SECURITY ELEMENTS IN THE DESIGN (so as to avoid photocopying of banknotes)

Several design aspects can be incorporated in the bank notes, which cannot be easily copied.  A number of options are available to the Designers.  Now Computer Graphics are capable to produce a variety of complex designs, which are difficult to be produced mechanically.  The designs can be further secured by using Intaglio in combination with offset and screen-printing. There are a number of elements, which can be introduced into the design without incurring any extra cost. These design elements are found to be very effective against colour copying. The special design background or intaglio print can introduce a variety of security features.

 

Computer Graphics: The graphics with 0.08 mm line width with a separation of 0.3 mm as ruling distance will be difficult to be reproduced exactly in analog type of colour copying. In digital computers, 0.06 mm line width will be difficult for reproduction. The colour copiers have a preferential angle or direction. The computer graphics generate intricate designs with the combination of different colours and variations in the line thickness most effectively. They use a laser plotter. Changing the parameters incrementally creates the guilloche patterns. They describe a simple harmonic wave function, which have been imposed on a number of circles with increasing radii. To make the guilloche patterns much more difficult and complicate, one image can be melded with other. They can be interrupted at any point or isolated. With this technique, a star shape can be melded to a circular wave pattern or a circular wave to a larger polygon. This technique is called as "Melding". The fineness achieved by computer graphics is difficult to be reproduced by colour copiers.

 

Multi-directional lines: The watermark area when carries fine multi-directional lines, becomes difficult to be reproduced as the lines cannot appear perfectly in the copies. The colour copiers have a preferential angle or direction. Lines, which are perpendicular to the movement, will be easily distinguished while lines, which are slanted at an angle different from 90 degrees, will produce a deformation.

 

See-through register: The simultaneous printing of front and back of  a bank note offset design in a single pass has been recognized as a security feature, since, all the colour copiers are not provided with front and back reproduction simultaneously.

 

Micro lettering: The note designs are filled with micro lettering normally near the portrait area. They are seen as a part of the design with the naked eye but when viewed under a magnifying glass, the micro lettering can be seen clearly. The copies cannot bring the clarity in this area and have a moiré effect. Micro letters are thought of as one of the preventive measures so as not to reproduce micro letters of height fewer than 400 microns with colour copiers.

 

Bleed off: The notes, which have a bleed off - that is an extension of the design to the edges of the note without leaving margin, will be difficult to be reproduced in the Copiers as they leave white border. The notes need further operation of trimming, which may not be accurate.

 

Intaglio: Intaglio printing provides durability to the notes with a three-dimensional effect. The machines, which give the raised effect on the designs, are unique and are not available easily to the commercial printers. The three-dimensional raised effect is not possible to get in the colour copying.

Intaglio process is chosen for bank notes because it has peerless quality of resolution, tonality and pictorial strength. Its tactility is fully exploited when brought together with the visible and invisible chromatic abilities. Intaglio inks with unique print characteristics are developed. There are intaglio ink pairs with characteristics of transparency and absorption in the infrared. Magnetic substances can also be included in intaglio and letterpress inks. However, they produce relatively strong body colours limiting the colour space to the designers as they contain iron oxide. Now soft magnetic pigments are used in intaglio inks to overcome this difficulty. Intaglio process can also seal a foil a full-face intaglio over print.

 

Blind Intaglio: Some countries have started blind intaglio embossing without inking on the bank notes. This blind intaglio on the offset backgrounds carries the same effect as intaglio printing. This is called as PEAK technology. This printing is done with several combinations and sequence with offset, intaglio and screen-printing. PEAK (Printed and Embossed Anticopy Key) - Consists of a background of printed lines overlaid with a blind – embossed structure produced by the intaglio process. This results in latent image.

 

Latent image:  The system of latent image was developed to defeat the purpose of photo colour copiers. The image is not visible in the normal course but when the note is tilted at an angle, the image becomes visible.

The latent image can be incorporated only in the Intaglio design and is considered as a satisfactory security feature. M/s. Bradbury Wilkinson was the pioneer in latent image technology.

There are two opinions about retention of the latent image. M/s. Giori feels that the latent image will not be visible when the notes get soiled and hence does not provide any security feature in the long run, whereas the majority of others feel that the latent image can be seen even after the notes soiled. The latent image is obtained in Intaglio printing. The design variations in the depth of intaglio engravings on different plates reflect a latent image on printing, which can be seen only at an angle. This provides a durable image, which changes with angle. It fully integrates with the conventional bank note printing. Average particle size of colour tones is approximately 10 microns. The digitizer analyses a discrete number of dots per unit of scanned surface. When the digitizer finds two dots or lines separated less than resolution, it produces one dot or line instead of two. An adequately arranged design with rough and fine ruling having 10-15 % of dot area will act as an effective latent image.

