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Secrets of Making Money
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Program Overview
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NOVA explains the reasons for the redesign of U.S. paper currency and describes security
features that are embedded in the new $100 bill.
The program:
points out that bills with the original design are easy to counterfeit, having been around since 1929 and in circulation worldwide.
broadly describes the traditional mode of counterfeiting—from creating a negative to printing the bill.
indicates that the Treasury Department is concerned both with casual counterfeiters—who use color copiers and other modern reprographic equipment—and with professional counterfeiters.
states that while no single feature will make a bill counterfeit-proof, the Treasury Department hopes that by adding several new features the bill will be more difficult to counterfeit.
reviews the new features, which include a security thread with numbers on it denoting a bill's value, a watermark, an enlarged portrait, microprinting and color-shifting ink.
outlines the Treasury Department's endurance tests for bills, including simulating exposure to sun, gasoline, washing, drying and crumpling.
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