Security features of the modern US banknotes
(with the example of 100 dollars issued in 2001)

 
USA, 100 dollars 2001, obverse USA, 100 dollars 2001, reverse
 
Banknote number (1) Banknote number is always unique. In the latest serie of the US dollars the number is more complicated; it goes as AA 00000000 A plus reserve bank letter and digit. Negative ornament (2) Much of the ornamental decoration on the US dollars is done in negative, both on obverse and reverse. On the obverse it's also done with intaglio printing.
Thin lines (3) Thin lines in the numerals also make it more difficult to counterfeit the banknote. Gradient thickness of the lines is also a feature against fraud. Miniature details (4) Miniature details are the most important feature about the US dollars. Portraits become more complicated from serie to serie, ans a lot of tiny details are present at the picture on the reverses of the notes. Portraites are done with intaglio printing.
Concentric lines (5) Concentric lines on the banknotes are oval sections on the obverse and on the reverse. The lines go very close there and such positioning makes the copying equipment draw spectacular "rainbow" lines instead Intaglio printing (6) Most of the black drawings on the banknote are made in the technique of intaglio printing. They are raised above the note and can be felt with fingertips. It's achieved by a high pressure applying a thick layer of paint.
Watermark (7) The watermark has first appeared in this serie of the US dollars. It repeats the portrait on the obverse of the banknote at, but is twice as small. In the case with $100, the watermark is Benjamin Franklin's portrait. Variable colour element (8) This element changes colour from green when looked straight at the banknote, to black, when viewed at an angle.
Signature (9) Signature is not a serious protective feature; rather a detail to show who is responsible for issuing and provisioning the banknotes. Security thread (10) Security thread on the US dollars was introduced in 1993. It's still of insider type (never shows on a surface) with the 1996-2001 series, and contains text USA 100 on it in straight and upside down position. The thread glows red under UV rays.
Microtext (11) Microtext is hidden within the null digits in the lower left corner of the notes. It's again USA 100 text, it can be seen with a strong magnifying glass only. Hair (12) "Hair" is a common feature of many currencies - these small coloured pieces appear in random locations all over the note on both sides. It's also luminescent under UV rays.
Paper texture (13) Paper texture is quite unique with the US dollars. It's achieved by adding linen fibres when producing the paper, and it also gives a unique feel to the notes.    

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