Currencies of the World

Handbook on the protection of banknotes

2D-iris

modification of Orlov method which allows achieving continious tone images with borders with smooth color transition in all directions.

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Blind embossing

colorless relief printing. Image made by this technique becomes visible at oblique angle.

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Clear window

transparent site on the banknotes printed on a polymeric substrate which can contain the image, a stamping or to have optical signs.

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Copy protection

set of security features that prevent reproduction of the document by copying machines.

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Fine direct contour

the image formed by thin negative lines; the effect is reached at the expense of a rupture of printing elements of the background image.

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Foil stamping

metallized film or foil stamped to paper with overprinted image or text.

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FVI thread (thread with visual formed image)

a thread incorporated into the paper via a process that holds it in place with cotton fibers and adhesives down each side. The shape or geometry of the threads can be any shape or any color.

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G-switch

an area of the polymer substrate that changes its color when the banknote is tilted. In a way, it is the analog of the OVI security feature used for paper-based documents.

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Graphic features

complex graphic patterns (guilloche elements, rosettes, borders, bands, etc.)

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Guilloche

an ornament made up of a thick network of wavy lines that are interwoven.

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Hidden Mult Color

image of multicolored elements appearing on a unicolored field when angling the illumination. When you turn the banknote (without changing the angle of view) the color of each figure changes.

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Hologram / Kinegram

hologram, kinegram: Graphic motifs on polymer media using the technologies based on the optical effects of interference or diffraction grating.

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intaglio

the image executed in the metalcount way, having relief well defined to the touch.

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Iridescent ink

ink that displays a rainbow effect on images (strip or symbols) when observed at different angles.

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Iris printing

printing method which uses several inks together from one printing plate and rollers with small fixed axial displacement.

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Latent image (Kipp effect)

image made by intaglio printing and observed while looking at a banknote at a particular angle.

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Metallic inks

inks containing metallic pigment. The images made with such inks have specific metallic gloss. The intensity of gloss varies when image is observed at different angles.

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Micropattern

the drawing executed in the form of a grid or a pattern at which copying moire can be formed.

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Microperf

image made of numerous microholes in paper that becomes visible in transmitted light.

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Microprinting

printed image or text visible only with magnifying device.

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Mobile security thread

a security thread with images moving in relation to each other when the banknote is tilted.

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Motion

the security technology based on a system of micro lenses applied to the image. The image under a lens is visually magnified several times, and tilting the banknote creates an effect of movement: the image appears floating above the surface.

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Multi-color metalcount press

the press with local change of color of lines without their gap and shift

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MVC (Moire Variable Colour)

rainbow effect appearing on monochromic field when a banknote is tilted.

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MVC+

combination of offset and intaglio printing. Standard MVC shows variable stripes and colors when the banknote is tilted; MVC+ adds a zone of intaglio print with excellent registration. Inexpensive, durable, with great public recognition.

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Omron rings

anti-copying security represented by small (about 1 mm in diameter) circles of pale, as a rule, yellow, orange, and green colors, chaotically spread over some area of the banknote.

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Optically variable ink

ink that displays shift of colour when observed at different angles.

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Optiks

a type of the security thread, which is visible on both sides of the banknote in a window in paper. The image applied to the thread is seen through the window. The security properties of this element also include the uneven “torn” borders of the window, which is formed during the papermaking.

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Orlov printing

a method of single-run multicolor printing. The Orlov method consists in the formation of separate layers of ink on color-separated plates and the transfer of the inks to a common plate and then to the receiving surface.

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Regular line patterns

graphic feature, type of guilloche - background image made in the form of grid or pattern. It may form moire when copying. Iris printing is often used for producing these feature.

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Requisites

mandatory inscriptions on the banknotes.

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See through register

elements of design printed on both sides of a banknote that register perfectly when observed in transmitted light.

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Shadow image

image that is visible when a banknote is observed in transmitted light. It is used on polymer banknotes only as an analogue of watermark on paper.

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Shiny lacquer with polarization properties

An image consisting of separate small graphic elements and/or microtxts

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Solid (continuous) thread

Security thread: A thin polymer stripe introduced into paper during the papermaking process. It is sometimes called a security ribbon. Solid (Continuous) thread: A thread completely submerged into paper. Generally, it is seen against the light, or in the paper section under magnification.

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SPARK / OVMI

the shift of color based on the viewing angle change, which has a pronounced 3D-image effect and a dynamic effect imitating the movement of inks along the image

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Special raster

the raster applied in an intaglio printing, participates in process of receiving printing forms at a stage of copying of the image.

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Transparent Intaglio Disappearing Effect

a security feature that uses a clear intaglio print over a metallic patch to create unique effects. The image appears then disappears depending on the angle at which the note is held. Also, traditional optically variable inks (OVIs) produce far better colour switching on polymer, whether printed by screen-printing or intaglio printing techniques.

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Varifeye

a see-through window incorporating a clear film of specific optical properties. It is used on paper-based banknotes only.

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Viewsafe

a one-sided polymer window.

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Watermark

image in paper created during the process of paper formation by modification its density and thickness in particular areas.

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WinDOE®

an optically variable device (OVD). By holding the WinDOE® feature up to the eye with a distant point light source in the background (light bulbs or street lights for example, not the sun) the transparent window is transformed into a recognisable image via light diffraction.

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Windowed security thread

security thread partly embedded into paper with some areas surfacing at regular pace.

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