A smartcard reader, comprising: an entry configured to accept a smartcard; a base configured to slidably receive the smartcard; a first row of a plurality of first reading contacts, the first reading contacts being uniformly spaced in the first row, and each first reading contact including: an arm portion parallel to the base, the arm portion being cantilevered at a first end off a first mounting member, and a contact portion coupled to the arm portion, the contact portion being configured to make an electrical connection with a contact pad on the smartcard, a second row of a plurality of second reading contacts, each second reading contact including: an arm portion parallel to the base, the arm portion being cantilevered at a first end off a second mounting member, the second mounting member being coplanar with the first mounting member, and a contact portion coupled to the arm portion, the contact portion being configured to make an electrical connection with a contact pad on the smartcard; a third row of a plurality of third reading contacts, each third reading contact including: an arm portion parallel to the base, the arm portion being cantilevered at a first end off a third mounting member, the third mounting member located at a vertical distance from the second mounting member, the arm portion overlying the arm portion of the second reading contact, and a contact portion coupled to the arm portion, the contact portion being configured to make an electrical connection with a contact pad on the smartcard, the contact portion being configured to rest on the base between the contact portion of the first reading contact and the contact portion of the second reading contact. an entry configured to accept a smartcard; a base configured to slidably receive the smartcard; a first row of a plurality of first reading contacts, the first reading contacts being uniformly spaced in the first row, and each first reading contact including: an arm portion parallel to the base, the arm portion being cantilevered at a first end off a first mounting member, and a contact portion coupled to the arm portion, the contact portion being configured to make an electrical connection with a contact pad on the smartcard, an arm portion parallel to the base, the arm portion being cantilevered at a first end off a first mounting member, and a contact portion coupled to the arm portion, the contact portion being configured to make an electrical connection with a contact pad on the smartcard, a second row of a plurality of second reading contacts, each second reading contact including: an arm portion parallel to the base, the arm portion being cantilevered at a first end off a second mounting member, the second mounting member being coplanar with the first mounting member, and a contact portion coupled to the arm portion, the contact portion being configured to make an electrical connection with a contact pad on the smartcard; an arm portion parallel to the base, the arm portion being cantilevered at a first end off a second mounting member, the second mounting member being coplanar with the first mounting member, and a contact portion coupled to the arm portion, the contact portion being configured to make an electrical connection with a contact pad on the smartcard; a third row of a plurality of third reading contacts, each third reading contact including: an arm portion parallel to the base, the arm portion being cantilevered at a first end off a third mounting member, the third mounting member located at a vertical distance from the second mounting member, the arm portion overlying the arm portion of the second reading contact, and a contact portion coupled to the arm portion, the contact portion being configured to make an electrical connection with a contact pad on the smartcard, the contact portion being configured to rest on the base between the contact portion of the first reading contact and the contact portion of the second reading contact. an arm portion parallel to the base, the arm portion being cantilevered at a first end off a third mounting member, the third mounting member located at a vertical distance from the second mounting member, the arm portion overlying the arm portion of the second reading contact, and a contact portion coupled to the arm portion, the contact portion being configured to make an electrical connection with a contact pad on the smartcard, the contact portion being configured to rest on the base between the contact portion of the first reading contact and the contact portion of the second reading contact.