Study of Mechanisms

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UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Memorandum BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING
TO :See Distribution DATE: August 25, 1983
FROM :Maurice M. Schneider
Executive Assistant
suBjECT:Study of Mechanisms for the Denomination of Currency by the
Blind or Visually Impaired
I am attaching a final draft copy of the "Study of Mechanisms
for the Denomination of Currency by the Blind or Visually Impaired.
ff
Please review it and respond with any comments you may have by
September 7th. If you respond by telephone, please follow with your
comments in writing.
Distribution:
Dr. Graminski
Mr. Regone
\/Mr. Williams
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D R A F T
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A STUDY OF MECHANISMS FOR
THE DENOMINATION OF U.S.CURRENCY
BY THE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED
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Ta b l e o f Co n t e n t s
I. INTRODUCTION
II. EX ECUTIVE Su m m a r y , AND STUDY FINDING S AND RECOMMENDATIONS
III. IDENTIFICATION OF FEATURES TO AID THE VISUALLY HANDICAPPED
A. G e n e r a l
B. Ta r g e t Po p u l a t i o n
C. St u d y o f Fo r e i g n Cu r r e n c i e s
D. Fi n d i n g s
IV. ANALYSIS OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE UNITED STATES
A. G e n e r a l
B. Vi s u a l Me c h a n i s m s
C. Ta c t i l e Me c h a n i s m s
D. Au r a l Me c h a n i s m s
E. Su m m a r y
F. Fi n d i n g s
V. SUMMARY
1
3
5
11
16
APPENDIX 1 De n o m i n a t i o n o f Cu r r e n c y
APPENDIX 2 Fo r e i g n G o v e r n m e n t Ex p e r i e n c e
APPENDIX 3 Fe a s i b i l i t y St u d y - Po c k e t Cu r r e n c y Re a d e r
APPENDIX 4 Te c h n i c a l In f o r m a t i o n o n Br a i l l e
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1. INTRODUCTION
A* Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate
possible changes to U. S. currency which will assist the
blind or sight handicapped in distinguishing currency denom-
inations. In developing the recommendation, the study group
reviewed applicable design features utilized by other
countries as well as features which are or will be prac-
ticable as a result of technological developments, and
assessed the effect of these features on the production of
U. S. currency.
B. Background
This study was requested by Congressman Edward R. Roybal,
Chairman of the House Select Committee on Aging, on
February 8, 1983• Significant interest in the development
of U.S. currency to assist the sight impaired, however,
has existed since the early 1 970
f
s . In January 1971
f
the
Netherlands introduced bank notes with distinctive raised
(tactile) symbols for each denomination. In June' of that
year, Congressman Rarick of Louisiana introduced H.R. 9102
which would have required the incorporation of braille
denomination information in currency. Several similar
resolutions were introduced between 1971 and 1981, none of
which were passed into law.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has con-
ducted research into methods of denominating currency over
the past twelve years, including studies in 1976 and 1980.
The 1976 study evaluated the incorporation of braille
markings in currency. Experimental currency notes were
printed and both the physical characteristics of these
notes and the usefulness for sight handicapped individuals
assessed. During 1980, research was done to evaluate the
potential impact of "notching
11
notes in unique locations
for each denomination as well as cutting the corners of the
notes.
Both the Federal Reserve System and the U.S. Secret
Service expressed fundamental concerns over problems which
might arise during the transition period when notched or
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corner cut and regular currency would co-circulate* The
current study was commissioned to provide a definitive sta-
tement on the issue of currency for the blind through a
more exhaustive examination of options than had previously
been undertaken.
C. Methodology
The study was conducted under the overall direction of
a Steering Committee with representatives from the American
Council of the Blind, the Federal Reserve System, and the
U.S.Secret Service. A Working Group, which consisted of
BEP technical, engraving, and printing specialists, p e r -
formed background research and prepared the study. Two
electronics consultants, one from the American Foundation
for the Blind and one from the National Science Foundation,
provided information on electronic currency reading m a c h i n e s .
The study itself consisted of three portions:
1. The currencies of 54 foreign nations and the U. S.
were reviewed for certain characteristics which would
contribute to denominination discrimination by the sight
impaired. Those countries which had purposely introduced
intaglio, braille-like denomination symbols were then con-
tacted. They were requested to provide information on the
utility of the measures they had taken as well as to
describe adverse effects encountered during production and
circulation. Five countries responded to this inquiry.
2 . The BEP working group then evaluated selected
features on the basis of cost-effectiveness, probable u s e -
fulness to the sight impaired, and impact on the production
of currency.
3. Finally, the concept of an automated portable
currency reader was evaluated as an alternative, with or
without any changes in the design of currency. Criteria
used were production feasibility and cost to the consumer.
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II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION
A. Executive Summary
There are two approaches which can be taken to provide
assistance to the blind and visually handicapped for
distinguishing different denominations of U.S. currency.
These are the incorporation of certain features in the
designs of Federal Reserve Notes and the development of
portable electronic devices which will "read" and provide
denomination information. The usefulness of these measures
varies for different segments of the sight impaired popula-
tion depending upon the degree of visual impairment. That
population includes persons who have been blind since
birth, those who were blinded later in life, and the p a r -
tially sighted.
This study is the result of the efforts of a group of
technical specialists from the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing (BEP), under the direction of a Steering Committee
composed of representatives from the American Council of
the Blind, the Federal Reserve System, and the U. S. Secret
Service. The BEP working group assessed various mechanisms
for denominating currency on the basis of cost-effectiveness,
utility to the visually handicapped, and effect on produc-
tion and circulation. The study findings are based upon a
review of the currencies of 54 foreign nations, the exper-
iences of countries currently producing currency for the
blind, previous research performed by BEP, and findings by
the American Foundation for the Blind. Several high poten-
tial mechanisms for denominating currency were identified:
1. Visual mechanisms, including intaglio colors, o f f -
set tints, and large, distinct n u m e r a l s . The use of these
visual devices would aid the partially sighted but would be
of no benefit for the blind. Increased annual cost for
currency for these modifications range from $640,000 to
$3,500,000.
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2
V
Tactile mechanisms, such as braille-like symbols,
clipped corners, and different sizes. Devices in this
category could be of value to the blind as well as the par-
tially sighted depending upon the device and the tactile
skills of the target population. A design modification
with high apparent utility for the blind and low counter-
feitability is sized currency. This option would require
BEP to expend about $26 million in implementation costs and
would increase manufacturing costs by about $7 million per
year.
3. Aural mechanisms, specifically an electronic
"reader" to produce audible signals for different denomina-
tions. The working group determined that the development
of a portable electronic currency reader should be
encouraged whether or not actual changes to the design of
currency are proposed.
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B. Findings and Recommendation
CHAPTER III. IDENTIFICATION OF FEATURES TO AID THE VISUALLY
HANDICAPPED
Findings:
III-1 There are three major categories of the sight han-
dicapped, each with slightly different n e e d s : Those born
blind, those blinded later in life, and the partially
sighted,
III-2 Each of these groups has different skills to use in
identifying the denomination of U. S. currency.
III-3 A survey of 54 foreign nations indicated that the
currencies of all these countries contain some features
which may be of some benefit to the visually impaired popu-
lation. However, few countries have intentionally designed
currency for this purpose.
III-4 None of the countries contacted indicated that the
systems they were using for denomination of currency by the
blind were completely satisfactory.
III-5 Potentially useful design features are either visual
(colors, large clear numerals) or tactile (braille or
braille-like symbols, cut corners or notches, different
s i ze s )•
III-6 Electronic technology is presently available which
can produce audible signals identifying bank note denomina-
tions.
CHAPTER IV. ANALYSIS OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE UNITED
STATES
Findings:
IV-1 A potentially effective method of providing currency
denomination information to the sight-impaired is to deve-
lop hand-held, electronic currency readers.
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IV-2 Based on limited information, it would appear that
the most widely useful currency design change would be to
produce Federal Reserve notes in a different size for each
denomination. However, the effects of such a change on
broad and diverse segments of the population would be monu-
mental.
IV-3 Costs for making currency design changes range from
$640,000 to $6,670,000 per year in addition to initial
costs. Depending upon the design, as many as 150 a d d i -
tional Full-Time (personnel) Equivalents would be required
by BEP to produce modified currency.
IV-4 Changes to currency design and the issuance of new
currency will probably have a significant impact on the
public and private sectors especially on currency handling
and processing equipment such as change machines.
Recommendation:
Pursue the development of and seek funding for a hand-
held electronic reader to denominate currency.
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IIJ. IDENTIFICATION OF FEATURES TO AID THE VISUALLY
HANDICAPPED
A. General
In order to identify a range of features which should
aid in the denomination of currency, the working group u t i -
lized a three stage process. First, the
w
target
population
11
, or groups the denomination features would be
designed to help, was identified. Next, the range of p r a c -
ticable options was examined through a review of 54 world
currencies. Finally, the list of options for BEP analysis
was determined, based upon the world currencies, BEP
experience, and research into technological developments.
B. Target Population
There are actually three different categories of sight
handicapped, each with different abilities which affect
their needs for handling and denominating currency. These
categories include:
»
1. Persons who are born blind or who become blind in
early childhood. They usually develop an excellent sense
of touch and may have the ability to read braille.
Currency with braille-like intaglio (line engraved, raised)
printed symbols would assist this group.
2 . Those who become blind later in life as a result of
accident, disease, etc. and whose touch is typically no
better than that of a sighted person of normal sensitivity.
Raised or embossed symbols or braille markings (especially
"jumbo" braille) might assist this group, although many do
not read braille.
3. Individuals who are not totally blind but who have
limited vision. These persons are usually able to distin-
guish bright, clear colors or large, simple numerals (also
called Sanserif n u m e r a l s ).
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The sight handicapped "target population
11
is there-
fore not a single entity, but a composite of individuals
with disparate skill levels, many of whom are not able to
read common braille or >raille-type symbols. To assure the
broadest utility to the visually impaired, features would
have to be selected which accomodate the abilities and
needs of those who are blinded later in life and who may
not have an especially acute sense of touch.
C. Survey of Foreign Currencies
A list of the currencies of 54 foreign nations was
developed and the designs categorized by denomination (see
Appendix 1 ). Factors considered as relevant were (differ-
ences in) note size, the location of key design features,
color and depth of color, use of intaglio (or raised)
printing, and inclusion of braille or braille-like e l e m e n t s .
The braille elements could be produced in the currency
paper, embossed on the notes, or intaglio printed.
1. There is a good deal of diversity among world
currencies in terms of printing methods as well as design
features. Some of the foreign currencies, such as those of
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Israel intentionally, incor-
porate features to assist the sight handicapped. Other
currencies contain mechanisms such as colors, which may,
unintentionally assist the sight impaired. Of the 54
currencies reviewed, only that of the United States employs
the same colors for all denominations. Other relevant
currency characteristics which were identified include:
a. La r g e , simple (sanserif) numerals for d e n o m i -
nation - currencies of Ireland, Israel, and the Netherlands
bear this type of numeral isolated from the surrounding
design so as to be distinct and clearly legible.
b . Different sizes for different denominations -
Twenty-nine of the countries employ a different size for
each denomination. Nine other countries utilize sized
notes for some, but not all, denominations.
c. Braille symbols - None of the surveyed
countries use braille or braille-like symbols which are
embossed on the notes or are manufactured in the paper.
However, Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), and Switzerland issue
currency with distinctive symbols imprinted by the intaglio
process.
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2 . - Fo r e i g n experience with denomination features -The
seven countries which utilize intaglio printed denomination
symbols on their notes were contacted and asked for an assess-
ment of their experiences* Five countries, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, and Israel, responded.
With the exception of Belgium, the respondents indicated
that the symbols were of some utility to the blind* However,
all of the Central Banks noted that the imprinted symbols
were of limited durability* The Swiss found, through
testing, that raised printing was generally ineffective
after a few months - as soon as the bills lost their
ff
crispness
ff
. Switzerland also felt that different sizes of
currency was potentially the most effective method of d e n o -
mination.
The Director of the Central Bank of Belgium indicated
that while the utility of printed symbols to the blind was
questionable, there seemed to be no obvious reason to e l i -
minate the features, (as there seemed to be substantial
drawbacks to other methods of tactile d e n o m i n a t i o n ).
Durability of the printed symbols was also found to be a
problem by the Be l g i a n s .
