11/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - Increase in number of counterfeit euro coins seized. In 2012, the number of counterfeit euro coins seized rose by 17% to 184,000 compared with 2011's 157,000, according to figures released on Monday 11 February 2013 by the European Commission. The two-euro coin is the most often falsified (121,000 counterfeit two-euro coins were seized, up from 94,500 in 2011). There are some 16.5 million euro coins in circulation, giving a ratio of 1 counterfeit per 100,000 coins. The Commission has suggested harmonising minimum penalties for counterfeiting across the EU27 (see EUROPE 10779). In January, the ECB released figures on the number of counterfeit euro notes seized (see EUROPE 10762). (MB/transl.fl)