The U.S. government is going to destroy tens of millions of new $100 bills due to the printing mistake known as “mashing”, The National Post reports. That mistake involves applying too much ink to the paper. As the result, the banknotes estimated at $3 billion were considered as “clearly unacceptable”.
Faulty brushing made the microprint lines too thick. Besides, one of the signs of notes’ authenticity was lost. Now the Fed is inspecting another consignment of new Ben Franklins, which were supposed to be launched in 2011.
The introduction of the latter ones had been postponed several times and finally did not happen. It hasn’t been announced yet how much such a delay of two year and a half may cost the American taxpayers. However, it is about millions of dollars. Hence, the regulator can file a lawsuit against the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington in order to receive damages.
New design of a $100 banknote will differ from the previous one. Moreover, some of the security measures will help the bills to be much more secure from counterfeiting. One of the key novelties includes a Liberty Bell image inside an inkwell to the right of Benjamin Franklin’s portrait. The bell changes color from copper to green when titled. Furthermore, it is holographic.
The image of Independence Hall will be also redesigned: now the new banknote shows the building’s back. The Franklin’s portrait as well as the building, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, will be bigger now and lack their vignettes. It is worthy of note that neighboring Canada has successfully rolled out new plastic banknotes. Nevertheless, some of its citizens complained that the improved bills are not as resistant to heat as the paper ones, so they can melt in case money gets into a dryer.
