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The US Treasury Department recently unveiled the newly designed $5 and
$10 bills which will be issued in mid-2000.
Like the new $20 , $50, and $100 notes, the new $5 and $10 bills will include new security features which make the bills easier to recognize as genuine and more secure against technologies that could be used for counterfeiting the currency. Features of the new five and ten dollar bills include: • Portrait - A larger, more detailed portrait is placed slightly off-center. The size and detail makes it easier to recognize, but harder to duplicate. Placing it off-center provides room for a watermark and reduces wear and tear on the portrait. • Security Thread - A polymer thread embedded vertically in the paper indicates the denomination. The words "USA FIVE" or "USA TEN" and a flag can be seen from both sides of the notes when held up to a bright light. The number "5" or "10" appears in the star field of the flag. This thread glows blue under an ultraviolet light. • Watermark - A watermark of the portrait is visible from both sides when held up to a light. • Color-Shifting Ink - The number in the lower right corner on the front of the $10 bill looks green when viewed straight on, but appears black when viewed at an angle. There is no color-shifting ink on the $5 bill. • Serial Numbers - An additional letter is added to the serial number. The unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note. • Low-Vision Feature - The large number on the back of the bill is easy to read. Also, a machine-readable feature has been incorporated for the blind. It will facilitate development of convenient scanning devices that could identify the note. • Fine Line Printing - Fine lines in the background of the portrait and the picture on the back are difficult to replicate. • Microprinting - Small (micro-printed) words ("United States of America" and "FIVE DOLLARS" or "TEN") which are hard to replicate are printed on the bills. The new $10 and $5 will replace the older notes gradually. The new $100 bill was issued in March 1996, the redesigned $50 bill in October 1997, and the new $20 bill in September 1998. No decision has been made whether to redesign the $1 bill. |