Antique coin forger sentenced to six months jail

The London Metropolitan Police report that David Hutchings, 43, unemployed of Cross Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, plead guilty at Warwick Crown Court on March 16, 2009.

... Hutchings claimed to be an avid metal detectorist who had found the coins at various times and locations....

Hutchings' defence throughout police interviews and at court, was that he bought the coins from two dealers 'Gary and Steve' believing they were all genuine. However, he was unable to identify either dealers whereabouts.

Also found at Hutchings' home address during the search were a number of real coins, believed to have been used as a base for test striking during the manufacture of some of the fake coins.

Experts from the British Museum and Fitzwilliam Museum assessed the coins recovered as part of this case and concluded that all had either been manufactured by casting in a mould or struck using forged dies.

Detective Constable Ian Lawson from the Met's Art & Antiques Unit said: "Whilst the overall value of these coins is relatively low, the level of deception and harm Hutchings has caused the individuals and businesses embroiled in his lies is significant.

(Via a post by Dave Welsh on Unidroit-L and Ancientartifacts.)