New Look for U.S. Paper Money

[w...@hou5a.uucp]

"After years of research and development of prototypes,
a basic 'new look' for U.S. paper currency has been
approved by Treasury Secretary Donald T. Regan and
will be introduced as soon as the complex machinery of
final design and production can be put into place."

- Nov 1983 Bank Note Reporter,
a paper for currency collectors.

Changes will include:

- COLOR A difficult-to-counterfeit fine
multicolor line would give the impression of
color in what are now white areas.

Possibly, for the first time in history,
the backs would no longer be green!

- OPTICAL DEVICE Under consideration are three different
techniques for rendering notes incapable
of reproduction by color copiers.
The "front runner" is a thin metallic film.
Also considered are diffraction gratings
and holograms.

- SECURITY THREAD A visible magnetic thread would be
woven into the paper.

The use of watermarks, common in European currency,
was rejected.

Plans will be finalized in 1984, and changes could
start as early as 1985.

Unchanged would be the basic size, denominations, and
portraits (although the portraits may be moved from the center)

[Phil Karn]

Oh wow. And you thought the Susan B. Anthony dollar and the two dollar
bill were popular? Just think of all those bill changers that
are going to have to be redesigned to accept both the old and the new
bill types. Also, a smart counterfeiter would just continue to imitate
the old style bills. With the old bills still legal but rare in circulation,
people would probably find it harder compare suspect notes with known
genuine bills.

Phil

[PAD Powell [Admin]]

I giggle hysterically. Up here in Canada we have had this "new look"
for over 103 years. Gee, if your paper currency is moving into the
19th century, when for the love of Mike are you going to move
your measuring standards into the 18th?

Patrick ("Up yours with a meter stick") Powell