Location of Security Strip on BankNotes

Edited Replies to a Question I asked on the IBNS Forum

Does random location of security Strip give varieties.
Post by Kavan Ratnatunga (12165-R) on 2022 Aug 15 11:41

On Sri Lanka BankNotes printed by DeLaRue the 2 or 2.5 mm Starchrome strip can vary randomly in location over about 10 mm both horizontally and vertically as well as the letters visible on the strip.
I assume this fluctuation of Strip location is common in Banknotes of other Nations.

I was amused to find horizontal fluctuations in the location of the Starchrome strip over range of 7 mm in steps of 0.5 mm on the higher denominations of modern Sri Lanka banknotes being cataloged on Colnect as different varieties of the banknote.
I know a collector is free to collect anything including fancy serial numbers to increase the rarity of the Banknote.
Probably by some dealer who wants to increase sales.

In my opinion, they don't represent variations of the note.
I would like to know others' opinions on this.
Is there any IBNS opinion on it?


According to Owen Linzmayer(IBNS 7962-R)
Note printers intentionally shift the location of security threads back and forth several millimeters during production to prevent the the threads from being in a stack, which would cause straps of notes to bulge noticeably due to the extra thickness.
So minor variations in the location of a security thread should not be considered a new variety, in my opinion.

However, there have been cases where windowed threads appear on left and then switch to right, or on front, and then shift to back. These are intentional and substantial changes that do warrant a new variety.


According to Julian Albericci (7536-R)
The position of security threads in the substrate is determined largely by the width of the feed reel from which the thread is introduced into the paper and the distance the reel is mounted from the point of introduction to the substrate during it's manufacture. Generally embedded threads are introduced at the time during the substrate (eg paper) is formed from the uniting of two layers, (front and back) as part of the paper rolling process.
If all the threads were to be positioned in the same vertical alignment then the final note pack would have a distinct bulge where the thread is positioned causing issues in the cash management processes. On a new pack of notes with a security thread if you look edge on you will see a zig-zag pattern formed by the misalignment of the thread.
I would not consider the small variation in thread position to be a change in variety.

However, if an upgrade in security, a new type of security thread, or a major shift in the thread position, even without any other outward changes to the design, that would represent a new variety.


Part of notes.lakdiva.org.lk a website for
Banknotes of Ceylon and Sri Lanka since 1785.