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We got a new $5 bill
More interesting money coming our way ... Still find it cool the things they add to our currency to prevent conterfeiters.
New $5 aimed at counterfeiters
Nov. 15, 2006. 01:08 PM
TRACEY TYLER
STAFF REPORTER
The Bank of Canada is aiming for fewer fake fivers.
A new $5 bill went into circulation today with improved security features, including a new ghost-like image of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada’s seventh prime minister, and a metal holographic stripe.
The changes have been made because counterfeiters are starting to target currency in lower denominations, said Monica Lamoureaux, a bank spokesperson.
“It’s a preventative measure,” she said. “We wanted to stay ahead of the counterfeiting curve.”
The most counterfeited notes are still $10 and $20 bills, which account for 80 per cent of fake Canadian currency in circulation.
Two years ago, the bank added enhanced security features to the $20, $50 and $100 bills.
Last year, it was the $10 bill’s turn.
The new $5 bill introduced today features:
A shiny, metallic, holographic stripe on the left side, near Sir Wilfrid’s ear. The stripe has maple leaves that move when the bill is turned.
A second, smaller, watermark of Laurier near the centre.
“Colour-shifting” thread, resembling a series of metallic dashes, which shift from gold to green when the note is shifted.
A “see-through” number. When the bill is held to light, irregular numbers on the front and back come together like a jigsaw puzzle to form a perfectly aligned number 5.
Lamoureaux said there were about 400,000 counterfeit Canadian bills in circulation in 2005, which had a total value of $9.4 million.
The face value of authentic Canadian money in circulation is $44 billion, she said. The counterfeits account for 0.02 per cent of the legitimate bills in use.
Source : The Star
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