Customised counterfeit protection for coin manufacturers

The coin manufacturer commissioned Schreiner ProSecure to develop a counterfeit-proof and traceable labelling solution for its gold and silver bars from 20 g to 1,000 g and is now using its development, which combines optical counterfeit protection with a modern serialisation solution.

Due to the lucrative business with the coveted precious metal, more and more counterfeit gold bars are appearing. Fraudsters prefer to use tungsten, which is many times cheaper, as the core of the bar and is simply gold-plated. Tungsten has almost the same specific weight as gold, which is why the difference is practically undetectable during normal testing of the bars using a precision balance. Current estimates assume that up to one million such counterfeit tungsten bars are in circulation.

Especially in the case of small gold bars for private investors in the weight range of one to 100 grams, counterfeits are difficult to identify due to the often elaborate packaging of the small bars. MünzManufaktur has been producing customised coins, medals and bars in its own mint for over 30 years.

„In collaboration with Schreiner ProSecure, we have decided to develop a completely new system that will make trading in precious metals more secure for banks and private individuals in future and is compatible with the requirements for the standard production of gold and silver bars,“ explains Managing Director Tobias Dalacker.

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[The MünzManufaktur primarily produces customised coins, medals and bars. The company's own minting plant enables high-quality, high-performance production certified to DIN ISO 9001. It emerged from the company Les Graveurs GmbH in 2011[/infotext].

The challenges of authentication

The existing security features of genuine gold bars, i.e. the labelling with the manufacturer's name, weight and fineness, as well as the assigned serial number and the applied hologram, are not sufficient help in distinguishing genuine and counterfeit gold bars. In particular, a simple serial number can be easily applied to a counterfeit bar by anyone. This is particularly detrimental to the security of private buyers when trading in precious metal bars.

As an alternative to the fine balance, which cannot be used to detect tungsten falsification, testing with a X-ray fluorescence spectrometer be carried out. However, this is very time-consuming and requires a suitable analyser as well as the appropriate equipment. This is why only banks that frequently deal in gold have such equipment. Smaller banks and branches are not equipped with this technology, making it almost impossible for them to quickly authenticate gold bars. Reliable, definitive verification of the authenticity of a bar is only possible at specialised companies or in refineries, for which the bar must be destroyed. Also due to the high costs this is only carried out if there is reasonable suspicion of counterfeiting. For private individuals and banks, trading in precious metal bars is therefore associated with major risks and it is virtually impossible to estimate the number of counterfeit bars in circulation.

Combination of optical counterfeit protection and serialisation solution

An ideal labelling solution combines optical counterfeit protection with a modern serialisation solution such as the KeySecure system from Schreiner ProSecure. KeySecure is a modularly structured Tracing system, which enables the worldwide traceability of a product or, as in the case of MünzManufaktur, a gold bar. Each packaging unit is given a highly complex 15-digit alphanumeric security code as a unique identifier: a kind of fingerprint. This can be checked via the internet, a smartphone or a hotline, allowing product authentication at every stage of distribution.

The code is printed as a plain text number, barcode or integrated into a 2D data matrix code. In the specific solution for MünzManufaktur, the KeySecure system links security features on a label with security features embossed directly into the bars on a web platform. Everyone involved in the life cycle of the precious metals, such as bank employees and buyers, can scan the KeySecure code using a smartphone and check it for authenticity quickly and easily via the Schreiner ProSecure security server. The user also receives an explanation of the security features to be checked via the web portal.

Customised labels

The labels customised for MünzManufaktur for this solution always come in pairs. One of them is stuck directly to the back of the gold bar, the other to the packaging film in which the bar is shrink-wrapped. Both labels are made from a special material with Manipulation display, a so-called Void effect. They are used wherever the tampering of a self-adhesive solution needs to be clearly and irrevocably visualised. Any attempt to peel it off is reliably indicated. The „warning message“ that has been triggered remains intact even if the tape is precisely reapplied.

The KeySecure code is printed on the labels both in plain text and as a data matrix code (DMC). In addition, the KeySecure serialisation is used with the „Slot number“ of the batches of raw gold, which is not visible to the end user. In addition, the MünzManufaktur customer logo in tilt colours provides visual protection against counterfeiting. Depending on the viewing angle of the label surface, the colour impression changes when tilted. This Special colours are reserved for security printers such as Schreiner Group and enable special colour combinations that can be read using special filters or readers, depending on their characteristics.

[infotext icon]As an innovative high-tech printing company, Schreiner Group works to the highest security standards. This is the prerequisite for security-relevant orders from banks, authorities and special customers such as Münz-Manufaktur. Numerous certifications, such as that of the particularly stringent North American Security Product Organisation (NASPO), confirm that the high requirements are met by the print shops[/infotext].

Adapted solution and new competences

„As we are not tied to individual security technologies, we were able to advise the coin manufacturer independently and develop a highly customised solution for the challenges of the specific application. This starts with the right adhesive for precious metals and ranges from the selection of suitable anti-counterfeiting features to the integration of KeySecure into the customer portal,“ explains André Siebeneicher, Business Development Manager at Schreiner ProSecure.

[infotext]Schreiner ProSecure, a Competence Centre of Schreiner Group GmbH & Co. KG in Oberschleissheim, develops and produces customised security technologies and products for brand and document protection. The specialist realises intelligent system solutions for forgery-proof labelling, sealing and monitoring of the distribution chain[/infotext].

The coin manufacturer also had to overcome a number of challenges before introducing security labelling across the board: