IR-Detection
In modern bank notes they widely use dyes which are perceived at sight as dyes of the same colour but have different reflection in infra-red spectrum range. Such an effect is called as IR-metamerism of dyes. If a drawing is made with two dyes identical in hue but different in properties, than in IR-range of spectrum one will see only a part of the whole drawing corresponding to the zone coated with the dye reflecting IR-rays.

Zones IR on the euro banknote

Magnetic Detection
During bank notes printing they use dyes with magnetic properties that appear after adding some ferromagnetic components into a dye. Such a dye can be detected by means of magnetic image visualizers or by testers with magnetic head. They often print serial numbers or fragments of metallographic picture with a magnetic dye.

UV-Detection
At bank notes and other securities printing they use fluorescentdyes, i.e., dyes capable to glow under exposure to UV-radiation. To give a dye such a property, they add special components into it - luminescent solids that do not glow in natural light, but under exposure to UV-radiation there appears luminescence of one or other colour called fluorescence.

Spectrum Analysis
To make paper currency they use mixed dyes of special composition. Only a spectrum analysis of dye (which is done in some specific, specially selected spectrum ranges) permits to precisely define colours ratio parameters and to detect a counterfeit bank note printed by a counterfeit dye.

Know Your Money
Characteristics of US Money
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How To Detect Counterfeit Money
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Safer, Smarter, More Secure $50 Note Issued
A new $50 note was issued on September 28, 2004. The new notes are safer because they're harder to fake and easier to check; smarter to stay ahead of tech-savvy counterfeiters; more secure to protect the integrity of U.S. currency.
Learn about the new $50 note >>

Safer, Smarter, More Secure $20 Note Issued
A safer, smarter and more secure $20 note began circulating October 9, 2003, as part of the U.S. government's ongoing effort to stay ahead of counterfeiting and maintain worldwide confidence and trust in U.S. currency.
Learn about the new $20 note >>


For complete technical information about counterfeit banknote detection methods please refer to www.indigoimage.com/count/

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