Peso goes polymer in Mexico - Polymer Bank Notes of the World
Peso goes polymer in Mexico - Polymer Bank Notes of the World
Peso goes polymer in Mexico - Polymer Bank Notes of the World
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T H E N E W P A R A D I G M I N C U R R E N C YISSUE 6 DECEMBER 2002<strong>Peso</strong> <strong>goes</strong> <strong>polymer</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong>Banco de <strong>Mexico</strong> (BdM) issuedits first <strong>polymer</strong> banknote on30 September 2002. The 20 <strong>Peso</strong>sis similar <strong>in</strong> design to <strong>the</strong> paperbanknote it replaces.The major difference is <strong>the</strong> high securitytransparent w<strong>in</strong>dow, which <strong>in</strong>cludes anemboss <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> number “20”. The complexw<strong>in</strong>dow is an <strong>in</strong>tegral anti-counterfeit feature<strong>of</strong> <strong>polymer</strong> banknotes, and is an effectivedeterrent to scann<strong>in</strong>g and photocopy<strong>in</strong>g.<strong>Mexico</strong> is <strong>the</strong> first North American countryto adopt <strong>the</strong> technology. The decisioncomes after <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> Banco Centraldo Brazil, which successfully issued ahigh-circulation 10 Reais <strong>polymer</strong> banknote<strong>in</strong> 2000.Banco de <strong>Mexico</strong> Governor Guillermo Ortiz (right) and Australian Treasurer Peter Costellohold <strong>the</strong> new 20 <strong>Peso</strong>sThe primary reason for <strong>Mexico</strong>’s switchto <strong>polymer</strong> is <strong>the</strong> note longevity.The 20 <strong>Peso</strong>s paper notes change handsrapidly and deteriorate faster than o<strong>the</strong>rbanknotes, and <strong>the</strong> move to <strong>polymer</strong> willimprove <strong>the</strong> longevity and circulat<strong>in</strong>gcondition <strong>of</strong> banknotes.The new banknotes were pr<strong>in</strong>ted at <strong>the</strong>BdM pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g works, with a smaller <strong>in</strong>itialquantity supplied by Note Pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g Australia.The banknote <strong>in</strong>corporates a host <strong>of</strong>security features <strong>in</strong> addition to <strong>the</strong> complexw<strong>in</strong>dow, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g magnetic securitythread, shadow image and see-throughregistration. The clear <strong>in</strong>taglio on <strong>the</strong> front<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> note also provides <strong>the</strong> tactility <strong>the</strong>The new 20 <strong>Peso</strong>s featur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> portrait <strong>of</strong> Benito Juarezpublic is familiar with.
Quality assurance– an effective counterfeit deterrence techniqueIn this edition <strong>of</strong> IPCA Bullet<strong>in</strong>, President <strong>of</strong> San Diego Magnetics, Dr Tomasz Jagiel<strong>in</strong>ski(pictured), expla<strong>in</strong>s <strong>the</strong> significance <strong>of</strong> quality assurance <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>polymer</strong> substrateand magnetic features.Magnetics technologyhas been used to addhidden <strong>in</strong>formation <strong>in</strong><strong>polymer</strong> banknotes and high value <strong>polymer</strong>documents. Magnetic materials are used <strong>in</strong><strong>the</strong> special <strong>in</strong>ks and threads used <strong>in</strong> <strong>polymer</strong>substrate.In <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> paper notes <strong>the</strong> thread is<strong>in</strong>serted <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> substrate and <strong>the</strong> notebecomes thicker <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> thread(protrusion). Therefore, position <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> thread<strong>in</strong> paper notes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same denom<strong>in</strong>ationhas to vary to avoid a stack<strong>in</strong>g problem.Unlike paper notes, threads <strong>in</strong> <strong>polymer</strong> notescan be placed <strong>in</strong> exactly <strong>the</strong> same position.A magnetic-type thread is encompassed <strong>in</strong>to<strong>polymer</strong> substrate dur<strong>in</strong>g substrateproduction. One can determ<strong>in</strong>e <strong>the</strong>re is nodiscernible thickness difference between <strong>the</strong>thread area and <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> note, simplyby touch<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> note <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> thread.The choice <strong>of</strong> unique, difficult to duplicatematerial, and tight control <strong>of</strong> its properties is<strong>the</strong> first step <strong>in</strong> creat<strong>in</strong>g an effectivemagnetic security feature. The quality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>San Diego Magnetics<strong>in</strong>com<strong>in</strong>g materials is certified. Then <strong>the</strong>position, <strong>in</strong>termittent pattern or shapes areprecisely controlled dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> substrateproduction process.Unlike o<strong>the</strong>r verification systems thatperform post-production quality assurance<strong>of</strong> s<strong>in</strong>gle notes, <strong>the</strong> Securency system –us<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> MicroDAST sensor fromSan Diego Magnetics – detects <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong>magnetics embedded <strong>in</strong> <strong>polymer</strong> substratesprior to pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g currency. This systemprovides 100% <strong>in</strong>-process verification<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> material, result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> less waste,higher efficiency and enhanced security<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> end product.Dur<strong>in</strong>g production <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>polymer</strong>substrate, <strong>the</strong> MicroDAST Sensor ArraySystem detects and measures <strong>the</strong>amount <strong>of</strong> magnetics and <strong>the</strong>ir location<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>polymer</strong> material. This qualitycontrol capability guarantees consistency<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> feature and provides banknotesubstrate that requires no fur<strong>the</strong>r test<strong>in</strong>gto verify magnetics.Device test<strong>in</strong>gDr Jagiel<strong>in</strong>ski has more than25 years <strong>of</strong> experience <strong>in</strong> hightechnology fields <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>gmagnetics, sensors, th<strong>in</strong> filmdevices, data storage, bio-sensors,and currency and documentsecurity. San Diego Magneticsis a lead<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dependentcommercial source for specialtyth<strong>in</strong> film devices and th<strong>in</strong> filmdetector system solutions.Cleanroom photo lab at San Diego Magnetics
Nepal’s currency <strong>goes</strong> to<strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> worldRegal designs blend with lead<strong>in</strong>gedge technology for <strong>the</strong> NepalRastra <strong>Bank</strong> (NRB), with its issue<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 10 Rupee <strong>polymer</strong> banknoteon 30 September 2002.Nepali coronation text encircles <strong>the</strong>“w<strong>in</strong>dow” and His Majesty also appearsas a “shadow image” on <strong>the</strong> right side<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> note. Key security features <strong>in</strong>cludemicropr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g and metallic thread.The note features a portrait <strong>of</strong> K<strong>in</strong>gGyanendra Bir Bikram Shah. The complexclear w<strong>in</strong>dow, a prom<strong>in</strong>ent feature <strong>of</strong><strong>polymer</strong> banknotes, houses a securityvignette <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> crown (head dress).With a circulation <strong>of</strong> 50 million notes,<strong>the</strong> launch was timed to co<strong>in</strong>cide with<strong>the</strong> country’s biggest festivals Dasha<strong>in</strong>and Tihar. The note will replace <strong>the</strong> paper10 Rupee.The new Nepal 10 RupeeRegional Symposiumon currency strategiesJo<strong>in</strong>tly hosted by Banco Centraldo Brasil (BCB), Casa da Moedado Brasil (CMB) and Securency,<strong>the</strong> Regional Symposium onCurrency Strategies was held<strong>in</strong> Rio de Janeiro from 30 Juneto 3 July 2002.The Symposium provided an opportunityfor delegates from central banks and statepr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g works <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lat<strong>in</strong> American regionto meet and exchange <strong>in</strong>formation oncurrency strategies.The Regional Symposium panel (from left) Sergio Detoie (Securency), Alvaro de Oliveira Soares(CMB), Myles Curtis (Securency), Fernando Malburg da Silveira (CMB), John Leckenby (NPA)and (stand<strong>in</strong>g) Jose dos Santos Barbosa (BCB)The event featured a l<strong>in</strong>e-up <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>formativebanknotes, highlighted by facts and figurespresentations as well as constructive<strong>of</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial and operational benefits currentlydiscussions on <strong>polymer</strong> banknoteenjoyed by <strong>polymer</strong> issuers.experiences. Topics encompassed <strong>the</strong>In his presentation, Jose dos Santossecurity and durability <strong>of</strong> Guardian® <strong>polymer</strong> Barbosa, Head <strong>of</strong> Note Issue Department,Banco CentralUNIT25,00020,000Paper15,00010,0005,000<strong>Polymer</strong>0NUMBER OF COUNTERFEITS DETECTED PER MONTHApr-00Jun-00Aug-00Oct-00Dec-00Feb-01Apr-01Jun-01Aug-01Oct-01Dec-01Feb-02Apr-02do Brasil, revealedcomparative figuresbetween <strong>the</strong> paper10 Reais and <strong>polymer</strong>10 Reais, which arecurrently circulat<strong>in</strong>gThe data shows <strong>the</strong> stark contrast <strong>in</strong>counterfeit levels for both banknotes.Brian Lang, Chief Manager – CurrencyDepartment, Reserve <strong>Bank</strong> <strong>of</strong> New Zealandstated, “In calendar year 2001 we discoveredjust 1.2 counterfeits per million notes <strong>in</strong>circulation, compared with 6.05 <strong>in</strong> 2000and 10.67 <strong>in</strong> 1999”.“Also, most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> forgeries detected <strong>in</strong>recent times are <strong>the</strong> former paper notedesign. Attempts to counterfeit <strong>the</strong> <strong>polymer</strong>Source: Banco Central do Brasil (BCB), July 2002simultaneously.design have been negligible,” he added.