3. Selection of features for BEP Evaluation. Based
upon previous research at the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing and the review of, denomination features in foreign
currencies, a list of potential devices for inclusion in
U. S. currency was developed (figure 1 ). These were c a t e -
gorized by the means the visually handicapped would use to
discriminate between different n o t e s . The major categories
include visual, tactile, and aural techniques. The cate-
gory for audible signals, which would be produced by
currency "readers", was included in recognition of recent
advances in electronics technology which provide the capa-
bility to miniaturize commercially available devices.
Chapter IV discusses the various options in more detail.
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D. FINDINGS.
III-1 There are three major categories of the sight han-
dicapped, each with slightly different n e e d s : Those born
blind, those blinded later in life, and the partially
sighted.
III-2 Each of these groups has different skills to use in
identifying the denomination of U.S. currency.
III-3 A survey of 54 foreign nations indicated that all
the currency of these countries contain some features which
may be of some benefit to the visually impaired population.
However, few countries have intentionally designed currency
for this purpose.
III-4 None of the countries contacted indicated that the
systems they were using for denomination of currency by the
blind were completely satisfactory.
III-5 Potentially useful design features are either visual
(colors, large clear numerals) or tactile (braille or
braille-like symbols, cut corners or notches or different
s i ze s ).
III-6 Electronic technology is presently available which
can produce audible signs identifying bank note denomina-
tions.
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IV. ANALYSIS OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE UNITED STATES
A. General
This chapter presents the results of the BEP evalua-
tion of selected features to assist the sight handicapped
in denominating currency. Visual, tactile, and aural tech-
niques are discussed in terms of cost, utility to the target
population, and impact on production and circulation,
B. Visual Mechanisms
Persons of limited vision can often distinguish
bright, clear colors of different hues as well as large,
simple numbers. Color may be incorporated in currency in
the intaglio printed image, in offset background tints
(surface printing from photographically reproduced p l a t e s ),
or through tinting of the substrate (paper) during manu-
facture. To be of the most utility to persons of limited
vision, the colors should be very distinctive, i.e. primary
colors. Colors may, in addition, provide increased coun-
terfeit deterrence value for currency. However, the opti-
mum counterfeit deterrent currency requires more subtle
coloration in order to make reproduction difficult. Such a
configuration which might combine a dark, intaglio image
with pastel offset background designs, would be of limited
use to the sight handicapped.
1. The use of colored intaglio inks would require an
initial cost of at least $470,000 and an annual increase in
BEP costs of $640,000 ($.13 per 1000 Federal Reserve No t e s ).
An additional 16 Full Time Employee Equivalents (FTE
f
s )
would also be needed.
2 . The introduction of offset (background) tints would
cost at least $2,200,000 initially and $3,460,000 per year.
As many as seventy-two more FTE
f
s would be required.
3. The manufacturing of currency with large, legible
numerals would require a major design change and the pre-
paration of new currency dies and printing p l a t e s . Any
-costs would have to be weighed against the utility for only
a small portion of the visually handicapped population.
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C. Tactile Mechanisms
Tactile mechanisms for the denomination of currency by
the blind may be produced by modifications to either the
substrate (paper) or the image (inks, e t c .). Substrate
modifications include different sizes (dimensions) for d i f -
ferent denominationsj notched edges, clipped corners, or
perforations; and embossed braille or braille-like symbols•
Image modifications include intaglio printed braille-like
symbols and braille-like symbols applied by a hot-melt or
similar embossing procedure.
1. Research by the Central Bank of Switzerland indica-
tes that different sizes of currency by denomination are
most useful to the blind. No exceptional tactual acuity is
required: a small template or coded ruler can be carried
for use in comparing the dimensions of each banknote.
There are several disadvantages to this approach,
however. Inserting new denominations in a sized sequence
would be extremely difficult. For example, introduction of
a $2 bill between a sized $1 and $5 bill would have
required substantial changes in the way BEP produced the
notes as well as the handling by banks and private c i t i -
ze n s . The current estimates of implementation costs at BEP
for sized currency is $25,630,000, principally to acquire
new processing equipment and to modify existing printing
and processing equipment. Annual manufacturing require-
ments would increase costs by about $6,670,000 and would
result in the need for 150 more Full-Time Equivalents.
There would also be costs to the private sector for sized
cash register drawers, modifications of automatic teller
and change machines, etc.
2 . Notched edges or clipped corners have frequently
been suggested as a means for the tactile denomination of
currency. However, of the foreign currencies reviewed,
none exhibit this design feature, primarily because wear
characteristics might invalidate the distinctiveness of
notches or cut corners in a relatively short time. A s i m i -
lar mechanism would be the perforation of the substrate
(paper) in a different pattern for each denomination.
Greater tactual acuity would likely be required to
recognize this device than to differentiate notched edges
or clipped corners. Both of these design changes would
necessitate additional capital equipment and staffing. The
initial cost would be about $2,600,000. Annual costs would
be $1,400,000 and require 29 Full-Time Equivalents.
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_ 3* There are several methods of producing currency
with braille or braille-like symbols. Traditional braille
documents are produced by embossing a special, stiff paper
to produce a series of raised dots in groups or "cells
11
which designate letters or n u m e r a l s . "Jumbo* braille is a
larger, more widely spaced version of braille dots designed
for those possessing a poorer sense of touch. For such
embossing to be retained in a circulating banknote, the
substrate would probably have to be thicker and stiffer
than is typical of currency paper at present.
A related option would be the manufacture of currency
paper (substrate) with inherent (not embossed) patterns of
raised d o t s . Such a substrate could be produced by selec-
tive deposition of extra fibers as a pattern of small lumps
during the papermaking process. In this way, the overall
substrate would not have to be unusually thick or stiff; in
fact, the small lumps would be more easily discernable if
the paper were rather thin and flexible. Alternatively,
the process recently developed by the Minolta Corporation
(Osaka, Japan) for the photocopying in relief of braille
documents could be adapted to currency production: p h o t o -
sensitive microcapsules, included within the substrate,
expand on selective exposure to long-wavelength illumina-
tion, creating a three-dimensional reproduction of the
desired dot pattern in acceptable relief for braille. By
this latter method of inherent substrate dot production,
braille patterns could be generated after the banknotes are
printed.
Of the various features considered in this study,
braille-like symbols which are printed by the intaglio
method are the only design elements produced by any country
solely to assist the blind. These elements are an integral
part of the intaglio design, and are simply plate-printed
as a component of the overall intaglio image. As reported
by the Netherlands Bank, intaglio-printed identification
marks are of optimal design when they are of the maximum
height obtainable in plate printing (0.004 in) and the
minimum width necessary to technically realize that height
(0.020 i n ). However, because the relief achieved by intaglio
printing is only one-fifth that of traditional braille, and
because only a small proportion of the blind can read
genuine braille characters, printed tactile identification
marks usually consist of simple figures recognizable even
at low relief. Symbols formed by narrow lines with an
opening about a finger's width (0.400 in) between them,
such as a square, circle, or triangle, have been found by
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Dutch researchers to be the most easily recognized. The
tactility of intaglio-printed identification marks can be
enhanced by the design of such symbols using closely spaced
(0.020 in) double lines, in order to reinforce the tactile
effect.
As an option, braille-like symbols or dot patterns
could be applied to printed banknotes as a final stage in
currency production using a hot-melt resin to create the
desired design. In this way, the relief obtainable would
likely be much greater than that achieved by intaglio
printing. The adhesion of such an applied resin to the
currency paper substrate would, however, need to be care-
fully evaluated.
The utility of braille-like symbols for the blind is
especially limited for these individuals who, because of
age or infirmity, may lack necessary sensitivity or manipu-
lative powers. Although intaglio printed braille-like sym-
bols would be more easily discerned if the currency paper
were rather thin, the height of the symbols will greatly
increase the effective note thickness. This is also true
for embossed or inherent symbols and means that process
changes will have to be made in the handling and storage of
notes. Costs to adapt current BEP equipment will be about
$8,100,000. Annual costs will be about $3*050,000 with a
requirement for 100 Full-Time Equivalents. There may be
additional costs associated with redundant raw material
inventories for dots imbedded in the paper substrate.
Although Israel has encountered no problems with processing
bank notes containing intaglio printed symbols through
their bank's currency hand-ling equipment, no tests have
been run with U.S. currency to determine the effect on
change m a c h i n e s , e t c . There is also some question as to
the life of bills with braille markings. At the present
time, $1 bills last about 18-22 months in circulation. The
Federal Reserve System is attempting to upgrade the quality
of currency which may significantly lower the circulation
period. Adding braille dots may further lower the cir-
culation time, requiring greater production and possible
higher equipment expenditures at BEP.
D. Aural mechanisms
The development of a pocket-sized electronic reader,
into which a banknote could be inserted and from which an
audible signal would be emitted communicating the n o t e
f
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denomination, is within the realm of currently available
technology. Electronic denomination can be based on a
number of different detection mechanisms, including
recognition of images now present in currency. Features
which could be incorporated in currency for instrumental
detection are colors (intaglio or o f f s e t ); bar codes,
grids, or coded perforations; and threads of specific com-
position, shape, and/or location which would be embedded in
the substrate.
A desk-top size electronic denomination unit has a l -
ready been successfully developed under the auspices of
the American Foundation for the Blind. This machine, which
is available through the Fo u n d a t i o n s Consumer Products
Department, cost around $6 00.00. A successful reader which
is portable has not yet become commercially available. A
preliminary study sponsored by the Foundation (June 1, 1983)
indicated that development of a miniaturized electric reader
was feasible. Cost to consumers would range from about
$75.00 to $250.00 depending upon sales volume. These e s t i -
mates are tentative, but could be refined by the Foundation
within 3 months through a more exhaustive analysis, funded
at about $1 5 , 000.
Research has been initiated by the Bank of Canada to
evaluate electronic denomination of currency on the basis
of recognition of the different colors employed in the p r e -
sent Canadian banknote issues. As an alternative, the
Canadians have also proposed the electronic recognition of
special grids (cross-hatching) of varying line densities
which could be incorporated as localized design elements in
an intaglio image. The Design Section of the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing has developed a series of experimen-
tal Federal Reserve Notes with the oval border of the
portrait area (obverse) redesigned to incorporate an unobtru-
sive bar code as part of the intaglio design. Such con-
figurations might be refined to enable electronic denomina-
tion of 0. S. currency on the basis of bar code recognition.
The incorporation of threads of special composition in
currency paper would also provide a means of denomination.
However, threads or bar codes would present only marginal
advantages in electronic reading over recognition of intaglio
characters now existing in n o t e s .
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E. Summary
Each of the proposed design modifications presents
some difficulties in regard to necessary changes to BEP
production m e t h o d s . Bach requires equipment changes and
additions of personnel. There are also a number of not yet
ascertained costs to the private sector for adaptation of
currency handling, change making equipment, e t c . The infor-
mation which is available from foreign banks, however, would
seem to indicate that more of the sight impaired population
would benefit from different sizes of currency than any
other method of denomination. The different notes could be
easily distinguished through use of a small "template*. The
implementation of this option, however, would have profound
consequences for the public and private sectors in modifying
currency handling equipment (cash registers, change machines)
and issuance of new currency and redemption of replaced notes.
Preliminary indications are that almost as broad a
segment of the sight impaired population would benefit from
use of an electronic device to audibly denominate bank
notes as from sized currency. This option is considered as
the second most useful option only because portable, a f f o r -
dable devices have not yet been commercially developed.
Braille-like symbols would not be as useful for denomina-
tion as the sized currency and electronic scanner for three
reasonsi many sight handicapped cannot read braille, the aged
or those who are blinded later in life often do not have an
extremely sensitive sense of touch, and braille symbols
will likely wear down extremely rapidly in circulation.
Notched edges or clipped corners on currency are a n t i -
cipated to be of some utility. However, none of the
foreign governments surveyed have employed this device in
their currency. Because of this lack of experience with
clipped corners and notches there is some concern about the
effect of these techniques on currency wear charactistics,
public perception of the modified notes, and usability of
the notes in automated currency handling equipment.
Additional problems may arise if notched currency is c i r -
culated without recalling presently circulating n o t e s .
Alteration of uncut notes could result in fraud and c o n -
sequent nonutilization of the system by the target popula-
tion.
16
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Even though different colored notes are widely used by
foreign governments, this technique would be useful only to
those who have some vision. There would be no advantage to
the blind. . -
F. Fi n d i n g s .
IV-1 A potentially effective method of providing currency
denomination information to the sight-impaired is to develop
hand-held, elec-tronic currency readers.
