176) 25 Dirham Commemorative Banknote issued by the
Central Bank of Morocco in 2012 by using an innovative paper-polymer-paper
technology for the first time:
The use of scanners and
colour printers in the nineties brought new challenges for Banknote printing.
The embedded metallic threads have now given way to optical effects such as
changing colours or images. Holograms and colour shifting effects in the form
of threads, stripes or patches now protect many different Banknotes to prevent
counterfeiting.
Fortress Paper Ltd. has brought out the World’s first
Banknote which was printed on its new Durasafe substrate, which is an
innovative paper-polymer-paper composite substrate produced at its Landqart
Mill.
Hybrid polymer Banknote substrate used on this Banknote brings the
advantages of paper Banknotes and polymer Banknotes together in an innovative cotton
film around a polyester fiber core.
The
Landqart Mill:
The
Landqart Mill is a leading producer of Banknote and high security papers. The
high security papers produced by the Landqart Mill incorporate internationally
recognised overt and covert security features which are embedded into the
paper.
Since 1979, the Landqart Mill is the sole provider of Banknote paper for Swiss currency which is widely recognised as the lost secure currency in the world. In addition, the Landqart Mill provides paper for over 100 currency denominations in over 50 countries.
The new 25 Dirham Moroccan Commemorative Banknote brought out on 28.12.2012 is the first to be printed on Durasafe. The new Banknote was printed on a substrate consisting of a polymer layer embedded between two layers of paper. (Interestingly, in 2014, the reverse combination has been used on the Ryder Cup Banknote with one cotton paper core encompassed in two polymer outer layers).
Since 1979, the Landqart Mill is the sole provider of Banknote paper for Swiss currency which is widely recognised as the lost secure currency in the world. In addition, the Landqart Mill provides paper for over 100 currency denominations in over 50 countries.
The new 25 Dirham Moroccan Commemorative Banknote brought out on 28.12.2012 is the first to be printed on Durasafe. The new Banknote was printed on a substrate consisting of a polymer layer embedded between two layers of paper. (Interestingly, in 2014, the reverse combination has been used on the Ryder Cup Banknote with one cotton paper core encompassed in two polymer outer layers).
The new Swiss 50 Franc
Banknote was earlier expected to be the first in the World to use Durasafe
technology, but its introduction was delayed till 2015 due to technical
difficulties acting as an obstacle to the Banknote’s production. The new Moroccan 25-Dirham Banknote which
was issued in December 2012 by the Bank al Maghrib, Morocco, stole a march over the Swiss 50 franc
Banknote, by becoming the first Banknote in the World to be printed on Durasafe
and that too in Switzerland.
The Front of the 25
Dirham Moroccan Banknote features an intaglio vignette and a watermark
of King Mohammed VI, and a magenta/green colour shift security thread developed
by Fortress Optical Features Ltd. The thread, like the watermark is embedded
inside the Banknote, yet is visible behind a one-sided Viewsafe polymer window.
It also has a fully transparent polymer window embossed with the King’s Royal
crest.
The Commemorative 25
Dirham Banknote as it appears against a normal background.
The Commemorative 25
Dirham Banknote as it appears against a partially dark/black background. Notice
that the King’s Royal crest is more visible in the transparent window against
the black background.
The Back of the 25
Dirham Moroccan Banknote carries a print vignette commemorating 25
years of Banknote printing at the Moroccan State Printing Works, Dar As-Sikkah.
Statistics:
4.2 million pieces of the
new 25 Dirham banknote were issued to commemorate the 57th
Anniversary of Morocco’s independence and the 25th Anniversary of
the commissioning of the Mint at “Dar-Assikkah”.
A limited Series of
200,000 Banknotes numbering 00001000 to 200000 were reserved for Collectors. This Banknote is numbered 388386 indicating
that it is a Banknote received through general circulation.
The Special paper technology used on these Commemorative Banknotes is a technology pioneered by Landqart AG (a Swiss
Security Paper making Company):
Durasafe: This is a
new high security composite paper-polymer-paper Banknote substrate which has
been launched in 2010 pioneered by Landqart AG and was developed in collaboration
with the Swiss National Bank. This
technology is a platform for the world’s most secure banknotes.
Durasafe is an innovative Banknote substrate composed of two cotton paper outer layers with a
fully transparent polymer core which can contain all the security
design options as compared to conventional paper Banknotes, but it offers
numerous new design options. Durasafe has the unique ability to implement
security features consisting of semi and fully transparent windows of different
shapes, sizes and positions and the three layer substrate greatly increases the
durability of the Banknote.
The paper is high security
cylinder mould which is made containing a watermark and security fibres as well
as other security features including paper tactility. The polymer core adds
strength and security, while allowing windows to be formed virtually anywhere
on the Banknote. Windows can be formed to look into the core of the substrate
or directly through the substrate.
Durasafe
combines the ideal characteristics of polymer and traditional paper notes to
create a new standard for high security Banknote substrates.
Thrusafe: These
windows are fully transparent and can be designed in different shapes for
various banknote denominations or commemorative Banknotes. The
windows in Durasafe are formed by die cutting each side of the three
layered composite substrate separately. One-sided Viewsafe windows give
a clear view inside the substrate where the thread and the watermark of King
Mohammad VI are protected, but are fully visible behind the polymer core. The
transparent “Thrusafe” window is created by die-cutting both the outer
paper layers to reveal only the transparent polymer core.
Viewsafe: Viewsafe windows allow a clear view into the core of the Durasafe
banknotes. The security foil or watermark or the unprinted inside surface of
the differently coloured security paper layer on the opposite side of the
banknote sealed behind the clear polymer one can be easily/safely seen. This
window draws the holder’s attention to the visible security features sealed
inside the substrate of the banknote.
Durability: The polymer core affords stability and higher mechanical strength
properties to the banknote for a much longer life span than ordinary paper
banknotes, particularly when combined with an effective post-printing varnish.
Fortress
Optical Security Features: This facility produces
optical thin film and other optical security products for Banknote and Security
papers, however this unit has been sold to another Company in October 2014,
hence, this the production of optical
thin film has been stopped by Landqart.
(The
above Banknote is from the collection of Jayant Biswas. Article researched and
written and Banknotes scanned by Rajeev Prasad)
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