Super interesting. The black light effect is definitely a new way to appreciate all of the intrinsicies that go into printing paper currency. Thanks for sharing and providing a new way to appreciate the hobby...
Not a problem. Its a fun aspect of collecting, especially for World currency. Many countries, when designing their currency, consider the black light as one of the security features that is just as important as the basic design.
Amazing what can be done with UV light! One of my favorite things about world banknotes. And funny that Canada and Mexico was using UV tech 50-70 years ago. Thanks for sharing.
That was a really fun one, and I enjoyed sharing it. Yes, other countries were always pretty far ahead of us as far as currency goes, but it was our Military Payment Certificates where we really cut loose on. I only have the 481 and 591 as examples, but they also did react to it, the 481 being similar to the dots on Canada, and the 591, the denomination number would react. I am hoping that our next series of money beginning in 2026 will have more than just the thread react to it.
The dots in the old Canadian bills are called planchets (had to look that up: wanted to say platelets like blood). You can actually pick them out from the paper if you're completely stuck without any other means of counterfeit detection.
Super interesting. The black light effect is definitely a new way to appreciate all of the intrinsicies that go into printing paper currency.
Thanks for sharing and providing a new way to appreciate the hobby...
Not a problem. Its a fun aspect of collecting, especially for World currency. Many countries, when designing their currency, consider the black light as one of the security features that is just as important as the basic design.
Amazing what can be done with UV light! One of my favorite things about world banknotes. And funny that Canada and Mexico was using UV tech 50-70 years ago. Thanks for sharing.
That was a really fun one, and I enjoyed sharing it. Yes, other countries were always pretty far ahead of us as far as currency goes, but it was our Military Payment Certificates where we really cut loose on. I only have the 481 and 591 as examples, but they also did react to it, the 481 being similar to the dots on Canada, and the 591, the denomination number would react. I am hoping that our next series of money beginning in 2026 will have more than just the thread react to it.
The dots in the old Canadian bills are called planchets (had to look that up: wanted to say platelets like blood). You can actually pick them out from the paper if you're completely stuck without any other means of counterfeit detection.
Cool, I guess I'm going to have to buy me a black light.
This one is on the shelf at Walmart for $15. Otherwise, there are far more convenient penlight models just for currency online.