Product: The new $10 bill
Company: U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Since 1995, digitally produced counterfeit notes have increased from less than 1% of all counterfeits detected in the United States to about 54% in 2004, according to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing. The bureau largely attributes this to advances in technology, which make it easier and cheaper to create fake bills.

In order to fight this type of crime, the bureau plans to issue new versions of the currency every seven to 10 years. It released a new $20 bill in 2003 and a new $50 bill in 2004. Coming in early 2006 is a new $10 bill.

Similar to the $20 and $50 note designs, the $10 bill will have enhanced security features, American symbols of freedom, and subtle background colors, although the bureau uses different colors for different denominations in order to help people tell them apart.

The $10 note will also contain a watermark, security thread and color-shifting ink. When the numeral in the lower right hand corner on the note's face indicating denomination is tilted, it changes color from copper to green.

The new $10 bill design will be unveiled in late 2005.

Why such an advance warning? If you remember the new notes' release a few years back, many did not work in vending machines, ATMs and other automated monetary depositories.

The bureau will continue to work closely with cash handling manufacturers in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new currency.

As it did when unveiling the new design for the $20 and $50 notes, the bureau will provide manufacturers with test notes and specifications six months before the new bills enter international circulation.

It will provide different training materials, including posters, videos and brochures, in 24 different languages to help manufacturers and businesses adjust to the new currency.

The bureau also plans to redesign the $100 note, but has not yet said when this will occur. The $5, $2 and $1 notes will not be redesigned.