Number of counterfeit banknotes remains low
A total of 1,014 counterfeit and altered Czech banknotes and coins were seized in the Czech Republic in 2019. The number of counterfeit banknotes and coins remains low, despite the fact that the amount of circulating currency increases each year. The value of the currency seized was almost CZK 1.2 million, the same as last year, while the amount of currency in circulation rose by CZK 26 billion to CZK 644.4 billion. The thousand-crown note remains the most frequently counterfeited Czech banknote.
As in previous years, the majority of the counterfeit Czech banknotes seized in 2019 were printed on inkjet printers – 841 banknotes, i.e. more than 85% of all seized koruna banknotes. Only 143 seized counterfeit notes were made using colour toner copiers, and one note was made using classic-style printing. On a five-point security scale, the seized banknotes were most frequently given a grade of 4, i.e. poor quality. Such counterfeits usually contain either no protective elements or only simple imitations of them.
“The number of counterfeits seized in the Czech Republic has remained low for several years now. This means Czech banknotes and coins can be described as very secure by international comparison. Even so, you shouldn’t neglect to check them when you receive them,” said Board Member Vojtech Benda.
Counterfeit and altered banknotes and coins seized in 2019 in the Czech Republic
| Seized | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| in circulation | by the police | total | |
| Counterfeit banknotes CZK | 689 | 296 | 985 |
| Counterfeit coins CZK | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Altered banknotes and coins CZK | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| Counterfeit and altered CZK in total | 718 | 296 | 1,014 |
| Counterfeit banknotes EUR | 443 | 164 | 607 |
| Counterfeit banknotes USD | 96 | 0 | 96 |
| Counterfeit banknotes other | 66 | 0 | 66 |
| Counterfeit coins other | 42 | 0 | 42 |
| Altered banknotes and coins other | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Total counterfeit and altered CZK and other currencies | 1,368 | 460 | 1,828 |
The development and application of protective elements on Czech currency ranks among the world’s best. There is only around one counterfeit per 10,000 inhabitants in the Czech Republic. Last year, most counterfeits of Czech banknotes were as usual seized in Prague (321), followed by Ústí nad Labem (182) and Brno (134).
Including foreign currencies, the number of counterfeits seized last year was 1,828, i.e. 283 less than in 2018. This is the fifth annual decline in a row. A total of 814 counterfeit and altered foreign banknotes and coins were seized in the Czech Republic in 2019, a decrease of 286 compared to the previous year. Their value converted according to the exchange rate list of 31 December 2019 was almost CZK 1.5 million.
It is interesting to note that while in 2018, in addition to counterfeit banknotes, 16,148 imitation banknotes and coins were seized, last year their number dropped by almost 14,800, i.e. to a mere 1,291 imitations. This was due to an exceptional case in 2018 where the Czech Police seized 14,056 imitation banknotes at once in Ostrava. Imitations of money are any reproductions (copies) of money produced for some other purpose than to be put into circulation instead of genuine money (theatre and film props, etc.).
The CNB offers instructions on how to check the protective elements of Czech banknotes in the Czech Money app, in interactive educational games, on its website and in information leaflets, for example.
Communications Division