CHAPTER VIII

DETECTION OF COUNTERFEIT
CURRENCY BILLS HOW TO DETECT
COUNTERFEIT BANK NOTES AND COINS
OBJECTIVES:
IN THE END OF THIS CHAPTER THE STUDENT SHOULD BE:

 Familiar the genuine bank notes and coins

 Determine the counterfeit currency bills

STUDY THE WORKMANSHIP OR ARCH
DENOMINATION OF KNOWN GENUINE
CENTRAL
BANK NOTES AND COINS. TAKE NOTE OF
AND FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE
VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
FOLLOWING FEATURES:
I. DISTINCTIVE FEEL

Genuine
 The fingers will readily feel

 The main prints on the front and back on fairy new notes. This is due to the
measurable thickness of the ink deposited on the paper which gives the prints
and embossed effect.

Counterfeit
 Generally smooth. The finger will hardly feel the main prints of the
embossed effect. This is brought about by other printing, the most common
process employed by counterfeiters.

 Photo counterfeits (reproduced by straight photographic copying) generally

feel "slimy. The "prints are mere stains on the coating of sintered paper, which
is glossy
II. PORTRAIT

Genuine

 Appears “life-like”. The eyes sparkle. The tiny dots and lines forming the

details of the face, hair, etc., are clear.

 Sharp and well-defined. Each portrait stand-out distinctively from the
background. This is very noticeable along the shoulders.
 The background is composed of multi: colored fine pattern of lines in
varying tone and shade interlacing with each other. These shadings or
toning are intricately printed such as way that the contrast or shifting of
colors creates the impression of life and vividness to the notes.
Counterfeit
 Appears “dead” .The face and/or forehead are often unnaturally white
or pale due to absence of most of the details.
 It appears blurred, dull a muddy and poorly printed The eyes often do
not sparkle. The concentric lines depicting the eyes often managed into
solid printed areas.
 The hair is lifeless. The background often blends with the portrait and
s usually ‘scratchy”. The lines are thick with rough edges, broken and
fused. The multi-colored prints of genuine notes are extremely difficult
to duplicate and as a result, counterfeit notes are usually off-color and
not of the right shade or tone.
III. WATERMARKS
Genuine

 The water underneath the security lacework on the right hand side of the note is
the same as the colored portrait. This design is placed by means of a dandy roll
during the manufacture of the paper.
 Consequently, sharp details of the outline or the “light and shadow effect’ are
discernible when viewed with the aid of a transmitted light. The relief of the
features can be felt by running the fingers I on the design
Counterfeit
 This is imitated printing white ink or dry. Block on the finished paper Sometimes
wax or t other oily medium is stamped to give transparency to the portion where the
design appears.
 Or a printed outline is placed on inner sheet where two sheets are used, of merely
a paper cutout is placed inside. As a result coarse or harsh and occasional irregular
lines and sometimes opaque areas are very obvious.
IV. METALLIC THREAD

Genuine
 This is special thread placed vertically on the paper during
manufacture. On the surface of the paper where this thread is
located are vertical lines pattern of short vertical lines.
Counterfeit
 Faked by means of printing on the back of the note, on the inner
side of the paper, insertion of twine thread or by simply folding the
note vertically where the thread appears on the genuine bill.
V. COLOR FIBERS
Genuine
 These fibers are scattered at the random on both surfaces and can be
readily picked off by means of any pointed instrument.
Counterfeit
 Simulated by printed lines, cannot be picked off, but can be easy
erased with ordinary rubber or by agitating with what fingers.
VI. LACEWORK DESIGN

Genuine
 The geometric pattern which looks like a delicate lacework along the
border on both surfaces, embellishing the portrait. value panel and vignette
and under the legend ANG BAGONG LIPUNAN, are multi-colored and
composed of sharp lines which are continuous and traceable at the joints.
Counterfeit
 This geometric pattern are often blurred rough on the edges and blotched
on the joints Its continuity could not be traced. The colored appears faded.
VII. COLOR OF EACH DOMINATION
Genuine
 Genuine notes have polychrome background with one predominant
color for each denomination.
Counterfeit
 Generally there is an irregular sputtering of white spot caused by non-
registry or breaks of the background tint. Most often counterfeits of this
type of notes lacks the vividness of the color inherent in genuine bills
VIII. SERIAL NUMBER

Genuine
 The prefix letters and numbers six of them except on replacement a peculiar
style and are uniform in size and thickness.
 Spacing of the numbers is uniform and alignment is even.
Counterfeit
 The letters and numbers are poorly printed. They are usually of different
style. Most often they are not evenly spaced and are poorly aligned, either too
big or too small too thick or too thin, and in certain cases shaded on the curves.
IX. VIGNETTE
Genuine
 The lines and dots composing the vignette are fine, distinct and sharp,
the varying color tone gives a "Bold Look to the picture that makes it
stand out of the paper.
Counterfeit
 Usually dull and poorly printed. It appears dirty The lines are
comparatively thicker with rough edges. There is no variation in color
tone so that the picture appears flat.
X. CLEANESS OF POINT

Genuine
 The registry of the different printed features ids perfect. The lines
are very clean and sharp. There are no "burns clinging to the sides.
Counterfeit
 In general, a spurious note exhibits a second hand look, It is dirty
due to the sputtering of ink on the interior area.
 Over inked areas are visible instantly. The shadings and figures
are thick and usually merged.
XI. COINS
Genuine
 Genuine coins show an even flow of metallic grains. The details of the
profile, the seal of the Republic of the Philippines, lettering and numerals are
of high relief that it can readily felt distinctly by running the fingers on these
features.
 The beadings are regular and the readings are deep and even.
Counterfeit
 Most counterfeit coins feel greasy and appear slimy. The beading composed
of tiny round dots surrounding the genuine coin appear irregular and elongated
depression and are not sharp and prominent as in genuine.
 The letterings and numerals are low and worn out due to lack of sharpness
of details, The readings are uneven and show signs of filing
Note:
Make it a habit to FEEL and LOOK at all currency being received
so that the fingers and the eyes will become familiar with all the
foregoing features of genuine Central Bank notes and coins.
Compares with a known genuine currency of the same
denomination when a note or coin is suspicious. Always remit all
questionable currency to the Cash Department, Central Bank of the
Philippines, for verification.
THANK YOU
AND GODBLESS