IV-2 Based upon limited information, it would appear that
the most broadly useful currency design change would be to
produce Federal Reserve notes in a different size for each
denomination. However, the effects of such a change or broad
and diverse segments of the population would be monumental.
IV-3 Costs for making currency design changes range from
$640,000 to $6,670,000 per year in addition to initial c o s t s .
Depending upon the design, as many as 150 additional Fu l l -
Time (personnel) Equivalents would be required by BEP to
produce modified currency.
IV-4 Changes to currency design and issuance of new currency
will have a significant impact on the public and private
sectors, especially on currency handling and processing
equipment such as change machines.
G. Recommendation.
Pursue the development of and seek funding for a hand-
held electronic reader to denominate currency.
17
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V. SUMMARY
Features which are selected for incorporation in
currency to assist the jsight handicapped should be of u t i -
lity to the widest segment of the population possible, have
minimal impact on Bureau of Engraving and Printing produc-
tion and public circulation, and be cost-effective. The
BEP analysis indicates that there are a number of poten-
tially useful design features which will assist various
groups of the sight impaired• These include incorporation
of visual cues for the partly sighted and tactile mecha-
nisms for the blind. The potential also exists for deve-
loping low cost electronic units which will "read" the
denomination of currency through the recognition of already
existing intaglio d e s i g n s . These devices will produce
audible signals and would therefore be useful to almost all
of the visually impaired. The only currency design feature
which is generally as useful to the entire target popula-
tion as an electronic reader is currency which is sized by
denomination.
There are several considerations which indicate that
caution should be used in recommending any changes to the
design of currency. The cost of the modifications which the
Bureau reviewed range from $640,000 to $6,670,000 per year,
in addition to one-time implementation costs of up to
$25,630,000. These expenditures, however, represent only a
portion of the true cost. The currency handling system
comprises many segments, including retailers, b a n k s , and pri-
vate citizens. The industrial sector is also involved in
currency changes as a result of capital expenditure and tech-
nological research to develop and manufacture cash registers,
coin changers, automated teller machines, etc. These are
also policy implecations related to a
fl
new
lf
currency.
Currency is a tangible representation of the strength of
Governmental institutions and the U. S. economy. Major
changes or logistical problems associated with the distribu-
tion of bank notes may, at the worst, lead to some loss of
public confidence or even temporary hoarding.
Applicability of currency design modifications to the
sight impaired population is also a complex question.
Experience of the European nations which produce bank notes
with features specifically included to assist the blind is
rather limited. Tactile mechanisms such as braille-like
18
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
symbols meet the requirements of only a portion of the
target group and are limited in terms of note durability.
Colors would assist the partially sighted but not the
blind* Electronic currency readers are now available but a
commercial, low cost, easily portable version has not yet
been developed.
19
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Fi g u r e 1.
An Ou t l i n e of Me c h a n i s m s for t h e De n o m i n a t i o n o f Cu r r e n c y
by the Bl i n d or Vi s u a l l y Im p a i r e d *
1. Vi s u a l
A. Br i g h t c l e a r c o l o r s of d i f f e r e n t h u e s
(1 ) In t a g l i o inks
(2) Of f s e t b a c k g r o u n d t i n t s
(3 ) Su b s t r a t e
B. La r g e , d i s t i n c t , s i m p l e (s a n s e r i f ) n u m e r a l s for
c o u n t e r s
II. Ta c t i l e
A. Su b s t r a t e (p a p e r ) m o d i f i c a t i o n s
(1 ) Di f f e r e n t s i ze s (d i m e n s i o n s )
(2 ) No t c h e d e d g e s , c l i p p e d c o r n e r s , or p e r f o r a t i o n s
(3 ) Em b o s s e d b r a i l l e or b r a i l l e - l i k e s y m b o l s
B. Im a g e m o d i f i c a t i o n s
(1) In t a g l i o - p r i n t e d b r a i l l e - l i k e s y m b o l s
(2) Ho t - m e l t (or s i m i l a r ) a p p l i e d b r a i l l e - l i k e s y m b o l s
III. Au r a l (El e c t r o n i c )
A. Image r e c o g n i t i o n of e x i s t i n g d e s i g n s
B. In s t r u m e n t a l r e c o g n i t i o n o f d i f f e r e n t c o l o r s
C. Re c o g n i t i o n of p r i n t e d b a r c o d e s or g r i d s , or c o d e d
p e r f o r a t i o n s
D. Re c o g n i t i o n of t h r e a d (s ) of s p e c i f i c c o m p o s i t i o n ,
s h a p e a n d /o r l o c a t i o n e m b e d d e d in s u b s t r a t e
Digitized for FRASER
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Figure 2
Analysis of Proposed Changes t o U. S. Currency en Bureau Operations
Increases in
Opbicn
1. Ifee of intaglio iri<s
indifferent ookrs
2 . Intaglio inks remain
inchangsd, offset
ti nts would be
utilized
3* Changs in siae of note
fcy denendnatien
4 . Notches cr clipped 3
OCTTErS
5. tfee of braille or
braille-like symbols
Aid
Visually Aid
Bqalred Blind
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Ifo
Ifo
Increase
In Ini ti al
Cost
2,200,000 23
12,000,000
Increase i n
Annual Costs
$ 640,000 23
1,280,000
3,
1
l6O,OOO 23
9,327,000
Man
Cost ]
$
jfacturdng
jet*-ujjusatu
Notes
.13 - 3 0 23
.69 -1.86 23
Increase
i n FES 13
16
16-72 23
Increase in
Space
(square Feet)
12,000
Yes 25,630,000 6,670,000
Yes 2,600,000 1 ,l«X),000
ScnEwhat Sanewhat 8,100,000 3,050,000
1.33
.28
.61
150
29
100
36,000
100
148,000
1J FIE = Equivalent to FuLL-time Ehployee
2] The rangs of estimates represents the oosts associated with, inocrporation of various levels of counterfeit deterrence features
througi note eolcratien in oenjunctien vdth denendnatien infomaticn. The lower estimate i s for currency for the si gi t impaired
only.
33 An estimate of $.15/1,000 notes the fi rst year of the program and $.02/1.000 notes each year there after was developed ty BEP
i n I960, fcased upon extrapolations of technology available at the time. The cost of $.28/1000 i s based upon current, validated
information.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
APPENDIX 1
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
De n o m i n a t i o n o f Cu r r e n c y b y t h e Bl i n d o r Vi s u a l l y Im p a i r e d
Co u n t r y : c u r r e n c y (a b b r .)
De n o m i n a t i o n (d a t e )
Al g e r i a : d i n a r (DA)
1 0 <
5 0 I
1 00 1
1964
1 96 4 )
[1964)
Ar g e n t i n a : peso ($)
1
5
10
50
100
500
1,000
5,000
1 0, 000
5 0, 000
1 00, 000
5 00, 000
1,000,000
Au s t r a l i a : d o l l a r ($)
1 (1 973 )
2 (1 973 )
5 (1 973 )
10 (1 973 )
2 0 (1 973 )
5 0 (1 973 )
Au s t r i a : s c h i l l i n g (S)
2 0 (1 96 7)
5 0 (1 970)
100 (1 96 9)
5 00 (1 96 5 )
1,000 (1 96 6 )
Lgth.
X
(mm)
182
206
220
155
155
155
155
155
155
155
155
155
155
155
155
155
140
146
150
154
160
165
132
140
150
154
159
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Dimensions
Ht.
93
106
112
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
70
73
75
77
80
83
6 5
70
75
80
84
As p e c t
Ratio
1.96
1.94
1.96
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
1.99
2.03
2 .00
2.00
1.92
1.89
Ar e a
(c m 2 )
169
218
246
116
116
116
116
116
116
116
116
116
116
116
116
116
98
107
112
119
128
137
86
98
112
123
134
Overall Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
p a l e r o s e , v i o l e t
p a l e o r a n g e , y e l l o w
p a l e b l u e , o r a n g e
bright b r o wn i s h - o r a n g e
m e d i u m g r e e n i s h - b l u e
m e d i u m p u r p l e
g r a y i s h brown
m e d i u m b u r g u n d y
m e d i u m y e l l o w- g r e e n
g o l d e n brown
bright c l e a r b l u e
bright o r a n g e
dull b r o wn i s h - v i o l e t
black
b r o wn , g r e e n
d a r k b l u e , rose
m e d i u m b r o wn , o r a n g e
c l e a r green
p u r p l e , r o s e
c l e a r t u r qu o i s e
bright o r a n g e
m e d i u m y e l l o w, green
Co l o r s f a i r l y d u l l , m u t e d :
m e d i u m brown
v i o l e t
m e d i u m o l i v e
r o s e - b r o wn
m e d i u m b l u e - g r e e n
In t a g l i o Pr i n t i n g : Br a i l l e - l i k e
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e Symbols
no i n t a g l i o
no i n t a g l i o
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; overall
d e s i g n s i m i l a r , all d e n o m -
i n a t i o n s ; c o u n t e r d e s i g n
and p l a c e m e n t s i m i l a r : $1 ,
5 , 1 0, 5 0, 1 00, 5 00, and
1 , 000; c o u n t e r d e s i g n and
p l a c e m e n t s i m i l a r : $5 , 000,
1 0, 000, and 5 0, 000;
d i s t i n c t i v e c o u n t e r s :
$1 00, 000, 5 00, 000, and
1,000,000
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; i n t a g l i o
c o u n t e r s o f u p p e r left
o b v e r s e (ULO) and l o we r
right r e v e r s e (LRR) a r e
qu i t e d i s t i n c t
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
Digitized for FRASER
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Denomination of Cu r r e n c y by the Blind or Vi s u a l l y Impaired
Co u n t r y : c u r r e n c y (a b b r .)
De n o m i n a t i o n (d a t e )
Ba h a m a s : d o l l a r ($)
h (1 96 8)
1 (1 96 8)
3 (1 96 8)
5 1 96 8)
10 (1 96 8)
2 0 (1 96 8)
5 0 (1 96 8)
100 (1 96 8)
Ba r b a d o s : d o l l a r ($)
1
2
5
10
20
100
Be l g i u m : f r a n c /f r a n k (F)
100 (1 978)
5 00 (1 979)
1,000 (1 980)
5 , 000 (1 982 )
Br a zi l : c r u zi e r o (Cr $)
100
200
500
1,000 (1 978)
5,000
Bu r m a : kyat
1
5
10
K )
1 973 )
1 973 )
.1973)
25 (1 972 )
50 (1 979)
inn (1 976 )
Lg t h . X
(mm)
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
150
150
150
150
150
150
140
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Dimensions
Ht .
6 7
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
65
65
65
65
65
65
76
As p e c t
Ratio
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.31
2.31
2.31
2.31
2.31
2.31
1.84
Area
(c m ?)
105
105
105
105
105
105
105
105
98
98
98
98
98
98
106
(specimen not a v a i l a b l e )
(specimen not a v a i l a b l e )
160
154
154
154
154
154
125
135
145
155
165
175
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
76
74
74
74
74
74
60
70
80
90
100
110
2.11
2.08
2.08
2.08
2.08
2.08
2.08
1.93
1.81
1.72
1.65
1.59
122
114
114
114
114
114
75
94
116
140
165
192
Overall Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
m e d i u m b r o wn i s h - v i o l e t
bright green -
bright red
bright o r a n g e
b l u i s h - g r a y
m e d i u m brown
o r a n g e - b r o wn
bright c l e a r b l u e
red
bright blue
m e d i u m green
m e d i u m brown
violet
b l u e - g r a y
m e d i u m b u r g u n d y
m e d i u m b l u i s h - g r e e n
v i o l e t , burgundy
b l u e - g r e e n , dull v i o l e t
dark b l u e , v i o l e t - b r o wn
o l i v e , rich brown
d k . b r o wn i s h - v i o l e t , brown
Co l o r s fairly m u t e d :
b l u e - g r e e n , o l i v e
b l u e - v i o l e t
red-violet
o r a n g e - b r o wn
b r o wn , v i o l e t , g r e e n
b l u e - g r e e n
In t a g l i o Pr i n t i n g : Br a i l l e - l i k e
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e Sy m b o l s
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
LRO:
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all • • • •
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d i s t i n c t
c o u n t e r s
o
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
s i m i l a r , all d e n o m i n a t i o n s :
rotational symmetry o f all
d e s i g n e l e m e n t s
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d i s t i n c t
c o u n t e r s
Digitized for FRASER
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Denomination o f Cu r r e n c y by the Blind or Vi s u a l l y Impaired
Dimensions
Co u n t r y : c u r r e n c y (a b b r .)
