Is it possible to independently check dollars and euros for authenticity at home?

Modern citizens are familiar with the process of currency exchange firsthand; many go through this procedure quite often, but even they do not always know how to check the quality of banknotes and ensure their authenticity. What can we say about those who are faced with this issue for the first time?

If you change dollars and euros at a bank, you can avoid many potential problems, but this approach is not always the most profitable. To be able to change money anywhere and anytime without fear of being deceived, you need to learn the basic principles of checking current banknotes for authenticity and remember a number of important nuances.

Basic rules for working with currency

Compliance with the following rules will help significantly reduce the risk of receiving counterfeit banknotes:

In this matter, you can’t rush; you need to calculate the time so that you have the opportunity to check every bill, and not just a few to choose from. Fraudsters often mix fakes with originals, confusing customers.
The procedure is highly not recommended for people under the influence of alcohol or in poor lighting conditions.
If you don’t have the slightest idea about the appearance of banknotes and the available denomination, you should not resort to the services of private individuals. It is better to contact the bank, even if it is not so profitable.
You should not get involved with organizations and people who offer surprisingly favorable exchange rates.

In addition, you need to find out in advance what real dollars and euros look like, study their distinctive features and protection methods available to ordinary citizens.

How to properly check dollars for authenticity?

You can establish the authenticity of dollars without the help of special equipment, you just need to know what points to pay attention to:

Presence of a watermark. This is the first point to check. We simply point the product at the light and make sure that there is a hidden picture on one of the light parts of the paper.
Existing denominations. Dollars are issued in the form of bills of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 units. In addition, there are banknotes of 500, 1000, 5,000 and 10,000 dollars, but they are withdrawn from circulation and are collectible.
Features of paper. To check the authenticity of a banknote, you need to run your fingers over its surface. Real dollars are made from cotton and linen, which gives them an unusual roughness.
Image quality. You can lightly rub the bills against each other. If at the same time the paint is even a little dull or crumbling, we are talking about 100% fake. The design on real dollars does not blur or fade.

Advice: It is strictly forbidden to use only one of the verification approaches, because fraudsters are also aware of the security levels of banknotes and try to fill in all the gaps as much as possible. For your own safety, you need to study as many techniques as possible and apply all of them in practice.

Portraits of Presidents. The 1 dollar depicts George Washington, the 2 - Thomas Jefferson, the 5 - Abraham Lincoln, the 10 - Alexander Hamilton, the 20 - Andrew Jackson, the 50 - Ulysses Grant, the 100 - Benjamin Franklin.
Colors used. On the front side of the dollar is covered with inscriptions and images in black. This paint has magnetic properties. The reverse side consists primarily of green paint, which has no magnetic properties. Particular attention should be paid to the denomination located on the front side, in the lower right corner. When changing the viewing angle, it can change color from black to green.
Availability of microprinting. Individual inscriptions and drawings consist of words printed in small print. True, this can only be verified by examining dollars under a magnifying glass.

The listed manipulations are more than enough to determine the authenticity of banknotes. The main thing is to take your time and check all the important points.

How to quickly check the authenticity of euros?

The methods for checking euros are very similar to those used when examining dollars, but there are some specific points. Practice shows that fraudsters try to counterfeit these products much less often than US currency, but such cases do occur.

The paper is made from pure cotton and has a very thick feel with obvious rough edges. The product cannot be waxy or flexible.
When producing euros, a special printing technique is used, thanks to which the letters, denomination and design on the front side are convex, which can be easily felt with your fingertips. So that visually impaired people can easily check the authenticity of banknotes, special convex inserts are made on banknotes of 200 and 500 euros.
Besides the traditional watermark that can be found using light, there is another level of verification. Due to the noticeable difference in paper thickness, when holding a banknote against a dark background, some white details will darken.
Euro banknotes have a stacking effect. The marks in the upper corners of the products, which appear disparate and illogical, form a single pattern when assessed in the light. Even the most protected dollars cannot boast of such a move.
A security thread has been introduced into the banknotes. When clear, it becomes dark with a clearly visible denomination and the inscription “euro”.
In addition to traditional microprinting, there is a microperforation effect. This is especially clearly visible in the hologram of the euro icon; it seems to be pierced with very small holes.
In addition, banknotes of various denominations can change their color depending on the viewing angle.

If you pay attention to all these points, thought out by specialists specifically for ordinary citizens, you can check the quality of a banknote with almost 100% accuracy and establish its authenticity. You should not agree to a deal if you have even the slightest doubt about the quality of the bill. It is better to refuse a profitable and honest offer once than to cry over counterfeit money because of your gullibility and lack of confidence in your existing knowledge.