The War Against Counterfeit Money

mint presents: The War Against Counterfeit Money More than $750 billion in U.S. curency is in circulation. Around $60 million of it is fake. One out of 12,500 U.S. dollars is a counterfeit, which means you've probably seen a false bill yourself. $12,500 Legal Money As scanners and printers become more powerful, the Department of Treasury must try to out-tech the bad guys with increasingly sophisticated money. Meanwhile, most of us just spend our Lincolns on foot longs and never know the difference. $1 The following explains the state of counterfeiting and what we're doing about it today: Counterfeit Where does most counterfeiting happen? History of U.S. Currency Changes United States 1690 The international The first paper popularity of the U.S. China China is money Massachusetts Bay Colony issued the first paper money in THISL 19o tndrated Bt dollar makes it a currently facing natural target for increases in counter- counterfeiting, espe- feiting problems, especially in the cen- tral and eastern parts the United States cially outside the United States. colonies. Colo- Ne-Eoelad AGount nial currencies depreciated rapidly and were often not of the country. Europe The European Central Bank claims that around 600,000 counterfeit Euros are accepted even within the same withdrawn each year, or around €15m last year. colony. 1775 Continental currency In order to finance Portrait A legitimate bill has a portrait which stands out from the background. Counterfeits often have the Revolutionary War, Continental Anti-counterfeiting measures Congress issued Paper Genuine currency paper has tiny blue and red fibers. Sometimes coun- terfeiters print blue and red lines on their paper, but it's easy to spot. paper currency. However, the money depreciated rapidly due to its lack of gold or silver backing. Security Threads Embedded threads of plastic or metal that show when held to light are often woven into bills. flat portraits. For added security, hidden water- mark portraits show up on real bills in obscure spots. 1777 United States The first notes Border Clear and unbroken scro- Ilwork and borders mark a true bill. Often fakes will be blurred and indistinct due to bearing the name "United States" 50000 T Serial Numbers Serial numbers are prin- ted in a distinctive style and are spaced evenly. Counterfeiters often get the wrong shade of ink or text style on the serial numbers, since they change on every bill. 1791 Free banking Era were issued after the signing of the Banks at this time 100000 T Declaration of could print their own notes and act the high resolution detail required. Independence. as agents of the U.S. government. Very little regula- tion occurred PEDSAES during this period. JB00000000T Jedodooa এ00000। AUGESTAINSURANCE EANRI 100 Microprinting Small printed words Raised Print Enhanced intaglio printing processes create texture on 1861 The Civil War In order to fund the war, Congress issued official $5. $10, and Seals Treasury seals on real bills are clear, are often hidden in the art. These details are difficult to find and reproduce for many counterfeiters. parts of real bills, distinct, and sharp - actual seals and not such as Ben just flat like when forgers print them. Franklin's left shoulder in the $20 bills. $100 bill. Fake bills have trouble reproducing this. 1862 1863 Gold and silver Hoarders As the Civil War certificates. Certificates backed by precious metals continued, people How to spot a counterfeit bill began distrusting notes (especially Confederate) and were issued and printed in green and gold for easy recognition. began to hoard UV Machines Ultraviolet light exposes toner dust remaining from when bills are artificially printed. silver and gold. Detector Pen When an iodine solution is 1913 The End of applied to wood-based paper (counterfeit), it turns black. When it's applied to fiber-based paper (usually real money), it does nothing. The Federal Reser- ve was established, ending gold-backed certificates. 1914 $1 Federal Reserve Note Notes represen- ting currency and issued by the Fed are the most common form of money today. Magnetic Detection Magnification This is a manual process that involves magnifying bills and searching for microprint 1934 $1,000 Federal Reserve Note Real bills contain metals that Gold itself beco- mes illegal as a form of currency, and the Federal can be detected using magnetic detectors. and details that counterfeiters may have Reserve issues the only legal missed. tender. 1963 The Dollar Bill Lighted Reflection Some bills have color changing metallic stamps (like the $100 bill). When held and tilted, a person can tell whether the stamp is real or simply printed on. Watermark The dollar most of us know became a Federal Reserve Detection note. Watermarks are embossed 2003 Redesign Currency crime- fighting gets an overhaul with the into bills and can be seen when the bills are held up to light. It is difficult to reproduce good watermarks. RENITED STEES OPAMERIEA redesign of $5, $10, $50 and $100 PSESTIS ONE DOLAR Federal Reserve notes. 2010 The new $100 bil is the Department of Treasury's most advanced anti-counterfeiting note yet: 3D security ribbon. A blue ribbon is woven into the paper (not printed on it) that changes when you tilt the bill. When you move the bill side to side, bells change to 100s and move up an down. RTEN OTE Lo000 000 TIUND STANE DOLLA OFAMIERCA lorrs 1770 THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE Hoerica FRANKLIN WE TRUST ENT OF MERGE EN SPEC ECIM thonds ahs biont raspechto he opunions of mankend uguis JB 00000000T cenneetid tham-aith anetha, an 2009 100 Bell in the Inkwell A color-shifting bell appears to disappear Gold 100 within this The large gold 100 inkwell as it numeral on the back shifts from is mainly for the visually impaired, green to copper as you tilt the bill. but it's a nice touch. by @shanesnow of printingchoice.com for mint Sources: United States Department of Treasury, United States Secret Service, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago TREASUR