De n o m i n a t i o n (d a t e )
Ca n a d a : d o l l a r ($)
1 (1 973 )
2 (1 974 )
5 (1 979)
10 (1 971 )
2 0 (1 979)
50 (1 975 )
100 (1 975 )
Ca y m a n Is l a n d s : d o l l a r ($)
1 (1 971 )
5 (1 971 )
10 (1 971 )
25 (1 971 )
Ce y l o n (Sri La n k a ): r u p e e
5 (1 982 )
10 (1 982 )
2 0 (1 982 )
50 1 982 )
100 (1 982 )
500 (1 981 )
1,000 (1 981 )
Ch i l e : peso
5 (1 975 )
10 (1 975 )
50 (1 975 )
100 (1 976 )
5 00 (1 977)
1,000 (1 978)
5,000 (1 981 )
Lg t h . X
(mm)
154
154
154
154
154
154
154
156
156
156
156
(R)
117
127
136
146
156
165
175
145
145
145
145
145
145
145
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ht .
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
66
66
66
66
63
66
70
73
76
60
83
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
As p e c t
Ratio
2.20
2.20
2.20
2.20
2.20
2.20
2.20
2.36
2.36
2.36
2.36
1.86
1.92
1.94
2.00
2.05
2.06
2.11
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
2.07
Ar e a
(c m 2 )
108
108
108
108
108
108
108
103
103
103
103
74
84
95
107
117
132
145
102
102
102
102
102
102
102
Overall Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
b l u e - g r e e n , black
brownish-red
c l e a r b l u e
c l e a r violet
o l i v e
bright orange-red
m e d i u m brown
Co l o r s qu i t e d i s t i n c t :
m e d i u m blue
m e d i u m g r e e n
m e d i u m red
m e d i u m b r o wn
m e d i u m o r a n g e - p i n k
o l i v e
p u r p l e
m e d i u m b l u e
b r i g h t o r a n g e
v i o l e t - b r o wn
m e d i u m green
Co l o r s c l e a r , s o f t :
green
o r a n g e - r e d
c l e a r blue
c l e a r violet
soft r o s e - b r o wn
clear b l u e - g r e e n
o r a n g e - r e d
In t a g l i o Pr i n t i n g :
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
v er y s i m i l a r , e s p e c i a l l y
$1 , 2 , and 2 0
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
no i n t a g l i o
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
no i n t a g l i o
no i n t a g l i o
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
Br a i l l e - l i k e
Symbols
R0 (v e r t i c a l )
H
BSX 3 Bf i a
n i n m m
Digitized for FRASER
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Denomination o f Cu r r e n c y by the Blind o r Vi s u a l l y Impaired
Dimensions
Co u n t r y : c u r r e n c y Ca b b r .)
De n o m i n a t i o n (d a t e )
Co s t a Ri c a : c o l o n (C)
5
10
20
50
100
500
1,000
Cy p r u s : pound (& )/m i l s
2 5 0 m i l s (1 96 6 )
5 00 m i l s (1 96 6 )
81 (1 96 6 )
&5 (1 96 6 )
De n m a r k : k r o n e (K r )
2 0 (1 972 )
5 0 (1 972 )
100 (1 972 )
5 00 (1 972 )
1,000 (1 972 )
En g l a n d (UK ): pound (& )
5
10
20
50
Fi ji : d o l l a r ($)
1
2
5
10
20
Lg t h . X
(mm)
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
126
141
150
166
125
140
150
164
176
141
152
161
169
156
156
156
156
156
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ht.
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
73
83
89
96
72
72
78
85
93
78
85
90
95
67
67
67
67
67
Aspect
Ratio
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
1.73
1.70
1.69
1.73
1.74
1.94
1.92
1.93
1.89
1.81
1.79
1.79
1.78
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
Ar e a
(c m 2 )
105
105
105
105
105
105
105
92
117
134
159
90
101
117
139
164
110
129
145
161
105
105
105
105
105
Overall Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
m e d i u m green
m e d i u m b l u e
m e d i u m b r o wn
o l i v e
g r a y - b l a c k
v i o l e t
b r i c k - r e d
Co l o r s d i s t i n c t :
d a r k b l u e
m e d i u m green
m e d i u m b r o wn
b r i g h t c l e a r b l u e
Co l o r s very m u t e d :
soft b r o wn , gray
soft g r e e n i s h - b l u e
soft r o s e , gray
soft green
soft b r o wn , g r a y
d a r k b l a c k i s h - b l u e
m e d i u m b r o wn
violet
o l i v e - b r o wn
m e d i u m b r o wn
c l e a r g r e e n
b r o wn i s h - o r a n g e
violet
c l e a r b l u e
In t a g l i o Pr i n t i n g :
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
f a i r l y s i m i l a r , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
Br a i l l e - l i k e
Symbols
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
Central c o u n t e r s (0);
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
v er y s i m i l a r , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
De s i g n s a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l ;
no i n t a g l i o
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Denomination of Cu r r e n c y by the Blind o r Vi s u a l l y Impaired
Di m e n s i o n s
Co u n t r y : c u r r e n c y (a b b r .)
De n o m i n a t i o n (d a t e )
Fi n l a n d :
Fr a n c e :
m a r k k a (M)
1
5
10
50
1 96 3 )
1963 Li t t . B)
1 980)
1 977)
100 (1 976 )
5 00 (1 975 )
franc (F)
10 (1 972 )
2 0 (1 980)
5 0 (1 976 )
100 (1 978)
2 00 (1 981 )
5 00 (1 96 8)
W. G e r m a n y : d e u t s c h e m a r k
1
G r e e c e :
1
G u y a n a :
5 (1 96 0)
10 (1 96 0)
2 0 (I96 0)
5 0 (1 970)
100 (1 96 0)
5 00 (1 96 0)
,000 (I96 0)
d r a c h m a (Dr )
50
100
500
1 978)
1 978)
1 96 8)
,000 (1 970)
d o l l a r ($)
1
5
10
2 0
Lg t h . X
(mm)
142
142
142
142
142
142
141
140
150
160
173
181
(DM)
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
143
158
158
158
155
155
155
155
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ht.
69
69
69
69
69
69
76
75
80
85
92
97
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
64
67
74
81
65
65
65
65
Aspect
Ratio
2.06
2.06
2.06
2.06
2.06
2.06
1.86
1.87
1.88
1.88
1.88
1.87
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.23
2.36
2.14
1.95
2.38
2.38
2.38
2.38
Ar e a
(c m 2 )
98
98
98
98
98
98
107
105
120
136
159
176
72
84
98
112
128
144
162
92
106
117
128
101
101
101
101
Ov e r a l l Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
y e l l o wi s h - b r o wn
bright c l e a r blue
g r e e n , o r a n g e
b r o wn , violet
v i o l e t , light b l u e
brownish blue
strong o r a n g e - b r o wn
m e d i u m v i o l e t , y e l l o w
m e d i u m b l u e - b l a c k
m e d i u m brown
y e l 1 o w- b r o wn , b l u e - g r e e n
o r a n g e - t a n , black
olive
b l u e - v i o l e t
g r a y - g r e e n
m e d i u m brown
blue-black
r e d d i s h - b r o wn
o l i v e - b r o wn
Co l o r s soft but d i s t i n c t :
c l e a r m e d i u m b l u e
brick red, o r a n g e
o l i v e
m e d i u m brown
m e d i u m red
m e d i u m green
m e d i u m brown
v i o l e t - b l a c k
In t a g l i o Pr i n t i n g : Br a i l l e - l i k e
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e Symbols
no i n t a g l i o
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e only
o b v e r s e only
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
no In t a g l i o
n o In t a g l i o
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y • • • (LLO)
o b v e r s e o n l y |S (LLO)
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
a l m o s t Id e n t i c a l , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Denomination of Cu r r e n c y by the Blind or Vi s u a l l y Impaired
Co u n t r y : c u r r e n c y (a b b r .)
Denomination (d a t e )
Hu n g a r y : forint (F)
2 0 (1 975 )
50 (1 975 )
100 (1 975 )
5 00 (1 975 )
Ireland: pound (& )
1
5
10
1 977)
1 976 )
1 978)
20 (1 980)
5 0 (1 982 )
Is r a e l : pound (1 8)
5 (1 973 )
10
50
1 973 )
1 973 )
100 (1 973 )
500 (1973)
Is r a e l : sheqel (IS)
5 (1 978)
100 (1979)
5 00 (1 982 )
Italy: lira (L)
1,000 (1982)
2,000 (1 973 )
10,000 (1 976 )
2 0, 000 (1 974 )
5 0, 000 (1 977)
100,000 (1978)
Lg t h . X
(mm)
166
166
166
176
148
156
164
172
180
128
135
141
147
153
141
159
138
112
132
133
161
148
156
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Di m e n s i o n s
Ht.
73
73
73
81
78
82
86
90
94
76
76
76
76
76
76
76
76
61
65
70
79
70
70
As p e c t
Ra t i o
2.27
2.27
2.27
2.17
1.90
1.90
1.91
1.91
1.91
1.68
1.78
1.86
1.93
2.01
1.86
2.09
1.82
1.84
2.03
1.90
2.04
2.11
2.23
Area
(c m 2 )
121
121
121
143
115
128
141
155
169
97
103
107
112
116
107
121
105
68
86
93
127
104
109
Overall Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
Co l o r s d u l l , m u t e d :
dark blue
m e d i u m brown
b r o wn i s h - p u r p l e
violet
o l i v e
m e d i u m b r o wn , peach
v i o l e t , pink
clear m e d i u m blue
reddish-brown
Distinct c o l o r combination;
dark brown on peach
dark violet on lilac
dark green on light green
dark b l u e on light b l u e
black on light y e l l o w
dark green on light green
medium o r a n g e - b r o wn
dark red
Intaglio Pr i n t i n g : Br a i l l e - l i k e
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e Symbols
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
Di s t i n c t c o u n t e r s (0);
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e ana r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
>: LLO:
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all • # •
d e n o m i n a t i o n s # #

Di s t i n c t i v e c o u n t e r s ;
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all • (LLO)
d e n o m i n a t i o n s : = (LLO)
Pi (MRO)
Co l o r s b r o wn , d u l l , i n d i s t i n c t :
pale r o s e - b r o wn , green
m e d i u m b r o wn , peach
b l u e - g r e e n , black
m e d i u m brown
b r o wn i s h - r e d , b l u e , green
b r o wn i s h - r e d , b l u e
no intaglio
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Denomination o f Cu r r e n c y by the Blind o r Vi s u a l l y Impaired
Co u n t r y : c u r r e n c y (a b b r .)
De n o m i n a t i o n (d a t e )
Ja m a i c a : d o l l a r ($)
1 (1 96 0
2 (I96 0)
5 (1 96 0)
1 0 (1 978)
2 0 (1 978)
Ja p a n : y e n (Y)
500
1,000
5 , 000
1 0, 000
Jo r d a n : d i n a r (JD)
h (1 975 )
1 (1 975 )
5 (1 975 )
10 (1 975 )
Korea (Se o u l ): wo n (W)
500 (1 973 )
1,000 (1 975 )
5,000 (1 977)
1 0, 000 (1 979)
Li b y a : d i n a r (D)
h
h
1
5
10
Lu x e m b o u r g : f r a n c /f r a n g
2 0 (1 96 6 )
5 0 (1 972 )
100 (1 970)
Ne w s e r i e s :
100 (1 980)
Dimensions
Lg t h . x Ht.
(mm)
144 x 6 4
147 x 6 8
150 x 70
152 x 72
156 x 76
159 x 72
164 x 76
169 x 80
174 x 84
136 x 6 8
144 x 72
152 x 76
160 x 80
159 x 69
163 x 73
167 x 77
171 x 81
142 x 71
152 x 76
162 x 81
172 x 86
180 x 91
(F)
130 x 70
136 x 73
142 x 76
142 x 76
Aspect
Ratio
2.25
2.16
2.14
2.11
2.05
2.21
2.16
2.11
2.07
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.30
2.23
2.17
2.11
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
1.98
1.86
1.86
1.87
1.87
Ar e a
(c m 2 )
92
100
105
109
119
114
125
135
146
92
104
116
128
110
119
129
139
101
116
131
148
164
91
99
108
108
Overall Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
v i o l e t , tan
d a r k g r e e n , tan
m e d i u m b r o wn , tan
c l e a r v i o l e t - b l u e
o r a n g e - r e d , b r o wn , p u r p l e
Co l o r s v er y m u t e d , s i m i l a r :
d a r k b l u e , tan
o l i v e , b r o wn , tan
b l u e - g r e e n , b l a c k , tan
g r e e n , b r o wn , tan
m e d i u m b r o wn , peach
m e d i u m g r e e n , tan
d a r k r e d , peach
b l u e - v i o l e t , tan
soft g r e e n , b l u e
soft p u r p l e , v i o l e t
soft b r o wn , o r a n g e
soft o l i v e
In t a g l i o Pr i n t i n g :
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s

o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
t
all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
G r e e n i n t a g l i o , all d e n o m i n a t i o n s :
m e d i u m g r e e n , pink
m e d i u m g r e e n , p e a c h
m e d i u m green
m e d i u m g r e e n , sky b l u e
m e d i u m g r e e n , p i n k
d a r k b l u e
dark b r o wn i s h - b l a c k
m e d i u m red
m e d i u m red
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
Br a i l l e - l i k e
Symbols
LRO:
• • • •
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Denomination o f Cu r r e n c y by the Blind o r Vi s u a l l y Impaired
Dimensions
Co u n t r y : c u r r e n c y (a b b r .)
