Peso goes polymer in Mexico - Polymer Bank Notes of the World

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 2002Peso goes polymer in MexicoBanco de Mexico (BdM) issuedits first polymer banknote on30 September 2002. The 20 Pesosis similar in design to the paperbanknote it replaces.The major difference is the high securitytransparent window, which includes anemboss of the number “20”. The complexwindow is an integral anti-counterfeit featureof polymer banknotes, and is an effectivedeterrent to scanning and photocopying.Mexico is the first North American countryto adopt the technology. The decisioncomes after the success of Banco Centraldo Brazil, which successfully issued ahigh-circulation 10 Reais polymer banknotein 2000.Banco de Mexico Governor Guillermo Ortiz (right) and Australian Treasurer Peter Costellohold the new 20 PesosThe primary reason for Mexico’s switchto polymer is the note longevity.The 20 Pesos paper notes change handsrapidly and deteriorate faster than otherbanknotes, and the move to polymer willimprove the longevity and circulatingcondition of banknotes.The new banknotes were printed at theBdM printing works, with a smaller initialquantity supplied by Note Printing Australia.The banknote incorporates a host ofsecurity features in addition to the complexwindow, including magnetic securitythread, shadow image and see-throughregistration. The clear intaglio on the frontof the note also provides the tactility theThe new 20 Pesos featuring the portrait of Benito Juarezpublic is familiar with.

Quality assurance– an effective counterfeit deterrence techniqueIn this edition of IPCA Bulletin, President of San Diego Magnetics, Dr Tomasz Jagielinski(pictured), explains the significance of quality assurance in the making of polymer substrateand magnetic features.Magnetics technologyhas been used to addhidden information inpolymer banknotes and high value polymerdocuments. Magnetic materials are used inthe special inks and threads used in polymersubstrate.In the case of paper notes the thread isinserted into the substrate and the notebecomes thicker in the area of the thread(protrusion). Therefore, position of the threadin paper notes of the same denominationhas to vary to avoid a stacking problem.Unlike paper notes, threads in polymer notescan be placed in exactly the same position.A magnetic-type thread is encompassed intopolymer substrate during substrateproduction. One can determine there is nodiscernible thickness difference between thethread area and the rest of the note, simplyby touching the note in the area of thread.The choice of unique, difficult to duplicatematerial, and tight control of its properties isthe first step in creating an effectivemagnetic security feature. The quality of theSan Diego Magneticsincoming materials is certified. Then theposition, intermittent pattern or shapes areprecisely controlled during the substrateproduction process.Unlike other verification systems thatperform post-production quality assuranceof single notes, the Securency system –using the MicroDAST sensor fromSan Diego Magnetics – detects the level ofmagnetics embedded in polymer substratesprior to printing currency. This systemprovides 100% in-process verificationof the material, resulting in less waste,higher efficiency and enhanced securityin the end product.During production of the polymersubstrate, the MicroDAST Sensor ArraySystem detects and measures theamount of magnetics and their locationin the polymer material. This qualitycontrol capability guarantees consistencyin the feature and provides banknotesubstrate that requires no further testingto verify magnetics.Device testingDr Jagielinski has more than25 years of experience in hightechnology fields includingmagnetics, sensors, thin filmdevices, data storage, bio-sensors,and currency and documentsecurity. San Diego Magneticsis a leading independentcommercial source for specialtythin film devices and thin filmdetector system solutions.Cleanroom photo lab at San Diego Magnetics

