On November 7th, 2023, the Central Bank of Mexico (Banco de Mexico) released a special house note to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the inauguration of their banknote printing works in the state of Jalisco. House notes are tools released by Central Banks to test new materials and security features. They also serve as a guide on how to implement these features in the production process. The printing of house notes serves as excellent way of experimenting with new security features but, also as a way to advertise these new security features to other potential Central Banks. The design can be creative but, functionality and cost effectiveness must be present in the outcome.
The production of this Banco de Mexico Jalisco House Note was a collaborative effort from 3 parties, Banco de Mexico, Crane Currency and CCL Secure. The culmination of their work resulted in Banco de Mexico’s first house note printed on a Polymer substrate with the integration of security features such as MOTION SURFACE® by Crane Currency and VIVID™Color by CCL Secure.
Crane Currency’s MOTION SURFACE® stripe, which is based on micro-optical technology to generate 3D animations with movement and color. The MOTION SURFACE® feature is integrated with the rest of the house note’s graphic elements, through its design and movement. Its representation gives continuity to the banknote production process that takes place inside the printing works. As it is also visible on the back side through a transparent window, it thematically connects both sides of the note.
CCL Secure’s VIVID™Color feature is integrated into the transparent window during substrate production. It consists of a tonal scale image (whites) when viewed under daylight. When inspected under ultraviolet light, the image is seen in vivid, bright colors. In the house note, this feature shows the final result of the banknote production process. Its design consists of a fan-shaped composition of the G series of banknotes, the last one put into circulation by Banco de México, which allows to take advantage of the chromatic richness offered by the feature. It is incorporated in a transparent window that covers the entire height of the house note (65mm) and almost 30% of its length (39.43mm).
The theme of the banknote revolves around the 5th Anniversary of Inauguration of Printing Works in Jalisco. Employees who helped put the new factory into operation were interviewed and their experience was used to design the overall banknote. Another team photographed the new printing works and its architecture which were also integrated into the design. Its obverse side features the printing factory in Jalisco. Its reverse side shows the workers in the Jalisco House facility. Though the note does not have a watermark, it has a micro-optics motion surface security thread.
Sources / Credits:
[1] https://www.cranecurrency.com/solutions/design/house-notes/
[2] https://currencyaffairs.org/document/commemorative-housenote-for-the-5th-anniversary-of-banco-de-mexicos-banknote-printing-works-in-jalisco/
[3] https://www.cranecurrency.com/news-insights/banco-de-m%C3%A9xico-s-new-house-note-puts-motion-surface-to-the-test/
[4] https://www.cranecurrency.com/news-insights/the-jalisco-house-note-a-showcase-of-innovation-and-creativity/
