New $20 bills released to circulation in Vancouver ceremony

Sun

CREDIT: Jonathan Hayward, Canadian Press Canada's new $20 bill includes such security features as raised ink and fine-line printing.

VANCOUVER - Canada's new $20 bank note -- bearing masterpieces by the internationally recognized late B.C. Haida artist Bill Reid on the back and incorporating anti-counterfeiting features similar to those on the recently issued $100 note -- was released into circulation in a ceremony in Vancouver Wednesday.

The new note, first unveiled last month, will be available across the country within two weeks.

Its anti-counterfeiting measures include a metallic holographic stripe, a watermarked portrait, a windowed colour-shifting thread woven into the paper, and a see-through number.

The new note also incorporates such enhanced security features as raised ink (intaglio), fine-line printing, and improved red and yellow fluorescence under ultraviolet light.

A new security-enhanced $50 bill is scheduled to be released by the end of the year.

© The Vancouver Sun 2004