Fives before Hundreds

New U.S. $5 Bill Will Get a Digital Debut on September 20

New Design to Be Unveiled Online During "Wi-5" Event

The U.S. Treasury thru the press department has sent out an email informing us that the press / public unveiling of the design and some security features of the new $5.00 bill will be broadcast to the press at a news event scheduled for 20 September. So, the information is nearly here. The bills are still scheduled to be introduced into circulation in Spring, 2008. Here is the full BEP release:

Washington, D.C. (August 21, 2007) - For the first time, a redesigned denomination of U.S. currency will be digitally unveiled when a new $5 bill design is revealed on September 20, 2007.

In relying on digital communications channels for the "Wi-5" unveiling event, the government will serve two purposes: first, echo its approach to staying ahead of counterfeiters by using the latest advances in technology to enhance the bill's security; and second, allow for the unveiling of the new $5 bill design to be widely accessible.

"A digital unveiling for the redesigned $5 bill provides a new opportunity to engage people in the public education process," said Dawn Haley, Chief of the Office of External Relations at the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing, "We hope that the ‘Wi-5' theme will get consumers excited about the new bill and encourage them to use the resources on our Web site to learn about its security features and protect their hard-earned money."

The government offers public education and training materials to inform the public about the latest currency designs. These materials are available to order or download at www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney. The site has received over 222 million hits since its launch in May 2003 and gets about 280,000 unique visitors each month.

The Web site will be home to the "Wi-5" event on September 20, when government officials from the U.S. Treasury, Federal Reserve Board, Bureau of Engraving and Printing and U.S. Secret Service reveal the new $5 bill design for the first time and discuss continuing efforts to stay ahead of counterfeiting. An online Q&A for reporters and podcasts will round out the new bill's digital debut. During the days following the $5 bill's unveiling, streaming video of man-on-the-street interviews will be posted on the site, which will showcase consumers identifying the new $5 bill's updated security features.

"The United States government will continue to enhance the security of our Nation's currency," said Rose Pianalto, Assistant to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. "From Bangkok to Boston, we want those who rely on our paper money around the globe – whether they are central banks, businesses or consumers – to have the information they need to verify the money they receive is genuine and to ensure a smooth introduction of new designs into commerce."

Counterfeiting of U.S. currency has been kept at low levels through a combination of improvements in security features, aggressive law enforcement and education efforts to inform the public about how to check their paper money.

The $100 bill will be the next denomination to be redesigned after the $5 bill is issued in early 2008. The government has no plans to redesign the $1 and $2 bills.

Now you know what I know. But why the AP has finally just started talking aobut the $100 redesign, brought to you here much earlier, I do not know. 

George