Does anyone know when they started putting the security strips in large bills? My wife was convinced that I took a fake $50 the other night because it didn't have one in it. It was from 1988, but the bank took it, so I'm in the clear. Just curious, thanks in advance.
Honestly, i dont know off the top of my head. My friedberg book is still at work, so i cant look till tomorrow. Clembo might now, hes good with these types of questions
According to the BEP website ( specifically http://www.bep.treas.gov/section.cfm/7/35 ), the security thread was first used in 1990. Their website, is, however, quite unsearchable. The search phrase "security thread" found zero documents. I found this link from their hotlinks Anti-counterfeiting>Security Features. Which, oddly enough, uses the phrase "security thread." I couldn't find more detailed info on which bill had a thread when. Wait for clembo (or others), he probably has this sort of thing memorized. (edit: The title of the subsection is: "Pre-1996 Series Security Features," however, it goes on to say, "All 1990 series and later notes, except the $1 and $2 notes, include this feature . . ." I had originally put 1996 as the date - changed to 1990.)
"Security Features Introduced in Series 1996 Notes The watermark is formed by varying paper density in a small area during the papermaking process . . . same page at Bureau of Engraving and Printing -- http://www.bep.treas.gov/section.cfm/7/35 Honestly? I don't know. I have a very poor memory. I'm kinda taking the govmint at their word here. (I have to assume the watermark is what you meant by "the second image on the other side.") Please don't take my word for gospel, others here are FAR more knowledgeable about paper currency -- modern, older, or otherwise. I, too, am merely a student.
I believe the series 1990 is when they put the thread in, and the series 1996 is when the moved them around and added a UV die to give them color (5=blue, 10=orange, 20=green, 50=yellow, 100=red), the UV light must be at 365NM to see the red in the $100, but the yellow in the $50 can be seen with practically any cheap UV light. The rest are somewhere in between.
You are correct Sir... The thread is used as an anti-counterfiting measure. The BEP does try to stay on top of these issues as with ne the notes comning out that are tougher to re-make by the crooks printing funny money! I recall being in the presence of a State Trooper (friend) who used an exacto to slice open and remeove a thread for identification due to the bad guy's having access to the same technology!! I did get to go to the Research Labs in the Police HQ with him one time and they have some pretty cool stuff! NOt so much as the SS but for small time crooks!! Wait until the new $100 comes out!! RickieB
Didn't know off the top of my head so I googled Security Thread. Apparently that's easier than trying to find in on the BEP website. " Pre-1996 Series Security Features Security Thread A security thread is a thin thread or ribbon running through a bank note substrate. All 1990 series and later notes, except the $1 and $2 notes, include this feature. The note’s denomination is printed on the thread. In addition, the threads of the new $5, $10, $20 and $50 notes have graphics in addition to the printed denomination. The denomination number appears in the star field of the flag printed on the thread. The thread in the new notes glows when held under a long-wave ultraviolet light. In the new $5 it glows blue, in the new $10 it glows orange, in the new $20 note it glows green, in the new $50 note it glows yellow, and in the new $100 note it glows red. Since it is visible in transmitted light, but not in reflected light, the thread is difficult to copy with a color copier which uses reflected light to generate an image. Using a unique thread position for each denomination guards against certain counterfeit techniques, such as bleaching ink off a lower denomination and using the paper to "reprint" the bill as a higher value note. Microprinting This print appears as a thin line to the naked eye, but the lettering easily can be read using a low-power magnifier. The resolution of most current copiers is not sufficient to copy such fine print. On the newly designed $5, microprinting can be found in the side borders and along the lower edge of the portrait's frame on the face of the note. On the new $10, microprinting appears in the numeral "10" in the lower left-hand corner and along the lower edge of the portrait's frame on the face of the note. On the Series 1996 $20 notes, microprinting appears in the lower left corner numeral and along the lower edge ornamentation of the oval framing the portrait. On the $50 notes, microprinting appears on the side borders and in Ulysses Grant's collar. On the $100 notes, microprinting appears in the lower left corner numeral and on Benjamin Franklin's coat. In 1990, 1993 and 1995 series notes, "The United States of America" is printed repeatedly in a line outside the portrait frame. "
