William Hickson, 33, had the £820 cash stuffed in his socks when he was searched at a Newcastle cop station.
At first glance, the 41 bills appear to be genuine, but a hint Geordie slang gives them away.
While they boast the portrait of economist Adam Smith and pin factory workers on the reverse side, the wad also read “twenty poond” rather than twenty pounds.
The counterfeit bills also all had the same serial number.
The Newcastle Crown Court today heard how Hickson had been arrested on an unrelated matter last year when the police searched him and found the money.
The MailOnline reported that Prosecutor Andrew Finlay said officers instantly realised the cash was fake.
Mr Finlay said: “There was £820, 41 notes in total. They all had the same serial number.
“The notes were examined by an expert from the Bank of England, who confirmed they were not real.”
Hickson admitted to possessing counterfeit currency.
Rachel Hedworth, the Gateshead man’s lawyer, told the court he had suffered “significant adversity” in his life.
She added: “He has accepted he was in simple possession of them and accepted he would have gone on to use them, had he had the opportunity.”
Miss Hedworth said the 33-year-old had not realised the notes were fake when he got them.
But, she said: “After a period of time he did realise that they were.”
Mr Recorder Jason Pitter KC told Hickson: “You were arrested and in your possession was £820 cash. All of that money was counterfeit.
“That is a very serious offence, which for obvious reasons crosses the custody threshold.
“The existence of counterfeit money undermines the economic system.”
The court heard Hickson does not have an extensive conviction history, but does have a history of mental health problems.
He was sentenced to 23 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements and a year-long curfew between 8pm and 6am.
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