Banco de México’s New House Note Puts MOTION SURFACE® to the Test

During Public First 2019, the Banco de México’s General Director of Currency Issuance and Main Cashier, Alejandro Alegre, addressed dozens of central banks on the work behind the design and security features used in its newest banknotes. This secured a banknote series using on its lowest denominations polymer substrate, and on the middle and high denominations durable-type and normal 100% cotton watermarked papers. General Director Alegre also described the Bank’s latest innovation, the new Jalisco Printing Works commissioned in 2018 – a model of efficiency and security and a driving force behind future series of Mexican banknotes.

Banco de México returned to Public First this year to share with attendees its preparations for addressing counterfeit threats and for eventual future series. Reminding that designing, manufacturing and issuing a new banknote takes at least 18 months, Process Development and Reengineering Manager, Linda Rodriguez described how against the threat of sophisticated, ‘industrial counterfeiting’ experienced in the past, the Banco de México was not standing still, but proactive in the updating of banknotes, fundamental to this the identification of robust security features.

Linda Rodriguez described how for the development of the newest Mexican banknote series (know as “G”) Banco de México evaluated and down-selected security features through a methodical six step process that begins with maintaining a comprehensive registration of security features and working with those regarded as having potential through structured tests of durability; adversarial (counterfeit) analysis; processability; functionality, and finally integration into a design. Through this process, one hundred security features dwindled to just twelve.

In the context of Banco de México’s continuous analysis of security features MOTION SURFACE® recently reached the final stage of evaluation: full customization of unique 3D and movement effects; and, integration into a polymer house note design commemorating the Jalisco Printing Works five-year anniversary.

MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE NEW TECHNOLOGY WITH HOUSE NOTES

House notes serve multiple purposes including opportunities for banknote printers and designers to explore new techniques; learn about and work with new security features; evaluate their performance and compatibility with printing processes; and assess durability. Tying these together is the note’s theme, providing needed guidance for feature customization and integration. The Jalisco House Note allowed the Bank’s design and operations teams to leverage their creativity and experience towards a complete evaluation of MOTION SURFACE. 

MOTION SURFACE Product Manager for Crane Currency, Rebecca Herr appreciates the investment that Banco de México made in designing and producing the Jalisco House Note. “Within Crane Currency, producing a house note is an important step in validating and educating about new features,” said Herr, “It’s the reason we produced the ‘Pinball Note’ in 2022 to introduce MOTION SURFACE on polymer.”

Herr also appreciates the thoroughness of Banco de México’s evaluation, “Banco de México is a long-time user of Crane micro-optics and an advanced banknote printer. Its evaluation is in-depth, encompassing public perception, security analysis and printability. It’s a privilege to work with their teams.”

THE JALISCO HOUSE NOTE – A TRIBUTE TO THE WORKERS

In November, the House Note was delivered to Banco de México’s personnel. Its design is a tribute to the site’s five-year anniversary and the workers who made it possible. During the recent MODERN BANKNOTE FUNDAMENTALS seminar in Buenos Aires, Banco de México Banknote Designer Elba Benitez shared insights into the Bank’s customization and industrial printing of MOTION SURFACE on polymer.

Samples of the house notes have been delivered to Crane Currency, to recognize the project’s collaboration and teamwork. “We’ll bring these with us to our Modern Banknote Fundamentals seminars scheduled for early next year,” enthused Herr, “The customization and integration of MOTION SURFACE on polymer achieved by Banco de México will impress central banks across those regions. The result is a tribute to Bank’s rigorous processes and creativity.”

For more information and a closer look at the Jalisco House Note, look for the next edition of Crane Currency’s Newsletter early next year – or see them firsthand during the MBF seminars in January and February.