FED: US govt combats $US100 note counterfeiting with new design

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2010
FED: US govt combats $US100 note counterfeiting with new design

SYDNEY, April 23 AAP - The United States is revamping its popular $US100 note, the
mostly widely circulated US currency in Australia and other countries - because it's a
key target for counterfeiters.

After 10 years' research, the US Federal Reserve, Treasury and Secret Service this
week unveiled a new design and security imprints for the new note to be launched on February
10, 2011.

About 6.5 billion $US100 notes are currently in circulation, and although very little
US currency is counterfeited, the $US100 note is the most frequently faked.

"The $US100 note is the highest-value denomination that we issue and it circulates
broadly around the world," the Fed's assistant director for cash, Michael Lambert, said
in a statement.

The new note will carry a number of security features, including a 3D Security Ribbon
and a `Bell in the Inkwell' design that changes colour when the note is tilted.

The US government is now conducting a global public education program to raise awareness
about the new note.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the note's features can visit the website
www.newmoney.gov.

AAP klm/jl

KEYWORD: NOTE

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