De n o m i n a t i o n (d a t e )
Ma l t a : pound (8M)
1 (1 96 7)
5 (1 96 7)
10 (1 96 7)
Me x i c o : p e s o ($)
2 0 (1 972 )
5 0 (1 973 )
100 (1 974 )
5 00 (1 979)
1,000 (1 978)
5,000 (1 980)
1 0, 000 (1 981 )
Ne t h e r l a n d s : g u l d e n (G )
5 (1 973 )
10 (1 96 8)
2 5 (1 971 )
50 (1 982 )
100 (1 977)
1,000 (1 972 )
Ne w Z e a l a n d : d o l l a r ($)
1
2
5
10
20
100
Lg t h . X
(mm)
137
145
152
155
155
155
155
155
155
155
136
142
148
148
154
160
140
145
150
155
160
160
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ht
69
75
80
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
76
76
76
76
76
76
70
72 .
75
77.
80
80
. As p e c t
Ratio
1.99
1.93
1.90
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35
1.79
1.87
1.95
1.95
2.03
2.11
2.00
5 2.00
2.00
5 2.00
2.00
2.00
Ar e a
(cm?;
95
109
122
102
102
102
102
102
102
102
103
108
112
112
117
122
98
105
112
120
128
128
Overall Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
Overall e f f e c t s i m i l a r :
m e d . b r o wn , g r a y , peach
v i o l e t , g r a y , pink
g r a y , p u r p l e - r e d , peach
m e d i u m red
b r i g h t m e d i u m b l u e
bright violet
o l i v e , brown
b r o wn on peach
b l u e and red on sky b l u e
d a r k b l u e on c h a r t r e u s e
Co l o r s d i s t i n c t :
b r i g h t , c l e a r g r e e n
b r i g h t , c l e a r b l u e
c l e a r red
bright o r a n g e and y e l l o w
m e d i u m brown
m e d i u m b l u i s h - g r e e n
In t a g l i o Pr i n t i n g :
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
Br a i l l e - l i k e
Symbols
Di s t i n c t c o u n t e r s (0);
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
LLO:
V
Co l o r s b r i g h t , c l e a r , d i s t i n c t :
b r o wn o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
c l e a r v i o l e t d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
bright o r a n g e a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l , all
c l e a r blue d e n o m i n a t i o n s
m e d i u m green
b r i g h t c r i m s o n
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Denomination of Cu r r e n c y by the Blind or Vi s u a l l y Impaired
Dimensions
Co u n t r y : c u r r e n c y (a b b r .)
De n o m i n a t i o n (d a t e )
Ni c a r a g u a : c o r d o b a (C$)
1 (1 96 8)
2 (1 972 )
5 (1 972 )
10 (1 979)
20 (1 979)
5 0 (1 979)
100 (1 979)
5 00 (1 979)
1,000 (1 979)
Lg t h . X
(mm)
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
Ni g e r i a : pound (S)/s h i l l i n g (s )
5 s (1 96 5 )
10 s (1 96 5 )
SI (1 96 5 )
S5 (1 96 5 )
No r wa y : krone (K r )
10 (1 974 )
5 0 (1 974 )
100 1 96 3 )
5 00 (1 978)
1,000 (1 975 )
New s e r i e s :
100 (1 977)
Om a n : rial (R)/baisa
100 baisa
R h
R h
R 1
R 5
RIO
R20
127
138
152
157
125
145
145
170
170
144
120
128
136
145
154
164
175
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ht.
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
73
77
84
90
65
73
78
90
90
78
62
67
72
78
78
78
78
Aspect
Ratio
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
2.33
1.74
1.79
1.81
1.74
1.92
1.99
1.86
1.89
1.89
1.85
1.94
1.91
1.89
1.86
1.97
2.10
2.24
Area
(c m ?)
105
105
105
105
105
105
105
105
105
93
106
128
141
81
106
113
153
153
112
74
86
98
113
120
128
137
Overall Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
m e d i u m b l u e
o l i v e
m e d i u m green
red
o c h r e
violet
b l a c k i s h - b r o wn
o l i v e
m e d i u m blue
r e d d i s h - v i o l e t
m e d i u m green
m e d i u m red
dark b l u e
m e d i u m b l u e
m e d i u m green
b u r g u n d y
y e l l o wi s h - g r e e n
r e d d i s h - b r o wn , violet
b u r g u n d y on peach
Co l o r s d i s t i n c t :
o c h r e
blue
green
red
p u r p l e
p u r p l i s h - b r o wn
b l a c k i s h - b l u e
In t a g l i o Pr i n t i n g :
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
no intaglio
no intaglio
no intaglio
no intaglio
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
y er y s i m i l a r , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e o n l y ; d o m i n a n t
c o u n t e r
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
Br a i l l e - l i k e
Symbols
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Denomination o f Cu r r e n c y by the Blind or Vi s u a l l y Impaired
Dimensions
Co u n t r y : c u r r e n c y (a b b r .)
De n o m i n a t i o n (d a t e )
Papua Ne w G u i n e a : kina
2
5
10
20
Po r t u g a l : e s c u d o ($)
20 (1 978)
50 1 96 8)
100 (1 980)
5 00 (1 979)
1,000 (1 96 8)
5,000 (1 980)
Q a t a r : riyal
1 (1 982 )
5 (1 982 )
10 (1 982 )
50 (1 982 )
1 00 (1 982 )
5 00 (1 982 )
Ru s s i a (USSR): r o u b l e (R)
1 1 96 1 )
3 (1 96 1 )
5 (1 96 1 )
10 (1 96 1 )
25 (1 96 1 )
50 (1 96 1 )
100 (1 96 1 )
So l o m o n Is l a n d s : d o l l a r ($)
2 (1 977)
5 (1 977)
10 (1 977)
Lgth., X
(mm)
140
145
150
150
134
142
150
156
164
170
134
140
146
152
158
163
105
114
114
122
122
140
140
140
145
150
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ht.
70
72.5
75
75
66
70
74
78
82
75
66
67
69
71
72
74
53
57
57
61
61
70
70
70
75
80
As p e c t
Ratio
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.03
2.03
2.03
2.00
2.00
2.27
2.03
2.09
2.12
2.14
2.19
2.20
1.98
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
1.93
1.88
Area
(e n *)
98
105
112
112
88
99
111
122
134
128
88
94
101
108
114
121
56
65
65
74
74
98
98
98
109
120
Overall Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
m e d i u m green
purple
blue
o r a n g e - b r o wn
m e d i u m g r e e n
m e d i u m b r o wn
c l e a r blue
r e d d i s h - b r o wn
b l u e - g r e e n
o l i v e , brown
Co l o r s s o f t , m u t e d :
golden b r o wn , m e d . brown
b u r g u n d y , violet
y e l l o w, green
b l u e , b l u e - b l a c k
o l i v e , brown
b l u e - g r e e n , violet
m e d i u m b r o wn
m e d i u m g r e e n
blue
brick red
violet
m e d i u m green
m e d i u m b r o wn
Co l o r s d i s t i n c t :
m e d i u m green
m e d i u m b l u e
violet-red
In t a g l i o Pr i n t i n g : Br a i l l e - l i k e
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e Sy m b o l s
Si m i l a r d e s i g n s ; d i s t i n c t c o u n t e r s ;
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
De s i g n s v e r y s i m i l a r ;
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s n e a r l y
i d e n t i c a l , all d e n o m i n a t i o n s
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Denomination of Cu r r e n c y by the Blind or Vi s u a l l y Impaired
Dimensions
Co u n t r y : c u r r e n c y (a b b r .
De n o m i n a t i o n (d a t e )
Swe d e n : krona (K r )
5 (1 96 5 )
10 (1 96 3 )
50 1 96 5 )
100 (1 96 5 )
1,000 (1 976 )
Swi t ze r l a n d : f r a n k /f r a n c
10 (1 979)
2 0 (1 979)
50 (1 978)
100 (1 976 )
5 00 (1 977)
1,000 (1 978)
Th a i l a n d : baht (B)
5 (1 96 9)
10 (1 980)
20 (1 981 )
100 1 978)
5 00 (1 975 )
) Lgth., X
(mm)
110
120
130
140
180
(F)
137
148
159
170
181
192
130
132
138
154
160
Tr i n i d a d and To b a g o : d o l l a r ($)
1 (1 96 4 )
5 (1 96 4 )
10 (1 96 4 )
20 (1 96 4 )
100 (1 96 4 )
156
156
156
156
156
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ht .
68
68
82
82
82
66
70
74
78
82
86
67.5
69
72
80
82 .5
66
66
66
66
66
As p e c t
Ratio
1.62
1.76
1.59
1.71
2.20
2.08
2.11
2.15
2.18
2.21
2.23
1.93
1.91
1.92
1.92
1.94
2.36
2.36
2.36
2.36
2.36
Ar e a
(c m 2 )
75
82
107
115
148
90
104
118
133
148
165
88
91
99
123
132
103
103
103
103
103
Overall Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
violet on yello.w
g r e e n on p a l e b l u e
m e d i u m b l u e on y e l l o w
brownish-red on p a l e b l u e
m e d . brown o n v i o l e t - wh i t e
Co l o r s d i s t i n c t :
m e d i u m b r o wn i s h - r e d
m e d i u m g r e e n i s h - b l u e
m e d i u m green
d a r k v i o l e t - b l u e
m e d i u m brown
violet
violet
soft b l a c k i s h - b r o wn
m e d i u m green
b u r g u n d y on peach
v i o l e t on l a v e n d e r
Co l o r s d i s t i n c t :
c l e a r red
c l e a r green
black
v i o l e t
bright c l e a r b l u e
In t a g l i o Pr i n t i n g :
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e
Di s t i n c t c o u n t e r s (0);
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
Br a i l l e - l i k e
Symbols
ULO:

• •
• • •
1 1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
D enomination of Currency by the Blind or Visually Impaired
Country: currency*(abbr.)
D enomination (date)
T urkey: turk l i r a (T L)
D imensions
10
2 0
5 0
1 00
5 00
1970)
1 970)
1 970)
1 970)
1 970)
1 970)
Lgth. x Ht. Aspect Area
(mm) Ratio (cm2i
Ye m e n : Hal
1
5
(R)
(1 973 )
(1 973 )
10 (1 973 )
2 0 1 973 )
5 0 (1 973 )
Overall Co l o r (s ):
Sa t u r a t i o n , Hu e (s )
Intaglio Pr i n t i n g :
Ob v e r s e , Re v e r s e
1,000 (1 970)
5,000 (1 970)
United St a t e s : d o l l a r ($)
1
2
5
10
2 0
5 0
100
Viet Nam (Sa i g o n ): dong (D)
5 0 (1 972 )
100 (1 972 )
2 00 (1 972 )
5 00 (1 972 )
1,000 (1 972 )
135
121
142
160
168
170
170
140
156
156
156
156
156
156
156
142
146
146
152
152
120
130
135
145
150
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
6 0
55
65
72.5
77
80
82.5
72
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
71
73
73
76
76
65
68
71
73
75
2.25
2.20
2.18
2.21
2.18
2.12
2.01
1.94
2.36
2.36
2.36
2.36
2.36
2.36
2.36
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
1.85
1.91
1.90
1.99
2.00
81
67
92
116
129
136
1 4 0
101
103
103
103
103
103
103
103
101
107
107
116
116
78
88
96
106
112
Colors m u t e d :
v i o l e t , tan
o l i v e
reddish-brown
gray
grayish green
blue-green
v1olet-blue« burgundy
violet-brown
black o b v e r s e , green
r e v e r s e , all
denominations
blue-green, light b l u e
medium g r e e n , light green
purplish-red, greenish-tan
o r a n g e , tan
medium b l u e , tan
green
red
blue
violet
olive-brown
o b v e r s e o n l y
no intaglio
o b v e r s e o n l y
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s ; d e s i g n s
v er y s i m i l a r , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
De s i g n s v e r y s i m i l a r ;
o b v e r s e only
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e and r e v e r s e
o b v e r s e o n l y , all
d e n o m i n a t i o n s
Braille-like
Symbols
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
APPENDIX 2
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
D £ NED ER LA ND SCHEBA NK N.V.
