Counterfeit Corner

Most central banks will classify their counterfeit banknotes to determine the types of threats presented by the counterfeiters. This may be as simple as identifying the printing processes on the counterfeit as digital or traditional. Or it could be an in-depth analysis of the individual characteristics of the printed image along with the security feature simulations.

But why is this important?

Examining and classifying counterfeit banknotes helps expose the methods and materials that the counterfeiters are using to produce the fakes.

This data can reveal what type of counterfeiter has created the banknote and possibly the severity of the counterfeiting threat.

For example, 100 counterfeit banknotes are received for the month of November. 60 of those counterfeits are simple inkjet without any security feature simulations. 20 are toner with hand drawn simulations of one or two of the security features and 20 are high-quality offset printed (CMYK) counterfeits with most of the public security features simulated.