PHILIPSBURG--Counterfeit five-guilder coins are in circulation, according to the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten. The coins bear the year 1998 and 1999, or are slightly smaller or slightly larger than the real currency. The difference in size is at first sight not noticeable.
One of the security features of the five-guilder coin (this also applies to the one-guilder coins) is that they are magnetic. This means that they continue to cling to a magnet, the counterfeit coins do not cling to magnets.
The Bank advises the public to pay attention to receiving five-guilder coins. Immediately call the police if you think you are dealing with a counterfeit coin.
The forgery of currency or payment of consciously false money carries a prison sentence of nine years.