POSTBUS98 - 1OOOA B A MST ER D A M
ONDCRDIRECTEUR
MM. J. R . ST EINHA USER
Am s t e r d a m , Ma r c h 3 1 , 1 983 .
v U"
Mr . Ro b e r t J. Le u v e r
Di r e c t o r
Bu r e a u o f En g r a v i n g a n d Pr i n t i n g
U.S. De p a r t m e n t o f t h e Tr e a s u r y
1 4 t h & C St r e e t s , S.W.
Wa s h i n g t o n , D.C. 2 02 2 8
De a r Mr . Le u v e r ,
Ba c k at m y d e s k f r o m m y v i s i t to t h e Un i t e d St a t e s , I wa n t t o
t h a n k y o u v e r y m u c h i n d e e d f o r y o u r h o s p i t a l i t y on Ma r c h 2 4 ,
1 983 , at t h e Bu r e a u o f En g r a v i n g a n d Pr i n t i n g . I f o u n d t h e
t o u r t h r o u g h t h e p r i n t i n g wo r k s v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g and I wa s
v e r y m u c h i m p r e s s e d by t h e l a b o r a t o r i u m .
I e n c l o s e h e r e wi t h a n o t e we s e n t t o t h e Ba n k of Ca n a d a o n
t h e i n t a g l i o m a r k s f o r t h e b l i n d a s I p r o m i s e d . I a l s o
e n c l o s e a n o t e o f Dr . K o e ze o n t h e l i f e - l e n g t h of b a n k n o t e s .
An o t h e r t r i a l is s t i l l o n i t s wa y c o n c e r n i n g the l i f e - l e n g t h
o f b a n k n o t e s wi t h r e g a r d t o t h e m a c h i n e d i r e c t i o n in t h e
p a p e r m i l l . I s p o k e a b o u t t h e s e t r i a l s wi t h Mr . Se i d e l and Mr .
G r a m i n s k i . As s o o n a s t h e r e p o r t o n t h e t r i a l is t h e r e , I
wi l l s e n d it t o t h e m .
Wo u l d y o u p l e a s e b e s o k i n d a s to p a s s m y g r a t i t u d e to
Mr . Se i d e l , Mr . G r a m i n s k i and Mr . He y g s t e r f o r t h e t i m e t h e y
s p e n t o n m e d u r i n g m y v i s i t .
Yo u r s s i n c e r e l y ,
En c l o s u r e s Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Dii tMEDERLANDSCHE BANK N. V. Amsterdam, May 25, 1981.
POGTPUS DO - 1OOO AB AMSTERDAM
:•".:•. "J.J. Sucrmondt
I-'.r. I.G. Freeth
Bank of Canada
Ottawa K1A 0G9
Canada
Dear Mr. Freeth,
Thank you very much for your letter of April 24, 198l,
on identification of banknotes for the blind. As you know, we
have used tactile symbols since the issue of our present f 10 ,-
banknote in January 1971* The experience we have gained since then
is mixed. On the one hand, it is recognised in broad circles that
tactile symbols may play a useful role for visually handicapped
people. On the other hand, we feel that the present, rather gross
form of our symbols is suboptimal. Smaller symbols might be re-
cognized easier.
Generally, one has to reckon with two categories of visu-
ally handicapped people. The first category includes persons born
blind or become blind in the first years of their life. These
people have an excellent feeling and have the ability even to feel
and read the text and nummerals in intaglio on the front of our
banknotes* For them special tactile symbols are not necessary.
In our latest / 10 0 ,- banknote issued since March 16, 1981 we have
improved upon the tactility of the text using letters without
serifs and leaving out cadre lines etc. which hinder feeling.
The letters are placed simply against a background in offset.
The second category includes persons become blind later
in their life, e.g. after a traffic incident. These people may be
compared with others blindfolded. Their feeling is not exceptionally
good, generally. For them special tactile symbols would be of a
great help because they are not able to feel and read the text.
It is this category at whom we aim our efforts.
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
— • •— '•- • -•-• Amsterdam, Nay
POSTBUS OB - 1OOO AB AMSTERDAM
Mr. I.G. Freeth
Canada
- 2 -
Pure braille numbers are not effective, because only a
small proportion of the visually handicapped are able to read
braille. In aur country only about 4000 people out of 90.000
visually handicapped are familiar with braille. This is why we
have chosen for a simplified system using the principle of braille.
As you remark, pure braille dots have a height greater than the
embossing which it is possible to achieve in intaglio. In the
present form of our symbols we have compensated the lesser height
by the greater-width of the dots. On afterthought, this appears
a fallacy. A simple experiment is sufficient to show this as
follows.
If a sheet of normal writing paper (thickness about 0,1
mm comparable to the embossing on our banknotes) is laid flat on
the smooth surface of a table, it is very well possible for people
like you and me to feel the edges of the sheet. However, the even
surface of the sheet is not recognizable. As shown above, people
without visual handicap but blindfolded are representative of the
category of handicapped people we aim at. So the conclusion is
that it is not the actual height or the top of the intaglio point
that is felt, but the discontinuity due to the height difference.
Tactile symbols are optimal if they have the maximal height which
can be achieved and the minimal width necessary for that height.
The symbols should be spaced such that they can be felt one by one
Typical dimensions of special tactile symbols are:
height : 100 ^m
width : 1 mm
interspace: 5 mm
Using this principle the tactile symbols of Switzerland, Belgium
and other countries are better than ours.
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
D ENED ER LA ND SCHE BA NKN.V.
PO9TBUSOB - 1OOOA B A MST ER D A M
Amsterdam, May 25, 1981
Mr. I.G. Freeth
Canada
- 3 -
All countries have devised their symbols according to
some sequential system, e.g. an increasing number of dots or
lines. Obviously, it is difficult to insert a new denomination
into the sequence. Recently, we have encountered this problem
when we decided to design a f 50 ,- banknote which does not exist
at present. It is more practical "to devise symbols using (simpli-
fied) numerals or (simplified) text. We are working along this
line but our investigations have not yet come to a conclusion.
Finally, we "have no information on how long the tactile
feel remains useful in the circulation.
.We hope that the information above is of any help to you.
Taking this opportunity I should mention that Janus Ritter has
retired in January and that Mr. J.R. Steinhauser has taken over his
responsibilities. Peter Koeze and Jaap Brugman asked me to send
you the IT? personal regards.
Yours sincerely,
t^.DE NEDERLANDSCHE BANK N.V.
Director
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CA ISSED ' EP A R GNE D EL'ET A T 6
DUGRAND-DUCH* DE LUXEMBOURG
BA NQUED EL'ET A T
* * ^ , June 7th, 1983
D IR ECT ION &%
CB/JJ
Mr . Ro b e r t J. LEUVER
Di r e c t o r
Department of the Treasury
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
W a s h i n g t o n , D.C. 20228
(U.S.A.)
Concern: Incorporated design elements for bl ind.
Dear Mr. Leuver,
Referring to your l etter of April 21st, 1983, I want to
inform you that, as Luxembourg is linked to Belgium by an agreement
on monetary association, belgian notes are legal tender and form
therefore the greater part of luxemburgish circul ation.
Within the framework of this agreement, Luxembourg keeps its
sovereign right to issue own notes, but has accepted l imits as f ar
as the amount and the denomination are concerned.
As Luxembourg has no own engraving and printing center, our
experience in the f iel d of incorporated design elements f or blind
or visual l y impaired is very l imited.
Nevertheless, I think that intagl io printed design elements
have a l egibil ity and an uti l i ty to aid the blind in determining the
denomination.
Unfortunately, the durabil ity is very limited because these
marks are only perceptible as long as the notes are in new or rather
good conditions.
Sincerely yours,
Digitized for FRASER
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Brussels, 13th July, 1983.
D I R EC T I ON
Dear Mr Leuver,
Your letter dated April 21st, 1983 concerning the incorporation in
banknotes of means by which the visually impaired might recognize
them, only reached me recently. I heard that in the meantime you
met Mr J. Van Droogenbroeck in Brussels and talked about this
subject.
So, I can only confirm our general impression about the use of
intaglio printed signs : although the utility to the blind populatic
of the elements as implemented in our notes is questionable, and the
their durability is not what one should hope and the printing of th:
deep intaglio engraving causes more frequent replacements of the
packing material on our intaglio presses, we still see no obvious
reason not to print those signs.
Furthermore, the other existing ways of enabling people to distingui
between different denominations of banknotes other than by sight
(significantly different sizes, braille numbers or raised dot codes,
clipped corners a.s.o) also have their specific drawbacks.
We hope that in the future better printed intaglio signs wil fulfill
this particular task more satisfactorily.
If you need more technical details on this matter, please do not
hesitate to get in touch with Mr J. Van Droogenbroeck.
kind regards^/
/ /
Mr Robert J.Leuven, Director
Department of the Treasury
Bureau of Engraving & Printing
WASHINGTON, B .C . 20 228 (U.S.A.)
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7 N 1 V » p 3 1
BANK OF ISRAEL
CURRENCY DEPARTMENT J "
1
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Je r us al e m, J ul y 4 , 19B3
Dr . Edmond L. G r a m i n s k y , Chief
Office o f Re s e a r c h and Technical Services
Department o f the Treasury
;
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m
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Bu r e a u o f En g r a v i n g and Printing
Wa s h i n g t o n , D.C. 20228
U. S. A.
Dear Dr . G r a m i n s k y ,
Re : Mr . R.J. Leuver's letter dated April 2 1 , 1983
regarding design elements for the blind
In r e f e r e n c e to Mr . R.J. Leuver's letter dated April 2 1 , 1983,
(which wa s r e c e i v e d by us only on 14th inst.)we wi s h to inform y o u that
we h a v e not u n d e r t a k e n a special probe relating to the legibility and
utility to t h e b l i n d o f the design elements incorporated in our banknotes
for their b e n e f i t .
As y o u m a y we l l know, we do not print our banknotes in Israel,
but m o s t l y in Ho l l a n d . That is why we h a v e originally adopted the
system o f the s i g n s for the blind from the Dutch banknotes in coordination
with the Du t c h Central Ba n k . Filled signs were thought at the beginning
to b e the b e s t element for sensitive touch but later, thanks to m o r e
i n v e s t i g a t i o n s carried out by the Dutch and Belgian Central Ba n k s , hollow
geometric s h a p e s we r e chosen for more recent banknotes as being a better
element for t h e blind to feel. That is the reason a circle h a s been
p u t on o u r latest banknote (the I.S.5 00).
From t h e foregoing, it is obvious that we cannot p o i n t out if
there we r e any detrimental effects in the production of the n o t e s .
Mo r e o v e r , l a c k i n g automatic sorting systems, we are not in a position to
report o f any e f f e c t s in the transport of the n o t e s .
An y wa y , n o p r o b l e m s we r e encountered in the passing of the notes through
counting m a c h i n e s .
Yours faithfully,
Aviezer
Assistant Director - Currency Department
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EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND W ASH ING T ON D C 2000&,
SCHWEIZERISCHE BOTSCHAFT 2900 c«ihedni Avenue N. W.
AMBASSADE DE SU1SSE Telephone ^
)
n
. j - 1 v J J
January 21
#
1983
521.2 - PB/mo
Mr. Raphael Perl
Subcommittee on Housing and
Consumer Interests
717 House Office Building
Annex I
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Mr. Perl,
TJie Swiss National Bank has informed us as follows
regarding the issue of the Swiss experience with a code
for the blind on Swiss banknotes:
"The problem is currently being studied by most of
the European central banks. However, the Swiss National
Bank (SNB) believes that to date no efficient banknote
markiri9S have been found to benefit all types of blind
people. A good differentiation method for the blind is
still the different size of the individual banknote denomi-
nations. Therefore the SNB has encouraged the manufacture
of templets to measure the different denominations.
