How to Detect Counterfeit Money: 8 Ways to Tell If a Bill Is Fake
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The Bureau of Engraving and Printing designs and produces Federal Reserve Notes to include a number of security features. Counterfeiters can sometimes duplicate one or two of these unique characteristics but rarely all of them. By looking for specific security features on a bill—like the watermark, color-shifting ink, and microprinting—it’s possible to spot a fake quickly.
Most of the examples below are of a $20 bill because it is the most counterfeited denomination of US currency stateside. However, some security features vary by denomination. Likewise, security features have improved over time as currency is redesigned, so old bills may be more difficult to evaluate than others. We discuss some of the most recent designs and security features below.
1. Watermark
Almost as easy to find as the portrait itself is the watermark that’s incorporated into denominations of $5 and up. When evaluating the most recent $5 bill design, hold the note up to light to see three numeral 5s to the left of the portrait; in the previous design, the watermark depicts Lincoln’s portrait.
When confirming the authenticity of a watermark, make sure it is:
Only visible when you hold it up to the light Located to the left of the portrait on $5 billsLocated to the right of the portrait on $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills
An exact replica of the portrait on the bill in the case of $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes
2. Color-Shifting Ink
Another quick way to distinguish between a fake and authentic bill is to look for color-shifting ink on the denomination in the lower right corner of a $10, $20, $50, or $100 bill. For $100 bills, the bell in the inkwell (located to the left of the denomination) is also printed with color-shifting ink.
When looking at the most recent design of a genuine bill, the denomination and bell will be a copper color; tilt the bill, and the color will change from copper to green. This unique color-shifting ink was also used on some older versions of these bills, though the color shifts from green to black on older designs.
3. Security Thread
The security thread is one of the most distinctive security indicators of an authentic bill. If you hold a genuine bill with a denomination of $5 or more up to the light, you will see a security thread running vertically across the bill to the right or left of the portrait.
On $5, $10, and $50 bills, the thread is located to the right of the portrait; on $20 and $100 bills it is located to the left of the portrait. The threads are imprinted with “USA” and the denomination alternating across the bill, although the exact format of this text varies by denomination—as detailed in the table below.
4. Security Ribbon
Unlike other notes, the most recent $100 note design has a 3-D security ribbon woven into the paper to the right of Benjamin Franklin’s portrait. By moving the bill, you can see images of bells and 100s shift as you move. Tilting the note back and forth makes the bells and 100s move side to side; tilting the bill side to side causes them to move up and down. This 3-D security ribbon reportedly cannot be duplicated by counterfeiters, making it an easy way to confirm the authenticity of a $100 bill.
6. Microprinting
Beyond just crisp, high-quality printing, genuine US currency of $5 denominations and greater is characterized by microprinting. This super-fine text is difficult for counterfeiters to reproduce with their less advanced equipment. For that reason, counterfeited bills may exhibit unreadable microprinting when viewed under magnification.
7. Paper Material and Texture
The paper used by the Federal Reserve for US currency is made up of 25% linen and 75% cotton; it has been supplied to the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing by Crane and Co. since 1879. In addition to their composition, authentic bills feature small red and blue security fibers evenly distributed throughout the material of the bill.
Counterfeiters attempt to reproduce this effect by printing red and blue threads onto fake bills in a similar pattern. But, a close look often reveals that the “fibers” are merely on the surface level—and indicates you have a counterfeit on your hands. All Federal Reserve notes are printed on paper with embedded security fibers.
8. Serial Number and Series Year
A final check when evaluating the authenticity of a bill is to compare the serial number and the series year printed on the front of the note. The serial number, which includes a unique combination of 11 numbers and letters, appears twice on the front of each note—on the right side and in the upper left corner. On an authentic bill, the first letter of the serial number corresponds to the series year printed to the right of the portrait.
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