V-)

Kiigruvrol \-Printed al l lie Treasury Depailnieii

HEATH'S
GREATLY IMPROVED AND ENLARGED

Government Counterfeit Detector,
THE ONLY INFALLIBLE METHOD OF DETECTING COUNTERFEIT, SPURIOUS,
AND ALTERED BANK NOTES, GOVERNMENT BONDS, ETC.
APPLICABLE TO ALL BANKS IN THE

U N I T E D STATES A N D . CAN ADAS,
AS NOW IN CIRCULATION OR THAT MAY BE ISSUED,
WITH

GENUINE DESMS FROM THE ORI&INAL GOVERNMENT PLATES.
BY AUTHORITY FROM T H E UNITED STATES TREASURY DEPARTMENT, AND T H E
AMERICAN, NATIONAL, AND CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COS.,
NEW YORK AND BOSTON.

Hanking

Souse

and

Counting

Room

Edition*

BOSTON, MASS., AND WASHINGTON, D. 0.:
P U B L I S H E D
BY
LABAN
H E A T H ,
TEACHER OF COUNTERFEIT DETECTION,

No. 20 Washington Street, Boston, to whom all orders should be addressed.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, fcy
LABAN HEATH,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by
LABAN HEATH,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

I N N E S AND N l L B S ,
37 COBNHILL, BOSTON.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND EDITION.

IN presenting a second edition of the "Counterfeit Detector"
to the public, I wish to add a few remarks enabling the reader
more fully to understand its import. Having had unlimited experience in the detection of counterfeit and altered bank-notes, I
felt the necessity of placing this knowledge within the reach of
all; consequently, in June, 1864, I published the first edition of
"Heath's Counterfeit Detector," which met with such favor from
the public that it reached the enormous sale of twenty-five thousand copies, and would have far exceeded this number, had not
the whole currency of the country been changed to what is commonly known as greenbacks and national bank-bills. This change
gave apparent security for a time, and it was confidently believed
that the counterfeiter's " occupation was gone." But this delusion
was suddenly dispelled by the appearance in our midst of counterfeit greenbacks, so nicely executed that they were passed over
the counters of our leading banks as genuine notes and in fact
to a great extent over the entire country. This, together with
the numerous and dangerous counterfeits of the new national currency,, induced the author to apply to the Secretary of the United
States Treasury for certain cuts and dies used on the greenbacks
and other national bills. This all-important request led the department to thoroughly investigate the matter, inquiring into the
practicability of granting it. The officers of the leading Bank
Note Engraving Companies were consulted upon the subject, and
(3)

4

INTRODUCTION.

after a thorough investigation, permission was granted, on condition that the dies should be so mutilated as to prevent all possibility of counterfeiters making any use of them in their nefarious
business, and yet preserving the symmetry of the work.
I am, therefore, through the kindness of the Secretary of the
Treasury, enabled in this new edition to give fac-simile cuts and
dies from nearly all the Government issues, thus placing in the
hands of all the means of detecting the most skilfully prepared
counterfeits that can be executed.
In issuing this work, I have given about fifty of the most
beautiful government devices, including " vignettes," 'f dies," etc.
These devices are now considered the most important safeguards,
as the whole ingenuity of the most experienced rogues seems to
be directed against the Government issues since the State bankbills have mostly been withdrawn from circulation.
The labor and expense of getting up this new work have been
very great, and I assure the public that I have neither spared
time nor money in perfecting it, so that I could. present to them
a standard work, not only worthy of the title it bears, but a
sure safeguard against all classes of counterfeits.
In conclusion, I cannot refrain from expressing my gratitude
to the Hon. Hugh McCuUoch, the able banker and Secretary of
the Treasury; Hon. W m . E . Chandler, his assistant and executive officer; Gen. F . E . Spinner, U . S. Treasurer, whose bold,
inimitable signature is better known than that of any American
now living; to Mr. Clark, of the Printing Bureau, and Mr.
Wood, detective officer, as well as to the officers of the American, National, and Continental Bank Note Companies, and many
others, whose suggestions have been of great value to the author.
LABAN H E A T H .

INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST EDITION.