<strong>Polymer</strong>.Your questions answeredQ. What are <strong>the</strong> criteria fordesign<strong>in</strong>g a <strong>polymer</strong> banknote?A. The critical consideration when design<strong>in</strong>g<strong>polymer</strong> notes is <strong>the</strong> marriage betweensubstrate design and traditional pr<strong>in</strong>telements. A good design creates a verysecure note, utilis<strong>in</strong>g unique properties<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> substrate and a selection <strong>of</strong>security features.W<strong>in</strong>dow features, with or without <strong>in</strong>ternaldevices such as transitory emboss,vignettes or DOE (Diffractive OpticalElement), yield a secure element whichmakes it extremely difficult to forge.An important consideration with w<strong>in</strong>dowdesign is to create a complex shapearound <strong>the</strong> outer edge, and also tosurround <strong>the</strong> w<strong>in</strong>dow with a complex<strong>of</strong>fset design.Q. What is a complexw<strong>in</strong>dow?A. A complex w<strong>in</strong>dow is a <strong>polymer</strong> securityfeature that comb<strong>in</strong>es <strong>the</strong> "clear w<strong>in</strong>dow"and "shadow image" security features.In fact <strong>the</strong> complex w<strong>in</strong>dow becomesan optically variable feature that has twodist<strong>in</strong>ct phases. In reflected light <strong>the</strong>shadow image is not evident and <strong>the</strong>clear w<strong>in</strong>dow appears as a glossy surface,<strong>the</strong> public will only see <strong>the</strong> contrast <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>clear w<strong>in</strong>dow and <strong>the</strong> background pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>gor substrate.Secondly, <strong>in</strong> transmitted light <strong>the</strong> shadowimage becomes evident.The comb<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> clear w<strong>in</strong>dow andshadow image creates a complex <strong>in</strong>tegration<strong>of</strong> multilayer designs, where <strong>the</strong> clear w<strong>in</strong>dowand shadow image comb<strong>in</strong>e to produce asophisticated multi-tonal security feature.The clear w<strong>in</strong>dow or transparent section <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>banknote is now much harder to counterfeitand easier to identify when a fraudsterattempts to "cut and paste" a piece <strong>of</strong> clearplastic <strong>in</strong>to a photocopied paper simulation<strong>of</strong> a <strong>polymer</strong> banknote.<strong>Mexico</strong> 20 <strong>Peso</strong> complex w<strong>in</strong>dow featur<strong>in</strong>gemboss <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> number "20"International eventsConference Location Date Website2003Pyrabelisk – St. Petersburg, Russia January 23–24 www.security-pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g.comSecurity Pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g Conference<strong>Bank</strong>note 2003 Wash<strong>in</strong>gton DC February 2–5 www.banknote2003.comIntergraf – Montreaux, Switzerland May 13–16 www.<strong>in</strong>tergraf.org19th International Security Pr<strong>in</strong>ters Conference2nd South East Asia Shanghai, Ch<strong>in</strong>a September www.security-pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g.comSecurity Pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g ConferencePacific Rim <strong>Bank</strong>note Pr<strong>in</strong>ters’ Conference Banff, Canada September 7–12IMF (International Monetary Fund) Conference Dubai, UAE September 23–25 www.dubai2003.orgFor more <strong>in</strong>dustry news, <strong>polymer</strong> facts and currencyhot topics, look out for <strong>the</strong> next issue <strong>of</strong> IPCA Bullet<strong>in</strong>.Your questions, comments and feedback arealways welcome, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g any <strong>in</strong>formation on<strong>in</strong>dustry events for <strong>in</strong>clusion <strong>in</strong> to <strong>the</strong> Internationalevents calendar.Back issues <strong>of</strong> IPCA Bullet<strong>in</strong> can be found on<strong>the</strong> IPCA website: www.ipca.au.comEditor Ann FangE-mail ann.fang@ipca.au.com© Copyright 2002 International <strong>Polymer</strong> Currency Association. No part<strong>of</strong> this bullet<strong>in</strong> may be reproduced without prior consent from IPCA.ORIGINATION CRM SEC 011 12/02