Anticounterfeiting secrets of Benjamin Franklin’s paper money revealed

A composite artwork of a portrait of Franklin and some printed paper money

Source: © Kristina Davis

Sophisticated analytical techniques brought to bear on US notes from the 18th century

One of the principal advocates for establishing the American monetary system and one of its first printers of notes was the legendary scientist Benjamin Franklin, a statesman and a signatory to the US Declaration of Independence. Now, using both conventional and cutting-edge techniques, US scientists have gained new insights into his paper money and their security features.