TED-ED: How to spot a counterfeit bill - Tien Nguyen

The video tutorial explains the issues caused by counterfeit money and how to detect fake bills using simple tools and chemistry. It introduces the anti-counterfeit detection pen, which uses iodine to reveal starch in fake bills. Authentic bills are made of cotton and linen, while counterfeit ones often contain starch. The video also covers UV light countermeasures, where bills have a fluorescent strip that glows under UV light, helping to identify fakes. Additionally, it discusses visual cues like lifelike portraits and even spacing in serial numbers to spot counterfeit bills.

How does the anti-counterfeit detection pen work?

What are the main materials used to make authentic U.S. bills?

What chemical reaction occurs when iodine solution is applied to starchy paper?

What is the significance of the strip that fluoresces under UV light in U.S. bills printed since 1996?

What visual cues can help identify counterfeit bills?