Bank Note

an engraved certificate representing its face value in specie. In the production of bank notes, the principal purpose is to render their forgery impo ible, or at least easy of detection. This is sought to be effected by peculiarity of paper, design, and printing. In the United States, the bank notes at present in circulation are manufactured by the Government Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the paper being made by a private concern, under a patented proce , the chief ingredients being a mixture of linen and cotton fiber, into which are introduced threads of silk, so arranged as to be perceptible after the notes are printed. This style of paper is furnished only to the government. Superior skill is exercised in engraving the plates, nearly all parts of them being executed by the geometrical; lathe and the ruling machine the work of which it is impo ible to imitate succe fully by hand. The printing of the notes is done in colored inks of the best quality, sometimes as many as four shades being used. The great ex: pense of the machines used in the engraving, and the superior quality of the work generally, renders succe ful counterfeiting almost impo ible. The notes, when badly worn, are returned to the Umted States Treasury, other notes being i ued in their stead.