Transparent window on paper bank notes
 

By InterCrim-press, Russia

21.10.05

The 20 leva commemorative banknote issued by the National Bank of Bulgaria (BNB) last month features a new security element — Varifeye — which is the first time when a transparent window is used on a paper note.

The new banknote issued on September 15 and commemorates 120th Anniversary of the first Bulgarian banknote. The front of the banknote features symbolic elements of the BNB: stylised elements from the BNB building and the BNB emblem. The back of the banknote features a replica of the first Bulgarian banknote of 20 leva, issued in 1885 and image of the old BNB building.

The new Bulgarian banknote boasts a number of the security features that can be hardly found on banknotes with much higher nominal value. It contains two watermarks, two holograms, OVI, holographic window security thread, see through register, microtexts. However the most remarkable about this note is the use of brand new security element on paper banknotes — Varifeye.

Vaifeye comprises an aperture that is generated during the papermaking process. After that the aperture is covered with a foil that has clear area. The foil has optically variable liquid crystal security feature.When the Bulgarian banknote is observed against white backdrop number “20” becomes visible in the window. Against dark backdrop the window displays a series of strips.

Previously a clear window was attributed solely to the plastic banknotes. New Bulgarian banknote breaks the monopoly of the plastic for transparency. So far it is hard to say how durable new security element will be. Results of the Bulgarian banknote will allow to come to initial conclusions. However, they unlikely will be final as the banknote is commemorative and its print run will be disseminated primarily amongst collectors.