The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 39, September 11, 2005, Article 13

BULGARIAN NOTE TO HAVE UNIQUE SEE-THROUGH FEATURE

Bulgaria's Sofia news agency announced on September
8th that "Bulgaria will launch this month a banknote with a
unique see-through security feature, Varifeye. The BGN 20
special edition bill will mark 120 years since the first Bulgarian
BGN 20 and BGN 50 banknotes were launched, the Central
Bank announced Thursday. Its press release explained that
would be the first time Varifeye is used internationally. The
premiere of the bill will take place next Wednesday."
Full Story

The feature is a product of a German company, Papierfabrik
Louisenthal. The following is from a press release on their
web site:

"Munich, May 10, 2005 – Based in Gmund, South Germany,
Papierfabrik Louisenthal, a wholly-owned subsidiary of technology
group Giesecke & Devrient GmbH (G&D), has for the first time
presented a new generation of paper-based banknotes with a
see-through window. The deckle-edged window incorporates
a clear film that permits immediate, conclusive authentication
of the banknote.

Louisenthal has developed this novel security feature, known
as varifeye®, as a see-through window with a genuine deckle
edge combined with state-of-the-art security film elements.
The general public can visually verify a note that incorporates
this feature simply by holding it alternately against a light or dark
background. When users hold the element against a light-colored
background or look through it, a "V" can be seen in the window.
In front of a dark background, the "V" disappears and a green-
black hatched area becomes visible. Imitating this effect with
the use of commercially available technology is virtually
impossible. This means that it presents a particularly high barrier
to counterfeiting

The deckle-edge window is created during the process of
cylinder-mold web formation as the stock fibers collect against
the deckle, leading to the characteristic feather look. The
exclusiveness of this method provides especially high counterfeit
protection, as it is almost impossible to reproduce by alternative
techniques such as punching or cutting."

To read the full press release, see: Full Story

[Is this use of the see-through feature truly unique to
the new Bulgarian note? Undoubtedly, the company
will attempt to sell other governments on buying its
product, so if it works well, it won't be unique for long.
-Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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