 

OMRON: Arrival of colour copiers into the market, threatened the bank note printing industry. The industry and the Interpol together requested the manufacturers of colour copiers to find out ways and means by which the colour copier identifies the bank note duplication and rejects or voids it or leaves a mark on the duplicated notes.

A software company – OMRON from Japan have come out with a solution. Accordingly, the bank notes carry a common mark in offset design that enables an optional recognition of security documents by colour copiers. The mark area consists of a common mark, non-mark design element and background. The mark area has certain specifications to ensure the correct recognition of common mark by the Common Mark Recognition system. The common mark has a circle outlining. The design and size of the common mark shall be as per the master film provided by the SSG-2. These common marks have specific size, thickness number (quantity) and placement in the mark area, besides their colour density. The colour copiers are incorporated with a mechanism to recognise these features and classify them as security documents.

 

 

Evolution of Paper Money in Post Independent India (1951 to 1987)

The effigy of George VI in the notes just prior to independence was replaced by the emblem of the Nation - the Ashokan lion pillar - capital of Sarnath.

1951: New notes were issued in with a completely new design for 100 Rupees, showing elephants. The first issue contained denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 100 Rupees. Later on, in 1953, it was realized that the national language Hindi was not accorded a proper place on the new notes. Consequently, notes with denominations written prominently in Hindi were issued. The Hindi so introduced was grammatically incorrect, and the mistake was corrected in the next two years.

1956: high denomination notes of 1000, 5000 and 10000 Rupees were issued. The 1000 Rupee note had the picture of Rajarajeshwara Temple at Tanjore, while the Gateway of India at Bombay featured on the 5000 Rupee note.

1964: new notes of a smaller size were issued. The size of high denominational notes, however, was not changed. These notes had the following depiction:

2 Rupees Royal Bengal Tiger
5 Rupees Indian Blackbuck
10 Rupees A sailing boat (dhow)
100 Rupees Hirakund Dam on river Mahanadi

1969: the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was celebrated. New notes of a commemorative design showing Gandhi reading a prayer book on back were issued.

1972: notes of a new denomination of 20 Rupees were introduced. Similarly in 1974, notes of 50 Rupees denomination were issued.

1977: the high denominational notes were demonetized.

During the 1980s: an entirely new series for all denominations was issued. The new designs show various panels such as:

1 Rupee Off-shore oil platform at Bombay
2 Rupees Indian Satellite "Aryabhatta"
5 Rupees Tractor tilling the fields
10 Rupees Panel showing peacock, the Indian National Bird
20 Rupees Sculpture of wheel at Konark Sun Temple
50 Rupees The Indian Parliament House, New Delhi
100 Rupees Agrarian scene

1987: notes of 500 Rupee denominations were issued for the first time, after nearly 75 years. These notes show the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on the face, with the sculpture "Gandhi leads the nation" on the back. The same effigy in obverse was utilized once more in 1996, when new notes of 10, 50 and 100 Rupees were issued. These notes bear the representations of animals,
Parliament House and Himalayas on the reverse, respectively. Mention must also be made of a different design of 10 Rupees employed during 1988-1995, which bears the Shalimar Gardens in Srinagar, Kashmir.

SECURITY FEATURES OF INDIAN BANKNOTES

Watermark: The Mahatma Gandhi Series of banknotes contain the Mahatma Gandhi watermark with a light and shade effect and multi-directional lines in the watermark window.


Security thread: Rs.1000 notes introduced in October 2000 contain a readable, windowed security thread alternately visible on the obverse with the inscriptions ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), ‘1000’ and ‘RBI’, but totally embedded on the reverse. The Rs.500 and Rs.100 notes have a security thread with similar visible features and inscription ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), and ‘RBI’. When held against the light, the security thread on Rs.1000, Rs.500 and Rs.100 can be seen as one continuous line. The Rs.5, Rs.10, Rs.20 and Rs.50 notes contain a readable, fully embedded windowed security thread with the inscription ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), and ‘RBI’. The security thread appears to the left of the Mahatma's portrait. Notes issued prior to the introduction of the Mahatma Gandhi Series have a plain, non-readable fully embedded security thread.

Latent Image: On the obverse side of Rs.1000, Rs.500, Rs.100, Rs.50 and Rs.20 notes, a vertical band on the right side of the Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait contains a latent image showing the respective denominational value in numeral. The latent image is visible only when the note is held horizontally at eye level.

Microlettering: This feature appears between the vertical band and Mahatma Gandhi portrait. It contains the word ‘RBI’ in Rs.5 and Rs.10. The notes of Rs.20 and above also contain the denominational value of the notes in microletters. This feature can be seen better under a magnifying glass.