T H E object of this work is to furnish the public with a standard guide, and, in a comprehensive form, the means of detecting counterfeit bank-notes at sight, — the same means employed
by Engravers, Brokers, Cashiers, and other experts.
Many a
man, after taking half a dozen counterfeit bills, has thrown away
his "Bank-Note Reporter" in disgust, feeling tnat there is no
certain means of protection against this kind of fraud. The Reporters, however, are not at fault. They do all they profess to
d o ; namely, give the standing of the Banks, and describe Jcnown
Counterfeits.
The same is true of the "Safeguards" and "Detect o r s " describing all genuine bills.
The difficulty lies in the fact
that many counterfeits do not find their way into the "Reporters''
for a long time, or they are rushed upon the community in various places at once, and the damage is done before there is
time to warn the people. Many counterfeits, also, are such exact imitations of the genuine that no description can enable one
to detect them. The only sure protection, then, is to possess
the power of judging the genuineness of the note by the quality
of the worh. This knowledge has been reduced to fixed principles, so clear and simple that any one, with the aid of a microscopic glass, can understand and apply them. Many ladies,
under the tuition of the author, have become experts in detecting counterfeits, and all who have become acquainted with the
author's mode of teaching the art have shown the deepest interest
(5)

6

INTRODUCTION.

in it, and a desire to know still more. This fact, and a desire
to furnish the community a protection against the enormous
amount of spurious currency now afloat, have prompted the author to prepare the present work. The expense of the work has
been very great, owing to the high cost of genuine engravings
with which it is so profusely illustrated.
I t may also be remarked that the author has enjoyed peculiar facilities for procuring such engravings, which are obtained with great difficulty,
owing to the misuse which might be made of them by counterfeiters; and he is thus able to apply the principles here taught
to the United States and national bank-note currency, with full
illustrations of the same.
The general principle upon which the detection of counterfeits
is based is that all parts of genuine notes are engraved by machinery,— with some exceptions hereafter named, — while all parts
of counterfeit notes are engraved by hand, with exceptions hereafter given.
The machines employed in engraving are very elaborate and
expensive, thus placing them beyond the reach of counterfeiters,
who, even if they had the capital, would hardly risk investing
from $75,000 to $150,000 in an illegitimate business which might
be taken from them at any moment by the officers of the law.
The size and weight of such apparatus would also prevent concealment.
The work executed by the regular Bank-Note Company is of
great beauty and perfection; and in all its parts mathematically
and geometrically exact. Engraving executed by hand, or even
with the aid of some simple machinery, can never approach the
beauty and exactness of genuine work. The success of counterfeiters in circulating their spurious issues is not always due to
any excellence* of work that would deceive a practised eye, but
to the general ignorance of the public as to what constitutes
good and poor engraving. So general is this ignorance, that it

INTRODUCTION.

7

is rare to meet a man who knows the object or character of the
beautiful devices found upon every bank-note, and which are its
only safeguard against counterfeiting. In judging of the genuineness of a note, some look carefully for pin-holes, others for
signs of wear, and others still examine the paper, all of which
are easily imitated by counterfeiters.
In the engravings of this work will be found a standard of
excellence, with which all genuine work will favorably compare;
while counterfeits will fail to stand the test. A careful comparison will reveal their defects, — defects which will never be
found in genuine work. Some works of similar character to
this have attempted to give specimens of counterfeit engraving
by means of wood-cuts.
This, however, is impossible, as there
is no standard for counterfeits, varying as they do from poor to
excellent.
The various kinds of work will be fully described in the following sections. They consist of—
SEC. 1. Geometrical Lathe Work.
* 2. Euling Engine Work.
*
w
3. Vignettes.
<?
4. Solid Print.
« 5. The Perkins Plate.
w
6. Minor Eules.
Then will be added —
SEC. 7. Altered Bank-Notes.
" 8. General Directions.
w
9. Particular Directions.
w
10. Remarks.
" 11. Microscope or Magnifying Glass.

'^^^^taja^^^^^^^^

COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR.

SZECTIOIN"

FIRST.

GEOMETRICAL LATHE WORK.
CANNOT BE SUCCESSFULLY IMITATED.

