New U.S. $5 Currency Slated for Digital Debut
In preparation for the new $5 bill – which will enter public circulation in early 2008 – a “Wi-5” digital event will be held on Sept. 20, 2007.
Officials from the U.S. Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Federal Reserve Board and U.S. Secret Service will unveil the currency’s new design through an online video, scheduled for Sept. 20 at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Podcasts as well as interactive and downloadable education and training materials, some in as many as 22 languages, will round out the digital introduction of the redesigned $5 bill.
In relying on digital communications channels for the “Wi-5” unveiling event, the government will serve two purposes: 1) Echo the government’s approach of staying ahead of counterfeiters by using the latest advances in technology to enhance the currency’s security; 2) 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 http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney.
The Web site has received more than 222 million hits since its launch in May 2003 and currently greets about 280,000 unique visitors each month.
During the days following the $5 bill’s unveiling, streaming video of “man-on-the-street” interviews will be posted on the Web 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 individuals about how to check their paper money.
After the new $5 bill is introduced, the $100 bill will be the next denomination to be redesigned. To date, the government has no plans to redesign the $1 and $2 bills.
The newly redesigned $10 bill was issued on March 2, 2006, complete with unique background colors and other security features to protect the integrity of U.S. currency. Despite the addition of subtle colors, the redesigned notes preserve the distinct size, look and feel of traditional American currency – the world’s most familiar and circulated currency.
