Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-04-25
SECURITY AGAINST coUNrERFE1T BANK
BILLS.


SECURITY AGAINST coUNrERFEIT BANK
BILLS.
The number OF counterfeit bank bills
now in circulation has for some time been
subject Of growing complaint. The
terrors OF the law are, and will be disre-
gardrd while the means ofdeteGtion are so
very limited and scarcely to be known but
at the banks.
WHAT'S the best method prevent coun-
terfeiting Bank Bills, and detect them If
presented?
Long experience has shewn that en-
grazing is NOT a security. The late Mr..
Harrison, was. perhaps, the first writer on
cepperPlate in the world his plates were,
however, so well initiated that he alone
was able TO point out the difference.
Among many reasons why engraving
is not check upon counterfei.s, are the
following.
Isl. The general knowledge of the art,
which is ACQUIRED by little practice and
the small expenses in obtaining the few
necessary tools, have made it extremely
easy for the counter9cter To possess him.
self with plates.
Cd. The difference between bills Of the
same denomination which are issued from
the banks is very obvious. T'hc counter
icit imitation iSNften IS near the original
impressions from the second plate, m ccs-
sarily renewed, in consequence of the
first having bean worn out; of course il
can only be discovered at the banks by
their private checks.
Srd. TIE great variety Of engraved
plates is such that people cannot recoiect
the different devices. Five dollar bills
have been altered to fifty, and passed,
though entirely different in form.
4ih. The very small expense Of plates,
and apparatus sor finishing them.
The subscriber respectfully invites al,
persons whose interest tits to investigate
the merits oC any new method which Of
fers to secure the present medium ef'cc-
tually against imposition, to attend 90 the
following advantages Of proposed me-
thod Of making bank bills by 4 newly in
vented stvle OF work called S1EREO.
TYPE PLATES.
Stereotype fLafcS are made in the follow.
ing manner. The letters, inspecting
lines, sc. arc first engraved CT sunk on
circular steel dies; then rolled on the
smooth surface Of copper plates, in such
a manner as to prevent d.la,ing or iniur-
ing the metal.-Impressio from these
plates will resemble impressions taken
from the metallic or wooden biOcksi; bnt
the plates, after being indcntc1 by the
dies, must have liDtic engraving added.
iniersec cling with the die impress 0ns on
The plate, which will render imitation by
- 10, ,v.r, 4. L =.
such engraving TO be inflated by blocks
but blockvork car be initiated ~ th;s me
th0d OF ToSi1g plates with dies.--Thus
blOckwoik and engraving can be cen5iHcd
on copperp!a'es bv The above plan. but
coDpernlate cngra~prsor bloctwork c1n-
not come fpow metallic or wooden blocks.
Tie di1rreEcc in the cost of plates may
b. rs go IN D.. Suaooso the state Of
Massaohnset's wcre 80 adopt the proposed
uniformity ~ hi.i and t1is principle Of
maxine bank paper, the fo,lowinr caIcn.
laiion wiz serve 70 .hcw anotl cr advantage
tris plan would have ryer engraving.
There arc twentY.oae banks in This state 4:
they would average, IN thu course Of their
charter SIX plates ~ each bank. a, an ex.
pense ~ 81 doHIrs each. The whole
would amoun, to 10000 dollars. The cx.
ecutor of ttc plates, on the new plan,
could afford to spend half as much time in
roti0c the dies, as il would take to en-
grave tie whole number Of plates (it be-
jn- hut little work to finish the plate after
.ife dies are msde) which would be equal
70 I've work Of go engraved plates. or
cnrtrsctthe frsf "ereo'Afc Plate for a coun
terieiter, (were it even practicable to imi-