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Laser security marks on gold Maple Leaf coins

I’ve read that a tiny maple leaf is micro-engraved with laser technology on all current gold Maple Leaf coins, and that this technology allows each coin to be matched against a database maintained by the Royal Canadian Mint.

How exactly does one read the micro-engraved maple leaf and match a specific coin to the database? Can individuals do this, or is it something only certain dealers can do?

Comments

  • GreenstangGreenstang Posts: 1,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 8, 2024 4:34AM

    It is called the “DNA authentication process” and can be done on sight by an authorized
    dealer with a special scanner. There is no way of doing this yourself.
    To check the authenticity yourself, compare the radial lines with a genuine coin. These cannot
    be duplicated and counterfeit coins will show less lines that are thicker. This is just another
    security feature.

  • OK. Thanks.

  • WAYNEASWAYNEAS Posts: 6,876 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice feature.
    Wayne

    Kennedys are my quest...

  • BarberianBarberian Posts: 3,759 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Greenstang said:
    It is called the “DNA authentication process” and can be done on sight by an authorized
    dealer with a special scanner. There is no way of doing this yourself.
    To check the authenticity yourself, compare the radial lines with a genuine coin. These cannot
    be duplicated and counterfeit coins will show less lines that are thicker. This is just another
    security feature.

    What does DNA stand for? I hope it doesn't stand for deoxyribonucleic acid. That would be technically false and weird.

    3 rim nicks away from Good
  • GreenstangGreenstang Posts: 1,227 ✭✭✭✭✭

    DNA meaning. Digital Non-Destructive Activation.

  • GreenstangGreenstang Posts: 1,227 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This is the easiest way to see if your gold Maple Leaf is genuine.
    Just compare the thickness and spacing of the radial lines.
    This way there is no testing required.
    I don't usually point out how to identify a counterfeit but in this case the radial lines
    cannot be duplicated. (According to the RCM) so I can't see any harm.

  • YouYou Posts: 308 ✭✭✭

    @Greenstang said:
    This is the easiest way to see if your gold Maple Leaf is genuine.
    Just compare the thickness and spacing of the radial lines.
    This way there is no testing required.
    I don't usually point out how to identify a counterfeit but in this case the radial lines
    cannot be duplicated. (According to the RCM) so I can't see any harm.

    While there are certainly some fakes that don't have the same sort of radial lines, there's no reason that they could not be replicated; they definitely can, and it wouldn't be difficult. That being said, most fakes are not that high quality.

  • GreenstangGreenstang Posts: 1,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 4, 2025 4:54AM

    While there are certainly some fakes that don't have the same sort of radial lines, there's no reason that they could not be replicated; they definitely can, and it wouldn't be difficult. That being said, most fakes are not that high quality.
    If you re going to make statements like this, please supply your source of this information or show an example of a replica. These radial lines along with the two micro engraved Maple Leaves are impossible to replicate at all, let alone easily. I have been reporting counterfeits for years and have never seen a replica that is even close to the original.

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