USSS Counterfeit Division

Related terms

BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene)

The polymer film substrate for polymer-substrate banknotes (Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada). Distinguished from cotton-linen paper notes by FTIR-ATR (CH3 methyl peaks...

Europol PEX (Project Ester)

Europol's coordination framework for EUR counterfeit currency intelligence across EU member states, linked to the ECB's Counterfeit Monitoring System (CMS) and the...

FICN (Fake Indian Currency Notes)

Counterfeit Indian banknotes, especially high-denomination ₹500 and ₹2000 notes. High-quality FICN (sometimes called 'super FICN') is coordinated under NIA investigation and intelligence...

Fluorescent Security Ink

An ink visible only under UV illumination at a specific wavelength (typically 365 nm), used to print denomination numerals, flag motifs, and...

Goniospectrophotometry

A spectrophotometric technique that measures reflectance spectra at multiple illumination and viewing angle combinations simultaneously, enabling quantitative characterisation of OVI colour-shift profiles...

Intaglio Printing

A high-pressure printing process in which ink is forced into engraved recesses in a steel plate and transferred to paper, producing a...

Optically Variable Ink (OVI)

An ink containing thin-film interference flakes (metal + dielectric layers, manufactured by SICPA and others) that produce a visible colour shift with...

Security Thread

A strip of metallised biaxially-oriented PET film embedded in the paper substrate, alternating between visible (windowed) and embedded segments. May carry magnetic...

SICPA OVI

Optically variable ink technology commercialised by SICPA Security Inks and Coatings SA, Lausanne. Each flake is a vacuum-deposited Al / dielectric (MgF2...

Explained in

• Counterfeit Currency: Security Features and Chemical AnalysisThe division of the United States Secret Service responsible for counterfeit currency investigation, including 'supernote' investigations attributed to DPRK an...