Is it possible to independently verify dollars and euros for authenticity at home?

Modern citizens are familiar with the process of currency exchange firsthand, many go through this procedure quite often, but even they do not always know how to check the quality of banknotes and verify their authenticity. What to speak of those who are faced with this issue for the first time?

If you change dollars and euros in a bank, then many potential problems can be avoided, but this approach is not always the most profitable. To be able to change money anywhere and anytime without fear of being deceived, you need to study the basic principles of checking banknotes for authenticity and remember a number of important nuances.

Basic rules for working with currency

Compliance with the following rules will significantly reduce the risk of receiving counterfeit currency:

1. In this case, you can’t rush, you need to calculate the time so that it is possible to check each bill, and not several to choose from. Fraudsters often mix fakes with scripts, confusing customers.
2. The procedure is highly not recommended for people who are intoxicated or in poor lighting conditions.
3. In the absence of the slightest idea about the appearance of banknotes and the face value available, you should not resort to the services of private individuals. It is better to contact the bank, even if it is not so profitable.
4. Do not get involved with organizations and people who offer surprisingly beneficial exchange rates.

In addition, you need to know in advance what real dollars and euros look like, to study their distinctive features and the protection methods available to ordinary citizens.

How to check dollars for authenticity?

You can establish the authenticity of dollars without the help of special equipment, you only need to know what points to pay attention to:

• The presence of a watermark. This is the first point to check. Just point the product at the light and make sure that there is a hidden picture on one of the bright parts of the paper.
• Existing denominations. Dollars are issued in the form of notes in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 units. In addition, there are banknotes of 500, 1000, 5 000 and 10 000 dollars, but they are withdrawn from circulation and are collectible.
• Features paper. To check the bill for authenticity, you need to walk your fingers on its surface. Real dollars are made from cotton and linen, which provides them with an unusual roughness.
• Image quality. You can rub the bills slightly against each other. If at the same time at least a little faded or showered paint, we are talking about a 100% fake. The pattern on real dollars does not blur and does not fade.

Tip: It is strictly forbidden to use only one of the verification approaches, because fraudsters are also aware of the degrees of banknote protection and try to fill in all the gaps as much as possible. For your own safety, you need to learn as many techniques as possible and put all of them into practice.

• Portraits of Presidents. George Washington is shown on 1 dollar, Thomas Jefferson on 2, Abraham Lincoln on 5, Alexander Hamilton on 10, Andrew Jackson on 20, Ulysses Grant on 50, Benjamin Franklin on 100.
• Colors used. On the front side, the dollar is covered with inscriptions and images in black. This paint has magnetic properties. The reverse side consists mainly of green paint, which has no magnetic properties. Particular attention should be paid to the face value located on the front side, in the lower right corner. When changing the viewing angle, it can change color from black to green.
• The presence of micro printing. Separate inscriptions and drawings consist of words printed in small print. True, this can only be verified if we consider dollars under a magnifying glass.

The listed manipulations are more than enough to determine the authenticity of banknotes. The main thing is not to rush and check all the important points.

How to quickly check the euro for authenticity?

Methods for checking the euro are very similar to those used when examining dollars, but there are some specific points. Practice shows that fraudsters try to fake these products much less often than the US currency, but such cases also occur.

• The paper is made from pure cotton, it is very thick to the touch with obvious roughness. The product cannot be waxed or flexible.
• In the production of Euros, a special printing technique is used, thanks to which the letters, face value and pattern on the front side are convex, which can be easily felt with the fingertips. So that visually impaired people can easily verify the authenticity of banknotes, special convex inserts were made on banknotes of 200 and 500 euros.
• In addition to the traditional watermark, which can be found with the help of light, there is another degree of verification. Due to the noticeable difference in the thickness of the paper, when the banknote is hovering over a dark background, some white details will darken.
• Euro bills have an addition effect. The signs in the upper corners of the products, which seem scattered and illogical, form a single picture when evaluated in the light. Even the most protected dollars cannot boast of such a move.
• A security thread is introduced into the banknotes. At lumen, it becomes dark with a clearly visible face value and the inscription "euro".
• In addition to traditional microprinting, there is a microperforation effect. This is especially evident in the hologram of the euro icon, as it is penetrated by very small holes.
• In addition, banknotes of various denominations are able to change their color depending on the viewing angle.

If you pay attention to all these points, thought out by specialists especially for ordinary citizens, you can check the quality of the banknote with almost 100% accuracy and establish its authenticity. You should not agree to a deal if there is even the slightest doubt about the quality of the bill. It is better to refuse a lucrative and honest offer once than to cry over fake money because of its credulity and uncertainty in the existing knowledge.