What I want to know is why would you counterfeit (serious charge) when you can use a similar looking coin? For example I was given a South African 5 Rand coin

What I want to know is why would you counterfeit (serious charge) when you can use a similar looking coin? For example I was given a South African 5 Rand coin in my change in Amsterdam (should have been a €2 coin): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:5-za-rand.JPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:5-za-rand.JPG Broke a 20 getting intoxicated in a bar/coffeeshop, then bought a kebab after on my walk back. Kebab shop was only place I got metal change that night. I didn't notice until the next day when a coffee place threw a fuss when I used it to pay for my espresso. I suspect they often mix them in for drunk tourists.