Nepal’s currency goes tothe top of the worldRegal designs blend with leadingedge technology for the NepalRastra Bank (NRB), with its issueof the 10 Rupee polymer banknoteon 30 September 2002.Nepali coronation text encircles the“window” and His Majesty also appearsas a “shadow image” on the right sideof the note. Key security features includemicroprinting and metallic thread.The note features a portrait of KingGyanendra Bir Bikram Shah. The complexclear window, a prominent feature ofpolymer banknotes, houses a securityvignette of the crown (head dress).With a circulation of 50 million notes,the launch was timed to coincide withthe country’s biggest festivals Dashainand Tihar. The note will replace the paper10 Rupee.The new Nepal 10 RupeeRegional Symposiumon currency strategiesJointly hosted by Banco Centraldo Brasil (BCB), Casa da Moedado Brasil (CMB) and Securency,the Regional Symposium onCurrency Strategies was heldin Rio de Janeiro from 30 Juneto 3 July 2002.The Symposium provided an opportunityfor delegates from central banks and stateprinting works in the Latin American regionto meet and exchange information 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 (standing) Jose dos Santos Barbosa (BCB)The event featured a line-up of informativebanknotes, highlighted by facts and figurespresentations as well as constructiveof financial and operational benefits currentlydiscussions on polymer banknoteenjoyed by polymer issuers.experiences. Topics encompassed theIn his presentation, Jose dos Santossecurity and durability of Guardian® polymer Barbosa, Head of Note Issue Department,Banco CentralUNIT25,00020,000Paper15,00010,0005,000Polymer0NUMBER OF COUNTERFEITS DETECTED PER MONTHApr-00Jun-00Aug-00Oct-00Dec-00Feb-01Apr-01Jun-01Aug-01Oct-01Dec-01Feb-02Apr-02do Brasil, revealedcomparative figuresbetween the paper10 Reais and polymer10 Reais, which arecurrently circulatingThe data shows the stark contrast incounterfeit levels for both banknotes.Brian Lang, Chief Manager – CurrencyDepartment, Reserve Bank of New Zealandstated, “In calendar year 2001 we discoveredjust 1.2 counterfeits per million notes incirculation, compared with 6.05 in 2000and 10.67 in 1999”.“Also, most of the forgeries detected inrecent times are the former paper notedesign. Attempts to counterfeit the polymerSource: Banco Central do Brasil (BCB), July 2002simultaneously.design have been negligible,” he added.

Polymer.Your questions answeredQ. What are the criteria fordesigning a polymer banknote?A. The critical consideration when designingpolymer notes is the marriage betweensubstrate design and traditional printelements. A good design creates a verysecure note, utilising unique propertiesof the substrate and a selection ofsecurity features.Window features, with or without internaldevices such as transitory emboss,vignettes or DOE (Diffractive OpticalElement), yield a secure element whichmakes it extremely difficult to forge.An important consideration with windowdesign is to create a complex shapearound the outer edge, and also tosurround the window with a complexoffset design.Q. What is a complexwindow?A. A complex window is a polymer securityfeature that combines the "clear window"and "shadow image" security features.In fact the complex window becomesan optically variable feature that has twodistinct phases. In reflected light theshadow image is not evident and theclear window appears as a glossy surface,the public will only see the contrast of theclear window and the background printingor substrate.Secondly, in transmitted light the shadowimage becomes evident.The combination of the clear window andshadow image creates a complex integrationof multilayer designs, where the clear windowand shadow image combine to produce asophisticated multi-tonal security feature.The clear window or transparent section of thebanknote is now much harder to counterfeitand easier to identify when a fraudsterattempts to "cut and paste" a piece of clearplastic into a photocopied paper simulationof a polymer banknote.Mexico 20 Peso complex window featuringemboss of the number "20"International eventsConference Location Date Website2003Pyrabelisk – St. Petersburg, Russia January 23–24 www.security-printing.comSecurity Printing ConferenceBanknote 2003 Washington DC February 2–5 www.banknote2003.comIntergraf – Montreaux, Switzerland May 13–16 www.intergraf.org19th International Security Printers Conference2nd South East Asia Shanghai, China September www.security-printing.comSecurity Printing ConferencePacific Rim Banknote Printers’ Conference Banff, Canada September 7–12IMF (International Monetary Fund) Conference Dubai, UAE September 23–25 www.dubai2003.orgFor more industry news, polymer facts and currencyhot topics, look out for the next issue of IPCA Bulletin.Your questions, comments and feedback arealways welcome, including any information onindustry events for inclusion in to the Internationalevents calendar.Back issues of IPCA Bulletin can be found onthe IPCA website: www.ipca.au.comEditor Ann FangE-mail ann.fang@ipca.au.com© Copyright 2002 International Polymer Currency Association. No partof this bulletin may be reproduced without prior consent from IPCA.ORIGINATION CRM SEC 011 12/02