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How Franklin protected the first US dollars from counterfeiting.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have discovered the ingenious methods by which Benjamin Franklin created nearly 2.5 million banknotes for the American colonies. These discoveries provide a rare glimpse into the early history of money in America.
Colonial money and the fight against counterfeiting
A team led by Khachatur Manukyan analyzed about 600 banknotes from the colonial period. Franklin attached the greatest importance to the creation of a monetary system for the colonies, as he understood the importance of financial independence for the political freedom of the colonies. The main problem was countering fakes. The answer was that Franklin developed unique security measures for his banknotes.
Scientific analysis of Franklin's methods
Manukyan and his team identified the characteristics of the pigments used by Franklin. He used a special graphite-based ink, as opposed to the burnt-bone pigment that was popular with forgers. In addition, the team found that Franklin used colored silk threads in his paper long before the method was widely known.
The team also found that the banknotes printed by the Franklin printing network were different due to the addition of a transparent material that they identified as muscovite. This mineral, as the researchers suggest, made the banknotes more durable and served as an additional protection against forgery.
Challenges and results of collaboration
The project demonstrated the value of interdisciplinary work. Despite the difficulties of working with rare and archival materials, scientists emphasize that their discoveries were made possible by an unsurpassed level of cooperation between representatives of various disciplines.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have discovered the ingenious methods by which Benjamin Franklin created nearly 2.5 million banknotes for the American colonies. These discoveries provide a rare glimpse into the early history of money in America.
Colonial money and the fight against counterfeiting
A team led by Khachatur Manukyan analyzed about 600 banknotes from the colonial period. Franklin attached the greatest importance to the creation of a monetary system for the colonies, as he understood the importance of financial independence for the political freedom of the colonies. The main problem was countering fakes. The answer was that Franklin developed unique security measures for his banknotes.
Scientific analysis of Franklin's methods
Manukyan and his team identified the characteristics of the pigments used by Franklin. He used a special graphite-based ink, as opposed to the burnt-bone pigment that was popular with forgers. In addition, the team found that Franklin used colored silk threads in his paper long before the method was widely known.
The team also found that the banknotes printed by the Franklin printing network were different due to the addition of a transparent material that they identified as muscovite. This mineral, as the researchers suggest, made the banknotes more durable and served as an additional protection against forgery.
Challenges and results of collaboration
The project demonstrated the value of interdisciplinary work. Despite the difficulties of working with rare and archival materials, scientists emphasize that their discoveries were made possible by an unsurpassed level of cooperation between representatives of various disciplines.
