| |
|
|
How to spot counterfeit currency |
.. Geoff, April 10/2003 |
So far, we have only had one minor incidence of a customer giving us
counterfeit currency--a single US $20. However if you suspect that you are
getting fake money, here is how to tell.
Canadian Currency
Canadian bank notes have several visible security features.
- The most visible is the Optical Security Device (OSD) in the
upper left-hand corner of the $20, $50, $100, and $1000 notes. The patch
changes colour from gold to green when tilted. It cannot be peeled off. The
patch isnot on the $5 and $10 notes.
- Small green dots or planchettes also appear randomly on both
sides of a bank note. The dots glow under ultraviolet light and they will peel
off if scratched.
- Genuine bank notes also have a distinctive look and feel due to the
clarity and sharpness of the images. The intaglio or raised-ink
printing feels thicker to the touch on numerals, the portrait, the coat of
arms, the broad bands and on the vignette of the Parliament buildings. Raised
ink also produces sharpness around the portrait's eyes, and fine lines in the
hair and face.
- In the background on the front of the note, the denomination numeral
and the words BANK OF CANADA are printed in extremely small type. This is
called micro-printing.
- The serial number of each note consists of a prefix of 3 letters
followed by a unique 7 digit number printed on the back of each note.
- The paper used in Canadian notes is such that a genuine note does not
glow under ultraviolet light unless it has been washed with certain detergents.
- The colour of bank notes is also a security feature. Each
colour is difficult to match and a difference in tone may be noticed
when comparing a suspect not to genuine notes.
Poster from the Bank
of Canada on how to spot counterfeit currency
US Currency
Businesses should be able to recognize the note when a customer pays
using a new $50 bill. Also, if you happen to give a customer a $50 bill in
change following a large purchase, you can provide a helpful service by
identifying features of the new currency for them. The new $50 bill has a
number of features that make it easy to identify and hard to counterfeit. Among
them are:
- Larger, off-center portrait - On the new $50 bill, the enlarged
portrait of Ulysses S. Grant is easier to recognize, while the added detail is
harder to duplicate. The portrait is now off-centered, providing room for a
watermark and reducing wear and tear on the portrait.
- Watermark portrait - A watermark identical to the portrait is visible
from both sides when held to a light.
- Security thread - A polymer thread embedded vertically in the paper
to the right of the portrait indicates the $50 denomination. The words "USA 50"
and a flag can be seen from both sides of the note when held up to a bright
light. Additionally, this thread glows yellow when held under an ultraviolet
light.
- Color-shifting ink - The number in the lower right corner on the
front of the note looks green when viewed straight on, but appears black when
viewed at an angle.
- Low-Vision feature - The large numeral on the back of the note is
easy to read.
- Serial numbers - An additional letter is added to the serial number.
The unique combination of 11 numbers and letters appears twice on the front of
the note.
- Micro printing - Because they're so small, micro printed words are
hard to replicate. On the front of the note, "Fifty" is repeated within the
side borders, and "United States of America" is imprinted in Grant's collar.
- Federal Reserve indicators - A new universal seal represents the
entire Federal Reserve System. A letter and number beneath the left serial
number identifies the issuing Federal Reserve Bank.
Problems
& questions | Print