As we all know, Janke-tailored caps are posted all too often on this and other various websites with the proverbial question, "real or repro?" These really cannot be considered fakes, as they all have common characteristics. With bullion insignia, the first and foremost is the cockade. With Jankes, the black ring in the cockade is made out of black thread in lieu of black-painted bullion. For example:
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NEC SOLI CEDIT -
These cockades/wreaths are all made by the same (probably Pakistani) manufacturer, and use the same template.
Also, while Jankes have a good exterior shape (unlike the Latvian fakes), the Jankes generally use East German cords which glow under black light.
Furthermore, most of their linings are inked in, and are then covered with the celluloid sweatdiamond. Common makers are Rudolf Ruf; Spohn u. Klaiber, Criha, and Erel.
Fantasy makers that they have used are Hatrika, Lotze, and Armin Griener.
Lastly, the easiest way to ID these is by what appears to be an Erel-style
reed-shaping rod on the interior, which is synthetic in origin.
In any event, just by the exterior alone, always look for the cockade which uses black cotton thread for the most obvius "red flag." (I myself in almost 30 years of collecting have yet to see an original all-bullion cockade with thread in lieu of bullion).
Perhaps others could list other Janke fantasy makers.NEC SOLI CEDIT -
Better Picture of the cotton thread (this is on ebay.de right now):NEC SOLI CEDITComment
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Good thread stonemint! Erel seems to be a favorite mark to reproduce. There are different degrees of quality on these. Here are a couple higher end Erel fake linings. On the first pic take note of the font size and sweatband type. On the second one take note of the printing. It is not foil but gold print.Comment
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secondComment
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Close up of logoComment
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Close up of sweatbandComment
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As for other nonexistent marks we can’t forget this one.Comment
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I am not sure who is making these but this fake Muller logo has come up a lot recently.Comment
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Here is another JankeComment
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Another recently used mark for reprosComment
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Then the LatviansComment
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Fake HoltersComment
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More JankeComment
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InsideComment
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