Alan Newman, Product Director for the Currency Division, De La Rue

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Categories
Banknotes
Features

Eye-Catching, Distinctive and Secure

An example of a combinational hologram. The top section is originated using direct-write lithography, incorporating Spotlight™ (Thomas de la Rue logo, that appears to rotate about a vertical pivot above and below the plane of the hologram) and surrounded by PureImage™ (bringing the pattern work of Crystal Palace to life with dynamic movement). The middle section is a classical hologram, featuring an RGB portrait of Thomas de la Rue, microtext and the number 1 with depth and parallax effects. The bottom section also uses direct-write lithography and brings the Onoto pen to life with pseudo-relief combined with achromatic colour.

An example of a combinational hologram. The top section is originated using direct-write lithography, incorporating Spotlight™ (Thomas de la Rue logo, that appears to rotate about a vertical pivot above and below the plane of the hologram) and surrounded by PureImage™ (bringing the pattern work of Crystal Palace to life with dynamic movement). The middle section is a classical hologram, featuring an RGB portrait of Thomas de la Rue, microtext and the number 1 with depth and parallax effects. The bottom section also uses direct-write lithography and brings the Onoto pen to life with pseudo-relief combined with achromatic colour.

At the latest count a third of all banknotes contain a diffractive feature, in the form of a patch, stripe or thread, 327 to be precise. According to Frank van der Horst of the DNB in his presentation at the recently-concluded Holography Conference, the feature is the second best in public recognition terms after watermarks – which makes one wonder why the other two thirds of banknotes don’t use one!