Fake NatWest Pigs..

Like anything collectable that has a value, you will find many counterfeit/fake items around and they can have no significant monetary value.

The main thing to look out for is the condition of the ceramics, the colour scheme and the size of the features,  they should be flawless without any markings what appear to look like cracks in the gloss, also known as “crazing”. The only item wade has produced where you will find crazing is the mug. It's common for the more valuable pigs to be copied, Nathaniel and Wesley regularly appear for sale, unsuspecting buyers can pay over £100 for a pig thats not genuine, however there is a market for these pigs and some buyers like the different versions of Sir Nathaniel.

Wade only made Nathaniel in the black suit and then under the Lombard issue with a Navy Suit. There were only 2 white Nathaniel's made and they remain in a private collection, you will see more advertised but they are all non genuine wade pigs. Additionally there were some Gold Nathaniel's made for competition winners on a 1980’s series called Challenge Anneka, again copies do appear.

Gold pigs carry some value so have also been targeted within the counterfeit market, the Gold Piggy Banks described on the limited edition page are the true originals. There are stories of "directors" versions and "pre-wade versions". While it's difficult to prove that these are not genuine, it's also difficult to prove that they are as there is a lack of corroboration. Someone's background story is all you are going by so approach with caution.