Following are some remarks concerning the experiences
the SNB has had with the Swiss banknotes:
- The selection of the markings was made by the associations
for the blind at the time new banknotes (competition
1970 ) were created.
- The selection of the markings presented few difficulties;
the printing of the markings, however, was more problem-
atic. B anknotes are subject to much greater wear and tear
than, for example, books or newspapers in braille.
- After the first few tests, the raised printing that was
introduced at the time by the Netherlands and Israel was
adopted. After a few months of circulation, a poll of the
associations for the blind unfortunately revealed the
inefficiency of the markings as soon as the banknotes lose
their printing crispness.
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Further tests were not possible during that period due
to lack of time and problems with design, printing and
security. The creating of banknotes takes m a n y y e a r s and
must be prepared on a l o n g - t e r m basis. Bu t we s h a l l
endeavor to find new wa y s to devise a code for the blind
when we prepare the next series of banknotes.
The associations for the blind request that the markings
be retained and suggest
o that the code be imprinted diagnonally on the front and
back side
c that more space be left between the dots and lines to
facilitate reading
o that thinner paper be used to achieve a greater sensi-
tiveness of the code.
However, the printing method which would assure the thick-
ness and permanence of the markings is yet to be found.
Perforated printing seems tc be out of the question for
technical and security reasons.
The addition of the code for the blind did not result in
any additional costs to us because it formed an integral
part of the copper printing plate when the new banknotes
were niade.
There are about 5,0 0 0 blind persons in Swi t ze r l a n d , and
about 20 ,0 0 0 persons with impaired vision. Th i s is
approximately lto, respectively 3'^o of the t o t a l population
In spite of this minority, there is a consensus of opinion
that the problem should not be neglected.
11
We trust this information will be u s e f u l to y o u .
Should you have any further questions do not hesitate to
write or to call us.
Sincerely yours
Peter B uomberger
Secretary of Embassy
Encl. 1 photocopy
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500 F r.
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APPENDIX 3
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
A MER ICA NF OUND A T IONF OR T HEBLIND , INC.
June 1 , 1983
Mr . Ma u r i c e M. Sc h n e i d e r
Ex e c u t i v e As s i s t a n t
Bu r e a u of En g r a v i n g and Pr i n t i n g
De p a r t m e n t of the Tr e a s u r y
14th & C St r e e t , S.W.
Wa s h i n g t o n , DC 2 02 2 8
De a r Mr . Sc h n e i d e r :
En c l o s e d is t h e f e a s i b i l i t y s t u d y on t e c h n i qu e s f o r g e n e r a t i n g a p e r s o n a l
s i ze p a p e r m o n e y i d e n t i f i e r t o b e u s e d by blind and s e v e r e l y v i s u a l l y
i m p a i r e d p e r s o n s .
In a p e r i o d of a f e w we e k s , it is o n l y p o s s i b l e f o r us t o g i v e y o u a r o u g h
e s t i m a t e of c o s t , but we f e e l t h a t t h e y a r e p r o b a b l y a c c u r a t e . If y o u r e -
qu i r e an e x t e n s i v e study and e v a l u a t i o n o f t h e t wo t e c h n i qu e s , t o f u r t h e r
r e f i n e t h e p r o p o s a l and t o g e t b e t t e r i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e c o m p a r a t i v e a d v a n -
t a g e s of t h e t wo t e c h n i qu e s , I b e l i e v e t h a t it wo u l d r e qu i r e a p p r o x i m a t e l y
t h r e e m o n t h s of e f f o r t and $1 5 , 000 t o g e t a m o r e d e f i n i t i v e e v a l u a t i o n .
Sp e c i f i c a t i o n s wo u l d h a v e t o be wr i t t e n and sent t o a n u m b e r o f o r g a n i za t i o n s ,
I h o p e t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n is wh a t y o u r e qu i r e and wo u l d b e h a p p y t o g i v e a
p r e s e n t a t i o n t o Co n g r e s s if y o u r e qu e s t i t .
Si n c e r e l y y o u r s ,
i
DRM/b b
e n c l o s e d
D ouglas R . Maure, D i rector
T echnological D evelopment D ept,
15 WEST 16T H ST R EET NEW YOR K NY 10011 / T EL (212) 620-2000
CA BLEA D D R ESS F OUND A T ION NEW YOR IC/A NEOUA L OP P OR T UNIT Y EMP LOYER
F IELD OF F ICES
R egion I 15 West 16m Street. New York New York 10011 (212) 620-2039
R egion II 15 West 16th Street. New York. New York 10011 (212) 620-2037
R egion III 203 North Wabasn A venue. Chicago. Illinois 60601 (312) 269-0095
R egion IV 100 P eacntree Street. A tlanta. G eorgia 30303 (404) 525-2303
R egion V 1111 West Mockingbird Lane. D allas. T exas 75247 (214) 630-6035
R egion VI 760 Market Street. San F rancisco. California 94102 (415) 392-4845
Legislative Office — 1660 L Street. NW . Washington 0. C 20036 (202) 467-5996
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A POCK ET CURRENCY READER FOR THE BLIND
A f e a s i b i l i t y St u d y *
It is t h e p u r p o s e of t h i s d o c u m e n t t o o u t l i n e an a p p r o a c h f o r a p o c k e t
s i ze d d e v i c e f o r r e a d i n g t h e d e n o m i n a t i o n s of p a p e r c u r r e n c y . Th e
p r i m a r y p u r p o s e f o r t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n of such a d e v i c e , is an aid f o r t h e
b l i n d . It wi l l be u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h e t e c h n o l o g y m a y a l s o be a p p l i c a b l e
t o a wi d e r a n g e of a u t o m a t i c p r o c e s s e s wh e r e a d e f i n i t i o n of p r o d u c t or
o r i e n t a t i o n m a y be d e s i r a b l e . Ho we v e r , we h e r e limit t h e d i s c u s s i o n t o
a c u r r e n c y r e a d e r f o r t h e b l i n d in t h e United St a t e s .
Th e b a s i c t e c h n o l o g y is not n e w. Re a d e r s have been on t h e m a r k e t f o r
s o r t i n g c u r r e n c y f o r about f i f t e e n y e a r s . Th e s e d e v i c e s , h o we v e r , h a v e
b e e n e n o r m o u s l y c o m p l e x and e x p e n s i v e , compared t o a n y t h i n g t h a t could
s e r v e t h e i n d i v i d u a l b l i n d p e r s o n . Mo r e r e c e n t l y , h o we v e r , a jo i n t p r o -
g r a m b e t we e n t h e Am e r i c a n Fo u n d a t i o n f o r the Bl i n d and ARDAC, a c o m p a n y
s e r v i n g t h e n o t e a c c e p t e r f i e l d , h a s reduced t h e c o m p l e x i t y of t h e e a r l i e r
d e s i g n s t o t h e p o i n t that a n e w p r o d u c t keyed t o t h e n e e d s of t h e blind
v e n d o r h a s n o w been a c c e p t e d by t h e Fo u n d a t i o n , and i s a v a i l a b l e t h r o u g h
t h e Fo u n d a t i o n 's Co n s u m e r Pr o d u c t s De p a r t m e n t .
In o r d e r t o e s t a b l i s h a r e f e r e n c e f o r f u r t h e r d i s c u s s i o n o f t h e d e v i c e
h e r e p r o p o s e d , it is a p p r o p r i a t e t o d i s c u s s t h i s d e v i c e known as t h e
p a p e r m o n e y i d e n t i f i e r f o r t h e b l i n d .
*T. Ly n c h , Oh i o Li c e n s e E01 3 3 1 9
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Th e u n i t is p i c t u r e d in Fi g . 1 . It o p e r a t e s from t h e n o r m a l p o we r l i n e .
It a c c e p t s t h e n o t e s in a n y g e o m e t r i c a p p r o a c h , and a n n o u n c e s t h e d e n o m i n -
a t i o n in c l e a r l y a r t i c u l a t e d En g l i s h . It e v e n t e l l s t h e o p e r a t o r if the
b i l l is of a p r e f e r r e d g e o m e t r y (i .e ., u p s i d e d o wn ). It "knows
11
b i l l s from
all d e n o m i n a t i o n s f r o m o n e t o t we n t y d o l l a r s . Al t h o u g h t h e reading of t h e
n o t e s is a f a i r l y s o p h i s t i c a t e d p r o c e s s , i n v o l v i n g a p a t t e r n o f f o r t y t o
s i x t y i n d i c e s , t h e u n i t is n o t p a r t i c u l a r l y e f f e c t i v e a g a i n s t s o p h i s t i c a t e d
c o u n t e r f e i t n o t e s . It wi l l be u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h e r e is a g r e a t deal of
t e c h n o l o g y i n v o l v e d in such d i s c r i m i n a t i o n , and a d e v i c e c l a i m i n g e f f e c t i v e -
n e s s in t h i s d i s c r i m i n a t i o n y er y qu i c k l y b e c o m e s e x p e n s i v e . Ea r l y s t u d i e s
b y AFB c o n c l u d e d t h e m a r k e t a b i l i t y f o r t h e v e n d o r aid wi l l be s e v e r e l y
l i m i t e d if the r e t a i l u n i t cost o f t h e d e v i c e is m u c h m o r e t h a n $6 00.00,
a n d , c o n s e qu e n t l y u n i t s we r e set t h a t p r e c l u d e d e n g i n e e r i n g and d e v e l o p m e n t
c o s t s p e r m i t t i n g f o r t h e r e je c t i o n of c o u n t e r f e i t n o t e s .
Ha v i n g d e s c r i b e d in t h e a b o v e p a r a g r a p h wh a t m i g h t be t e r m e d t h e s t a t e of
t h e a r t , we n o w t u r n o u r a t t e n t i o n t o t h e d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h i s p r o p o s a l .
Fi r s t , if $6 00.00 is a m a r k e t p r o b l e m f o r t h e b l i n d v e n d o r , e v e n wh e n
a s s i s t e d b y t h e Ra n d o l p h Sh e p p a r d Ac t , it is c l e a r t h a t a p e r s o n a l n o t e
r e a d e r m u s t aim at a s u b s t a n t i a l l y l o we r f i g u r e if t h e m a r k e t is t o be
l a r g e e n o u g h t o s u p p o r t t h e d e v i c e . It is p r o b a b l e , t h e r e f o r e , t h a t a
f i n a n c i a l l y u n a s s i s t e d d e v e l o p m e n t e f f o r t of s u c h a d e v i c e wi l l n e v e r h a p -
p e n , and t h e r e f o r e t h e p u r p o s e o f t h i s d i s c u s s i o n is t o p r o v i d e a b a c k -
g r o u n d f o r f u n d i n g r e qu e s t s .
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INCQUCI I Ul UIIC U I I IIU--pflyC J
A wa y t o m a k e s u b s t a n t i a l p r o g r e s s in t h i s p r o b l e m a r e a of u n i t cost is
t o m a k e t h e d e c i s i o n f a v o r i n g s o p h i s t i c a t e d d e s i g n and e x t e n s i v e t o o l i n g .
Th i s m e a n s t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e d e v i c e will be c o m p a r a t i v e l y e x p e n s i v e ,
b u t t h e s e l l i n g cost t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l u s e r wi l l be m o d e r a t e . It is im-
p o s s i b l e t o e s t i m a t e t h i s f i g u r e wi t h any d e g r e e of a c c u r a c y s i n c e p r o -
d u c t i o n cost is s e n s i t i v e t o v o l u m e . In l a r g e v o l u m e (1 00, 000 u n i t s ) the
c o s t of $75 .00 s e e m s r e a s o n a b l e and could i n c r e a s e t o $2 5 0.00 wi t h r e l a -
t i v e l y low v o l u m e .
We n o w turn o u r a t t e n t i o n t o t h e p r o b l e m s i n v o l v e d in g o i n g f r o m t h e d e -
v i c e of Fi g . 1 t o t h e p o c k e t v e r s i o n .
