Research into the Extension of the Life of Bank Notes: Results of 1973, 1975 and 1976 Field Trials

In the three field trials conducted in 1973, 1975 and 1976, all the experimental bank notes showed a longer average circulating life than the regular two dollar notes of either the 1954 series or the new series. The best results in extending the life of bank notes were obtained with 'Butvar' (polyvinylbutyral), the coating material in use for some years by European bank-note printers. From the results of the field trials reported in this Technical Report, it is calculated that the use of this coating would effect a reduction of 15.5 percent in the number of bank notes that must be printed each year to maintain a fixed stock of notes in circulation. This reduction in printing requirements would defray the cost of coating.