Among these, for example, are banks, post offices (Poste Italiane), investment companies, savings management companies, financial intermediaries, exchange agents, and insurance companies.

When any of the above receive suspect coins, they must give a receipt to the bearer, and immediately send the coins to the Centro Nazionale di Analisi (CNAC) at the Italian State Printing Works and Mint. If the coins are then found to be genuine, the State Mint will inform the Cassa Speciale per le monete a debito dello Stato, and the bearer will be reimbursed for the face value of the coins withdrawn. If, on the other hand, the coins are found to be counterfeit, no reimbursement will be made.