The state archaeology department has issued an advisory alerting coin collectors and history lovers that many counterfeit vintage coins are circulating in the market through online portals. It has also emphasised that most fraudulent activities are happening around the Shivrai, a copper coin minted during the reign of 17th century Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji and carried on by later Maratha rulers. It remained in circulation till the end of the 19th century, primarily in Bombay Presidency.

It has revealed that many rackets are active in Gujarat and West Bengal where fake coin die are being used to forge counterfeit Shivrai coins and are later being sold at cheap rates. The department has further appealed to the public to get coins checked by experts to avoid cheating. At present in the market such coins are available from Rs 600 to Rs 1,000, while the real coins cost between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000.

Talking to Pune Mirror, Vilas Wahane, assistant director of the state archaeology department, said, "Because fake coins are being circulated, people must cross check the genuineness of coins through numismatists as only they are aware of the standard weight and metal quantity."

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State archaeologists warn about fake coins (https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/state-archaeologists-warn-about-fake-coins/articleshow/68261262.cms)