This week I added two fascinating pieces to my banknote vignette collection (http://www.cointalk.com/t199225/): a Lazy Two and a Lazy Five. Obsolete bank note collectors will appreciate them, I think. These were engraved in the 1840s as anti-counterfeiting devices for banknotes of the period. They were created using a very specialized "ruling machine" which converted bas relief (3-D) objects into a series of tightly engraved lines. The lines give a dimensionality that is very hard to reproduce by forgery. The proof of a $2 note from The Hamilton Bank (not part of my collection) shows how the Lazy 2 was integrated into the design. More often these were used as colored underprints on a note, creating a background tint also very hard to counterfeit. These were a great buy on eBay, probably because few people recognized what they were. A little knowledge is a valuable thing!
