Welcome to my site. I am Robert Matthews C.Chem., MRSC, a former Queen's Assay Master at the Royal Mint. I have over thirty years experience of examining coins and acting as an expert witness on counterfeit coins. My recent publications include papers on the manufacture of the proof sovereign, and a number on counterfeiting.
The aim of this website is to assist in the battle against the counterfeiting of coins. To achieve this aim the site provides information on genuine British milled coins, on the science of examining coins and on counterfeit coins of all types. A new edition of the Counterfeit Coin Newsletter is posted on this site every six months. The latest edition of the Newsletter is at: Counterfeit Coin Newsletter No.9 December 2007. Access to the other information on the site is via the Coin Information page, whose link is on the left. Any information on counterfeit coins and corrections to any errors on the site are welcome.
I also offer a coin authentication service for British milled coins. To undertake this I have
the modern equipment required for coin examination.
This includes an analytical balance with a density kit, a stereomicroscope, a
Sigmatest conductivity meter, digital callipers, digital photographic equipment, modern IT equipment
and crucially a
well-stocked library of suitable reference material. I can easily
access outside resources such as x-ray surface analysis, electron microscopy
and spectroscopy and suitable literature and reference materials.
Contact me by e-mail to obtain estimated prices and details on how to submit coins for examination. The site contains examples of scientific reports I have produced.
Note: in what appears to be a concerted attempt to smear my name an imposter is attempting to enter coins on to the forgerynetwork.com under this web site address. Please do not be deceived, I only give authentication opinions on British milled coins that have been examined in hand.