Th e m a jo r d i f f e r e n c e is t h a t Fi g . 1 h a n d l e s t h e b i l l , m o v i n g it at a c o n -
t r o l l e d rate of s p e e d t h r o u g h t h e s c a n n i n g m e c h a n i s m . Th i s is an e x p e n -
s i v e part of the m a c h i n e , b u t it s o l v e s s o m e t o u g h p r o b l e m s . It c a n n o t be
a f e a t u r e o f a p o c k e t d e v i c e b e c a u s e of t h e cost but a l s o b e c a u s e such a
m e c h a n i s m p u t s i m p o s s i b l e d e m a n d s u p o n t h e p o we r a v a i l a b l e in a p o c k e t
d e v i c e . Ac c o r d i n g l y , t h e p r o p o s e d d e v i c e h y p o t h i c a t e s a d e s i g n wh e r e t h e
s c a n n i n g p r o c e s s is m a n u a l l y p e r f o r m e d . Th e p r e f e r r e d e m b o d y m e n t is p i c -
t u r e d in Fi g . 2 . Th e n o t e is t h r e a d e d s i d e wa y s i n t o t h e m a c h i n e , and c a p -
t u r e d by a r o l l e r wi t h an i n e r t i a b r a k e . Th e o p e r a t o r , a f t e r l o a d i n g t h e
bill i n t o t h e m a c h i n e , p u l l s o n e e n d (e i t h e r e n d ), wi t h d r a wi n g t h e n o t e
and p r o v i d i n g a m e c h a n i s m f o r t h e s c a n n i n g p r o c e s s . Th e i n e r t i a b r a k e
wi l l control t o an a c c e p t a b l e d e g r e e t h e r e g u l a r i t y of t h e e x t r a c t i o n p r o -
c e s s . Th e "reading
11
of t h e n o t e n o w b e c o m e s a s i m p l e e x t r a p o l a t i o n of the
p r o c e s s in t h e v e n d o r n o t e r e a d e r .
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M rocKet Lurrency Keaaer t o r the b l i n d — p a g e 4
It will be u n d e r s t o o d that a d e s c r i p t i o n of t h i s reading p r o c e s s in detail
will s e r v e n o o n e b e t t e r t h a n t h e p o t e n t i a l c o u n t e r f e i t e r /s o we shall not
reveal s u c h d e t a i l s in t h i s d e s c r i p t i o n . In f a c t , t h e v e n d o r d e v i c e does
wo r k ; it has been a p p r o v e d b y t h e Am e r i c a n Fo u n d a t i o n f o r t h e Bl i n d , and
s i n c e t h e s c a n n i n g p r o c e s s and t h e l o g i c are e x p e c t e d t o b e c l o s e l y a l i k e
in t h e t wo m a c h i n e s , it is n o t in d o u b t t h a t t h e p o c k e t v e r s i o n o f t h e
d e v i c e wi l l have c o m p a r a b l e p e r f o r m a n c e .
Th e v e n d o r d e v i c e f o r t h e b l i n d a n n o u n c e s t h e d e n o m i n a t i o n of t h e n o t e in
p l a i n En g l i s h . Th i s is an e x p e n s i v e f e a t u r e . It is not y e t c l e a r t h a t
t h e p r i c e o b je c t i v e f o r t h e p o c k e t v e r s i o n will p e r m i t t h i s t y p e o f read-
o u t . It s e e m s qu i t e p o s s i b l e t h a t a s u i t a b l e i n v e s t m e n t in a s p e e c h s y n -
t h e s i s c h i p s p e c i f i c a l l y f o r t h e b l i n d r e a d e r m i g h t r e d u c e t h e p e r u n i t
cost t o an a f f o r d a b l e f i g u r e .
Sh o u l d f u r t h e r s t u d y of t h e c o s t /p e r f o r m a n c e r a t i o p u s h t h e d e c i s i o n t o a
n o n - s p e e c h r e a d o u t , p i n - t y p e r e a d o u t s a r e a v a i l a b l e , and an a c o u s t i c read-
out c o m p r i s i n g a keyed n o t e o r n o t e s can be e a s i l y a c h i e v e d . Ho we v e r , d u e
t o t a c t u a l d i s c r i m i n a t i o n p r o b l e m s f o r t h e e l d e r l y b l i n d and b l i n d d i a b e t i c
m a y p r e c l u d e t h i s as an o p t i o n .
Wh a t we c o n c e i v e , t h e r e f o r e , is t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f a p o c k e t c u r r e n c y r e a d e r
f o r t h e b l i n d , s i m i l a r in c o n c e p t t o t h e a r t i s t 's s k e t c h in Fi g . 2 , d e -
rived in its e s s e n t i a l o p e r a t i n g f e a t u r e s from a c u r r e n t l y a v a i l a b l e v e n d o r
n o t e r e a d e r f o r t h e b l i n d .
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uurrenty r^edaer T or trie onna—page D
A p r o t o t y p e , f u n c t i o n a l u n i t c o u l d b e a v a i l a b l e in n i n e m o n t h s . A m a r k e t -
a b l e d e v i c e f r o m hard t o o l i n g , in e i g h t e e n m o n t h s . Th e e s t i m a t e d c o s t f o r
s u c h a p r o g r a m is $2 5 0, 000. De p e n d i n g u p o n v o l u m e , p r i c e p e r u n i t f r o m
$75 .00 t o $2 5 0.00 s e e m s f e a s i b l e .
Th e Bu r e a u of En g r a v i n g and Pr i n t i n g h a s p r o p o s e d a b a r c h a r t t o b e p l a c e d
a r o u n d t h e f a c e on t h e b i l l . As I u n d e r s t a n d i t , t h e y p r o p o s e a 12 m i l
s p a c i n g wi t h 8 m i l f o r a o n e and 4 m i l f o r a ze r o . Ea c h bit c o d e wo u l d be
u t i l i ze d p e r m i t t i n g e r r o r c o r r e c t i o n . Th i s t e c h n i qu e wo u l d p r o b a b l y cost
t h e c o n s u m e r a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h e s a m e as t h e t e c h n i qu e s d e s c r i b e d a b o v e .
Th e r e a s o n t h a t t h i s s e e m s l i k e l y is t h a t t h e r e d u c t i o n in s i ze o f t h e
c o m p u t e r a l g o r i t h m s in the m i c r o p r o c e s s o r d o e s not m a t e r i a l l y d e c r e a s e t h e
cost of t h e i n s t r u m e n t . Th e m i c r o p r o c e s s o r c o s t s wo u l d p o s s i b l y b e r e -
d u c e d f r o m $1 0.00 t o $9.00. Be c a u s e of t h e f i n e s p a c i n g on t h e b a r c h a r t ,
it d o e s not s e e m l i k e l y t h a t t h e o p t i c s wo u l d be s u b s t a n t i a l l y l e s s com-
p l e x t h a n t h e e x i s t i n g o p t i c a l s y s t e m , and in f a c t , b e c a u s e of t h e c l o s e
s p a c i n g m i g h t e v e n be m o r e e x p e n s i v e . Th e r e f o r e , it s e e m s t h a t t h e b a r
c h a r t a p p r o a c h wo u l d cost a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h e s a m e as t h e a p p r o a c h s u g g e s t e d
b y ARDAC.
June 1 , 1983
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VENDOR PAPER MONEY IDENTIFIER
FOR THE BLIND
FTn i i p r 1
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£
i ^
s
3
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APPENDIX 4
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DIMENSIONS - STANDARD AND JUMBO BRAILLE
Standard Braille 'Jumbo' Braille
Dot height (in)
Dot diameter (in)
Dot spacing, same cell (in)
Dot spacing, adjacent cells (in)
Dot spacing, adjacent lines (in)
0.018 - 0.020
0.050 - 0.065
0.092 + 0.002
0.235 - 0.250
Not less than 0.400
0.018 - 0.020
0.66
0.121
0.378
0.500
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C-4
BRAILE MARK ING S
Ov e r t h e y e a r s we h a v e p r i n t e d s o m e e x p e r i m e n t a l c u r r e n c y n o t e s wi t h
v a r i o u s t y p e s o f r a i s e d m a r k i n g s wh i c h we r e e x a m i n e d by blind p e o p l e ,
and we h a v e been in c o n t a c t wi t h t h e Ne t h e r l a n d s wh e r e Br a i l l e - m a r k e d
c u r r e n c y has a c t u a l l y c i r c u l a t e d o v e r a p e r i o d o f t i m e . Th e r e s u l t s
o f b o t h e f f o r t s c o n f i r m t h a t s p e c i a l m a r k i n g s on c u r r e n c y wo u l d not
be o f a n y p a r t i c u l a r o r l a s t i n g v a l u e to m o s t b l i n d p e o p l e , d u e to
t h e r a p i d we a r o f t h e r a i s e d s y m b o l s a n d t h e fact t h a t t h e g r e a t
p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f b l i n d p e o p l e l a c k t h e s e n s i t i v i t y o f t o u c h r e qu i r e d
to d i s t i n g u i s h t h e m a r k i n g s . Th e l a t t e r s i t u a t i o n a r i s e s b e c a u s e m o r e
t h a n h a l f o f t h e l e g a l l y b l i n d p e r s o n s in t h e Un i t e d St a t e s a r e o v e r
t h e a g e o f 6 0 and l o s t t h e i r s i g h t at a n o l d e r a g e . Even a m o n g y o u n g e r
s i g h t - h a n d i c a p p e d p e o p l e , h o we v e r , t h e t a c t i l e s e n s i t i v i t y r e qu i r e d for
r e a d i n g Br a i l l e v a r i e s g r e a t l y f r o m p e r s o n t o p e r s o n and is not a u n i -
v e r s a l l y a c qu i r e d skill a m o n g t h e b l i n d .
In a s u r v e y , m a d e by us in Au g u s t 1 977, o f 2 2 o r g a n i za t i o n s known to b e
c o n c e r n e d wi t h v a r i o u s a s p e c t s o f b l i n d n e s s , n o n e r e s p o n d e d in f a v o r o f
s p e c i a l m a r k i n g s o n c u r r e n c y to a s s i s t t h e b l i n d . Mo r e o v e r , t h e l a r g e s t
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o r g a n i za t i o n o f b l i n d p e o p l e -- Th e Na t i o n a l Fe d e r a t i o n
o f t h e Bl i n d -- has a c t i v e l y o p p o s e d a n y l e g i s l a t i o n for Br a i l l e - t y p e
m a r k i n g s o n U.S. c u r r e n c y . Th e r e f o r e , b e c a u s e o f t h e t e c h n i c a l i s s u e s
i n v o l v e d and b e c a u s e b l i n d p e o p l e t h e m s e l v e s d o not g e n e r a l l y e x p r e s s
t h e v i e w that m o n e y h a n d l i n g is a m a jo r p r o b l e m , we a r e no l o n g e r
e n g a g e d in e f f o r t s to p l a c e r a i s e d m a r k i n g s on c u r r e n c y n o t e s .
In t e r n a t i o n a l l y , at t h e Th i r d Pa c i f i c Rim Co n f e r e n c e o f Ba n k n o t e Pr i n t e r s ,
held in Ot t o wa in Se p t e m b e r 1 977, m o s t m e m b e r n a t i o n s a g r e e d t h a t Br a i l l e -
t y p e c u r r e n c y has l i t t l e real v a l u e to t h e b l i n d and o n l y s e r v e s as a
"g o o d wi l l " g e s t u r e . Th i s had been t h e f i n d i n g o f t h o s e n a t i o n s wh o h a v e
e x p e r i m e n t e d wi t h t h i s a p p r o a c h , and it s e e m s h i g h l y u n l i k e l y at t h i s t i m e
t h a t m a n y m o r e n a t i o n s will a t t e m p t to a d a p t t h e i r c u r r e n c i e s in t h i s m a n n e r .
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NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
RESOLUTION 71-07
WHEREAS, Congreuman Rarick of Louisiana has introduced in the House of
Representatives of the 92nd Congress H.R. 9102, a bill to provide for papd money of the
United Statei to carry a designation in BrsdDc indicating the denomination; and
WHEREAS, the requirements of this kgklatfve proposal would only serve to strengthen aad
morf firmly catre&ch the too generally accepted stereotype of the blind pcfton i s
depmdent for panidpatory functioning upon special gimmicks *nd inconveniencing
to the lighted; a»d
WHEREAS, it h the ICMI and concern of the National Federation of Ac Blind that ways
soon would be found and devised to corrupt and alter Braifle designations of paper money
value* by which blind persons would be defrauded and cheated; and
WHEREAS, the overwhelming and always present problem of blind persons is not the
ability to diffcicntiate the various doOar values of paper money but the great and constant
problem of blind persons is to obtain employments commensurate with their talents,
training, and abilities which will enable them to earn dollars as competing and functioning
members of the labor force; now, thcrefoie, be it
RESOLVED by the National Federation u\ thr Blind in Convention assembled this 6th day
of July, 1971, in the city of Houston, Texas, that this organization directs its officers to
take all actions necessary, including the presentation of testimony in congressional hearings
and otherwise, to defeat HLR. 9 1 02 .
Adopted unanimously.
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