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Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!decvax!harpo!eagle!hou5h!hou5a!wkh
From: wkh@hou5a.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.misc,net.rec.coins
Subject: New Look for U.S. Paper Money
Message-ID: <426@hou5a.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 7-Nov-83 09:12:52 EST
Article-I.D.: hou5a.426
Posted: Mon Nov  7 09:12:52 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 8-Nov-83 22:29:55 EST
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Holmdel, NJ
Lines: 36

"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)