Brussels, 31/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - The number of counterfeit euro coins removed from circulation in 2013 decreased by 4% compared to the year before thanks to preventative measures and cooperation among the member states, explained the European Commission on 30 January. In 2013, national authorities in all eurozone countries withdrew a total of 175,900 fake euro coins. While the absolute number of removed coins decreased for every single denomination, the 2 euro denomination remains by far the most counterfeited at 2 out of 3 counterfeit euro coins detected (67.6% of the total, compared with 65.7% in 2012). The proportion of counterfeit 50 cent coins fell (16.7% of the total, down from 16.84%) as did that of 1 euro coins (15.6% of the total, down from 17.4%). (FG/transl.fl)