Modified money will be much harder for counterfeiters to fake. The number of security features has increased from 22 to 26. Both proprietary patented developments and global experience have been used. Goznak's know-how is a moiré field on the face of 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 ruble notes that changes color depending on the viewing angle to red, pink, green, brown. For other innovations, Goznak specialists decided to use European printing experience. Russian banknotes will be stitched with a metallized silver thread two millimeters wide, which will surface on the banknote five times. When held up to the light, the dotted line naturally becomes a solid dark band. Finally, like the world's most perfect currency (considered to be the Swiss franc), large banknotes (100, 500 and 1,000 rubles) will be perforated. Laser perforation will allow the denomination to be seen against light or felt with fingers.
Goznak promises that the pinnacle of its achievements will be the largest banknote of 1,000 rubles, dedicated to Yaroslavl. Its distinguishing feature is the city's coat of arms. When the banknote is tilted, the color of the coat of arms changes from crimson to golden-green. However, the Central Bank promises that the thousand-ruble note will not remain the largest for long - a 5,000-ruble banknote is on the way. It may appear as early as 2005.
The money developers also had ideas about changing the material from which banknotes are made. According to First Deputy Chairman of the Bank of Russia Arnold Voilukov, banknote paper consists of about one-fifth cellulose. If they switch to pure cotton or cotton with flax added, this will increase the circulation life of rubles by a third or even one and a half times. True, after that they are unlikely to be called paper.
Incidentally, Russian large banknotes have only in recent years managed to overcome the unpleasant associations that arose after the memorable Pavlov's reform of 1991. At that time, 50- and 100-ruble notes of the 'old style' were suddenly withdrawn from circulation within three days and in a terribly nervous atmosphere for the important reason of fighting unearned income.
In 1993, another monetary reform followed. The old 1961 notes with Lenin, which had lasted for a record nearly 30 years, were replaced with young, truly Russian rubles featuring architectural monuments. Naturally, no one remembered 'unearned income' anymore. At that time, the ruble bore all the consequences of the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States; the independent states continued to use it to pay, and inflation in Russia itself consequently reached several hundred percent. Monetary reform was inevitable. However, as a result, Russia not only got its own currency. Its folklore was enriched by Mr. Chernomyrdin's apt phrase, 'We wanted the best, but it turned out as always.' After all, only a few days were allotted for the exchange again and a limit was set, so it was accompanied by panic, chaos, and confusion.
In 1998, the Russian ruble underwent another reform. It was a redenomination, as a result of which the face value of each banknote was reduced by a factor of 1,000. However, this time the reform was carried out in a more lenient manner. The money was gradually withdrawn from circulation. And even the images on the banknotes did not change.
Now the Central Bank promises that the exchange of money will be civilized, unobtrusive, and inconspicuous. Russians will receive the modified moiré perforated banknotes in a natural way, without any limits or time restrictions, at accounting offices, shops, and banks.