Received in change

[Nevol]

Now that Fred mentions it, I do remember Brissyboy telling me about the fake $2 coins. I can't remember the specific years, but the giveaway was the really scruffy look to them, looking very worn, just like the 1998 one.

I think there was more than 1 year involved then, all from the 90's with the Q's 3rd Portrait.  

Totally different to the 2003 fakes with spaghetti hair that surfaced later on.

[Hercules]

Still can't locate any of my prior pics of this type of 'error' which leads me to conclude that I must have been dreaming about them.

I remember finding a 1967 50c when I was 11 years old, but I couldn't remember where I put it. Needless to say, I now believe that it was just a dream.

[JeffH]

I think Fred might be right. I did some research on fakes and came up with mentions of 1988, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2002 and 2003 being found.
Some of the identifying feature mentioned are;
•Offset and/or double rims,
•Larger diameter than genuine,
•Appearance of excessive wear (probably made that way).
So, although 1998 is not on the list, I will put it as a fake unless someone comes up with a better suggestion.

[Mister T]

It may well be fake (the rough patch in front of the Aborigine's beard doesn't look right at all) but I'm not convinced.
Interesting to note are the heavy fish-tailing on ALI in Australia and the wider rim on the right hand side of the reverse.

I think there are a number of 2008 5c pieces that have a double rim on one or both sides too - not sure if there was ever a better explanation than 'something that happened during die production' though.

[fred lever]

Hi All, I checked back in my archives and found the CAB article that kicked me off into doing some $2 research in 2012, that by the way was never published in CAB, it was far too long.
The original article was by W.C. Holt in the CAB October 2007 issue and included images from his web site "oldmoney.com".
W.C put the fakes into categories and I extended that further in my research ( with type1, type2,type3 and so on) where I went through my "error" coin collection and found all sorts of odd looking  $2 coins from 1995 onwards. I have a specimen that has the double rim on the queen's side and I joked that "here is another mule!", now they sell them on ebay! My God.
I may revive the article and try and trim it down a tad in size to make it publishable.
To update the article do you guys mind if I use your images from this site and possibly some words to include in an update?
If I have your permission I will always acknowledge the source of images and text and may find once I get back to my text (my mind is blank about what I wrote so i'll have to do it all again) that JeffH and Nevol have additional types.
Cheers, Fred Lever.

[JeffH]

No copyright on any images I post here -go for it Fred.

[Nevol]

No copyright on any images I post here -go for it Fred.

Same from me, you're welcome to use anything I've posted including Piccies.

[fred lever]

Thanks guys, I finally read what I had written back then and found I had uncovered all the types you guys have found already  and documented them as types in one article. I'll probably use Jeffh's side on view picture as I did not do such a shot to emphasise the difference in diameter of that certain type ( I think they are the recycled withdrawn coins re-struck in a slightly larger plain collar). It is only when you corral a bunch of strange looking coins into one area and compare and start thinking about it that you realise what has gone on and how many different scams have been committed. I'll also try and find a reference to the criminal action proceedings against the various people who were re-importing withdrawn coins, either restruck to freshen them up ,or plain just put back into circulation at a profit! The types that WC Holt pointed out were dead set die struck copies with "about" the same images on the sides , IE our Monarch on one side and an Elder on the other but both dimensionally wrong! Not obvious until you actually look and look again!
Thanks, Fred.

[runway]

It may well be fake (the rough patch in front of the Aborigine's beard doesn't look right at all) but I'm not convinced.
Interesting to note are the heavy fish-tailing on ALI in Australia and the wider rim on the right hand side of the reverse.

I think there are a number of 2008 5c pieces that have a double rim on one or both sides too - not sure if there was ever a better explanation than 'something that happened during die production' though.

Definitely the 2008 5c have the double rim effect

[fred lever]

Hi again, re the $2 duds, I freshened up my research and will submit a new article for CAB on the subject. There were many dud $2 coins in circulation from several sources which I imagine by now have been shut down. Basically they are pressure cast/ crude die struck as the type shown by WC Holt, cast types just like that 1995 in this thread and mentioned by Andrew on the Sterling currency site available O/S "by the bag full", or re-cycled recalled coins die struck to straighten them out hence the thinner larger size, or rejects just plain re-imported into the country as mentioned where the culprit was charged with "obtaining benefit by deception".
To find the references I checked back through my CABs, contacted WC Holt, googled key words like "fake 2 dollar coins Australia" which pulls up the web sites like Sterling, oldcoins, drake sterling and so on where mentions are made. In my article I explain where I checked back through the error part of my coin collection and found about 20 coins that were odd, 1/2 of then are the usual die fills, cuds, miss-strikes and the other 1/2 are very very suspect and comply with the appearance of  cast/recycled/restruck/ and those are activities not carried out at our Aussie mint! I'll keep an eye on the $2 coins in my change from now on I had completely forgotten about the "duds".
Fred.

[jimmy1979]

I got one of those new Possum Magic $2 coins today from Woolworths, but what an exhaustive effort that was. The cashier that served me said she didn't have any and to ask at the service desk. I went and asked if they had the new $2 coins. The response I got was "What about them?". I asked "Can I please have one?". She said "I'll have to see if I can give you one". she then goes to speak to a manager who says I can get one only if I get it in my change. I proceeded to show her that I was given $4.15 in change from the cashier and all I want is to exchange one $2 coin for another. They reluctantly agreed to exchange it for me

Incase anyone missed it, the ones Woolies have are the circulating coins
http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/woolworth-brings-out-new-2-coins-with-possum-magic-illustrations-from-mem-foxs-famous-book/news-story/8a311a14092925a5ee15d7aec4f1e09b

[Mister T]

Wait they're circulating?

Good grief.

[Goldseeker]

Yes, the three x $2 coins with be circulating coins.   One this week followed by a second one next Tuesday then another week for the third.

I received two in change this morning and I saw the checkout lass tear the $50 bag open.   If I had known I might have tried to buy the unbroken bag.

[rollycoins]

Tried getting the unbroken bag but to no avail! They apparently are only allowed to hand out 2 per customer and they seemed reluctant to unless you asked for it. Then again, eBay and the resources sellers there always manage to have multiple bags up for sale!

[Pedro]

Periodically I check what coins the wife has in her purse. Today she only had about $4 in change in there but .... one was a 2010 rotated 50c :yahoo:

Pedro