Counterfeit Prevention Measures in World Currency Today

Over the past few decades, the international phenomenon of counterfeiting of modern currency has slowly acquired such alarming proportions that it has turned into a serious problem for Governments the world over. In order to control this international criminal activity and protect the currencies of their respective countries, Governments around the world have been effecting changes in their currency notes from time to time.

The worldwide increase in the incidence of the production of counterfeit currency is taking place owing to the availability and advent of new technology in the form of powerful consumer image editing software, high-resolution scanners and other necessary computer equipment at very low prices. Such technology has made it very easy for the counterfeiters to prepare duplications of the designs and images imprinted on the modern currency. Taking up the challenge of tackling the growing threat of counterfeit currency very seriously, the Governments around the globe are taking firm steps to both control as well as prevent such duplication. Here, we talk about some such measures that are being undertaken worldwide.

In the late 80s the United States government issued 20, 50 and 100 dollar denominations that included a “security strip” inside the bill. This security strip is made of fluorescent plastic and is embedded in the bill itself. The strip runs from the top to the bottom of these bills and can be easily read when held under a fluorescent light bulb. The denomination of the bill is clearly written on the strip, which can help prevent counterfeiters from “upgrading” lower denominations of bill to higher denominations by “washing” the ink from the paper and reprinting the graphics of the bill using dye sub or laser printers.

Watermarking is another method that can prevent the counterfeiting of currency. This method is being used in the United States wherein the latest bills issued by the treasury contain images designed into the paper itself. These watermarked images on bills of different denominations match the images of different US Presidents. For example, the $100-bill bears the likeness of the former US President Benjamin Franklin with respect to the standard image as well as the watermark. These images can be seen quite easily when we hold the bills against a source of light.

It is noteworthy to mention that some counterfeit currency has been circulated in which $5 bills have been re-printed with $100 bill images. Although this counterfeit currency looks and feels like the genuine article, when the watermark (which CANNOT be bleached out like the surface images) is held to scrutiny, it will be noted that Lincoln’s face appears in the watermark (as he should on a $5 bill).

Finally, one of the latest counterfeit prevention technologies that have been put into use is special inks that appear to be different colors at different angles. When viewed from the left, for example the color may appear to the eye to be a light green, but as the viewer shifts over to the right, the color changes to black. These color changing inks are very difficult to reproduce as they use a special compound that is very difficult for counterfeiters to manufacture.

These are just a few security features that have been used to secure the Modern United States currency. So be prepared for more new methods and technology to maintain the integrity of the almighty dollar.

Copyright 2006, Devon Valenta, All Rights Reserved. This article may be published on web sites or in newsletters provided this notice and the resource box is included without ammendment.

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Devon Valenta provides a range of resources at his web site: Fone Currency, where you will find information that will help you on many currency related issues. Why not take a look: www.fonecurrency.com
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