Intaglio Printing: The portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Reserve Bank seal, guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar Emblem on the left, RBI Governor's signature are printed in intaglio i.e. in raised prints, which can be felt by touch, in Rs.20, Rs.50, Rs.100, Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes.

Identification mark: A special feature in intaglio has been introduced on the left of the watermark window on all notes except Rs.10/- note. This feature is in different shapes for various denominations (Rs. 20-Vertical Rectangle, Rs.50-Square, Rs.100-Triangle, Rs.500-Circle, Rs.1000-Diamond) and helps the visually impaired to identify the denomination.

Fluorescence: Number panels of the notes are printed in fluorescent ink. The notes also have optical fibres. Both can be seen when the notes are exposed to ultra-violet lamp as shown below.

Optically Variable Ink: This is a new security feature incorporated in the Rs.1000 and Rs.500 notes with revised colour scheme introduced in November 2000. The numeral 1000 and 500 on the obverse of Rs.1000 and Rs.500 notes respectively is printed in optically variable ink viz., a colour-shifting ink. The colour of the numeral 1000/500 appears green when the note is held flat but would change to blue when the note is held at an angle.


See through Register: The small floral design printed both on the front (hollow) and back (filled up) of the note in the middle of the vertical band next to the Watermark has an accurate back to back registration. The design will appear as one floral design when seen against the light.

WHAT’S AT THE BACK

Have you ever noticed the reverse side of banknote???
Here is the description of central theme of the reverse side of banknote (Mahatma Gandhi series)

10/- The central theme consists of intricate guilloche and floral patterns with profiles of an elephant, rhinoceros and tiger’s face.

50/- The central theme depicts a panoramic view of India’s Parliament House with floral and filigree pattern.

100/- The central theme depicts a panoramic view of the Kanchanjunga with floral and filigree pattern.

500/- The central theme depicts Mahatma Gandhi leading a group of persons with floral and filigree pattern.

BANK NOTE SIZE

Deno. ------------Note size (mm)
10/- --------------137 X 63
20/- --------------147 X 63
50/- --------------147 X 73
100/- -------------157 X 73
500/- -------------167 X 73
1000/- ------------177 X 73

BANK NOTES OF OLDEN DAYS

CURRENCY PRINTING IN INDIA

The first notes were printed at Bank of England in 1861 and issued in India in March 1862. Due to growing demands, another unit was added in July 1961. There was a contract with the Bank of England, which was entered into in 1867 for supply of notes to India. It continued up to the end of June 1928 in respect of lower denomination up to Rs. 100/- and up to the end of December 1930 for higher denomination. The first notes issued by the Government of India carried improved designs with numbering at 2 or 3 or 4 places. Guilloches and the artistic designs were introduced. They were like Bearer Bonds. Since then, the issue of notes became the monopoly function of Government of India. The authority to issue these notes was entrusted to the three Presidency Banks, which were chartered by the Government of India. The standing agreement for the supply of notes with the Bank of England in 1867 continued for nearly 60 years till we established our own Currency Printing Press at Nashik Road. The Currency Note Press was commissioned on 14th April 1928. New unit was added in July 1961. Paper was imported from M/s. Portals Ltd, England till 1967-68. Security Paper Mill was commissioned at Hoshangabad in 1967.

The decision to establish another Bank Note Press at Dewas in Madhya Pradesh was taken in 1969. A contract was entered with M/s. Koenig and Bauer, West Germany for supply of equipment. The Press went into production in 1974. Notes of 10/-, 20/-, 50/- and 100/- were printed by dry offset as well as Intaglio. The Press entered into an agreement with SICPA, Switzerland for manufacture of inks. For the first time, intaglio designs were introduced in Indian Bank Notes.

To meet the demands of growing economy, Government of India initiated two more projects at Mysore and Salboni. The projects have been transferred to the Reserve Bank of India in December 1989. First phase at Mysore was commissioned on 01.06.96 and that of Salboni went into production on December 11th 1996. The second phase at Mysore with 7 production lines went into operation with effect from June 1st 1999. Second phase operation at Salboni with 8 production lines went into production on 11th February 2000. The projects are one of the biggest in the world. Mysore plant was constructed with an out lay of Rupees 880 crores. The first phase operations in Mini Press were transferred to the Main Press Complex. The Presses have the most sophisticated and state of the art machinery. M/s De La Rue Giori of Switzerland supplied the machinery for the Mysore Plant. Komori Currency Corporation supplied the machinery to the Salboni Plant. The activities are mechanical mostly. Computerisation is given priority. The work methods are completely revamped from those present in the existing organisations.