Banknote designs are constantly getting more complicated. There are many reasons for this but a big one is that banknote security has to be constantly updated and changed in order to stay ahead of banknote counterfeiters.

The average banknote has about 20 security features in it, both covert and overt.  You can imagine where that would add to the complication of banknote design.

It is for this reason and others that the International Banknote Designers Association (IBDA) is forming to help central banks make informed decisions about banknote design and security. We look forward to seeing how IBDA will impact the banknotes we currently use.

In the meantime you can read an interview with IBDA President, Mark Stevenson.