Description
Abstract: Both Canada and the United States have undertaken recent studies of public knowledge and human perception related to bank notes and counterfeits. These two types of studies yield complementary results that confirm or refute accepted beliefs regarding security features and bank notes, and provide guidance in their design. However, to be useful, the results of these studies need to be evaluated and applied in the context of note design. Such evaluation and incorporation of results can be used to improve how bank notes are designed for different users, such as members of the general public, cash handlers, bank tellers and law enforcement personnel. Analysis of the counterfeits used in the perception studies and comparative evaluation of results can lead to a better understanding of the types of counterfeiters and help identify gaps in note designs to address those types. In this paper, the results from two recent studies conducted by the Bank of Canada on public awareness of currency design features and on human perception of genuine and counterfeit notes are used to illustrate the method of analysis and application of results to bank note design. Interpretations for specific features are highlighted.