Long, Longer, Longest Yet

In 2019, the Central Bank of the Bahamas issued the $50 banknote in its new CRISP Evolution series, which used Durasafe® substrate from Landqart and included a RAPID® windowed thread from Crane Currency.

Not only was this the first note in the world to integrate the micro-optics feature into the composite substrate. But the window itself (at 33mm) is the longest to appear in a circulating note.

It was this success that inspired Crane and Landqart to partner in creating the Hydro Note – which distinguishes itself from all other banknotes with capabilities once thought impossible. In particular, the Durasafe® ESSENCE substrate allows for the integration of a micro-optic security thread that alters the very definition of ‘windowing’ and blurs the distinction between embedded and applied security.

Notably Crane’s design team used a vertical design to take full advantage of the substrate’s unique ability to integrate a 3mm wide RAPID HD security thread into an 80mm long window for maximum ease of use and security.

The result is a record-setting combination that, says Crane, ‘fuels our imagination and redefines what is possible for banknotes’.