ALL the figures on bank-notes, of circles, ovals, squares,
etc., and upon which the denomination is usually placed (see
Plates 2, 3, 5, and 6), are composed entirely of a network
of fine lines) crossing each other at such angles and distances as to produce the desired effect. This fine line is
the characteristic of this description of engraving, and in
genuine work can be traced by means of a lens throughout
the figure, never breaking or losing itself in another line,
or pursuing any irregularity whatever. This line is usually
white, on a black or green ground, or sometimes red, but
may be a black, green, or red line on white.
Plate 5 shows the beautiful lathe work, on the right end of
the backs of the $10, $20, $50, and $100 National Currency
Notes; they are printed in green, the same color used for
the bills. A careful comparison of any suspicious note of
the above denomination (with the aid of a lens) will at once
determine its character. This line is produced by the Geometrical Lathe, a wonderful and beautiful engine, invented

10

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR.

by Mr. Asa Spencer, of Connecticut, and first introduced
into general use in 1818-19. The patterns produced by the
geometrical lathe are of every conceivable variety of form
and figure; but this fine line is the characteristic of them
all. The lathe does not engrave its patterns directly upon
the bank-note plate, but upon pieces of soft steel one eighth
of an inch thick. This piece is then hardened by a peculiar process, and then a cylinder of soft steel is rolled
over it by means of a powerful machine called the Transfer
Press, and the engraving is transferred to the cylinder. This
cylinder is then hardened, and is capable of transferring the
same design to the bank-note plate, by means of the Transfer Press. In counterfeit engraving, on the contrary, the design
is engraved directly upon the plate, and will fail in two ways.
First, it will be impossible to produce the perfect line of
the genuine, and the effect to the naked eye will be a
more or less dull and sunken appearance, and sometimes
a "scratchy" look. The figure will also be darker or lighter
in spots, because the lines will be sometimes heavier and
sometimes lighter. The lens will also show the lines to be
imperfect, sometimes broken, irregular in size, and irregular in their course; and, second, it will be impossible to
produce two dies exactly alike. In the genuine plate, when
two dies occur alike, both are " transferred" from the same
cylinder and must be alike; but in the counterfeit, each
being separately engraved, and by hand, it is impossible to
produce two exactly alike. An examination of the plates
showing the more frequent forms of geometrical lathe dies
will show the beautiful, clear, raised impression produced by
the correct lines of the genuine engraving. Sometimes the

s
§

§
$
*S

fc

t»

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR.

11

whole face of a note, except the vignettes and dies, will
be tinted a pale red or other color. This tint is composed
of fine curved or looped lines, running across the whole
face of the bill, and is done by the geometrical lathe. In
the genuine it will be perfect in the lines and in the
shades, like all lathe work, as described above; and the
counterfeits will have the same imperfections, in the lines
and in the shades, before described. In all the Government
issues (with the exception of the old fractional currency,
now nearly obsolete) the geometric lathe work is largely
used, constituting the chief test of genuineness. This should
be made a particular study by carefully examining the plates,
both with the lens and the naked eye. The student will
thus become familiar with genuine and perfect work.

szECTioztr ssooisrr).
RULING ENGINE WORK.

THE fine line is also the characteristic of this kind of
work; but the lines, instead of forming circles, are parallel.
This work is always used for the shading of letters (see
Plate 11), which forms a perfectly even pale gray shade. The
lines are usually very fine in genuine work, so that the
shading appears light. It may, however, be dark and yet
be genuine.
The engraving is produced and transferred in the same
way as the geometrical lathe work, and the shade will always be uniform, — no part darker than another, — the lines
will all be perfect, and the spaces between them exact.
They may be horizontal, i. e., directly across the plate, or
diagonal, running crosswise the plate. In the counterfeit,
this work, like all other, is engraved upon the plate by
hand, aided sometimes, perhaps, by some simple and imperfect machinery.
Consisting of the fine line, like the geometrical lathe
work, it will fail in the same particulars ; namely, will be
more or less dull and sunken, looking as though done with
a lead-pencil, and may also have the " scratchy" appearance. The lens will show the lines to be more or less
coarse and uneven, frequently breaking, and sometimes ending too soon.
(12)

V

^

s
h

'P
K

£

ft
1
3

I

^

^

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOK.

13

The lines are also liable to be crooked, — not perfectly
parallel. Fine specimens of ruling engine work will be
found on Plate 11. It is generally used, as there, for the
shading of names of banks, and also for the names of Town,
State, etc.

SZECTIOItT

THIBD.

VIGNETTES.
CAN

BE

IMITATED.

T H E two kinds of work previously described are always
and invariably machine work in genuine bills, and therefore
cannot be imitated successfully by the means in the hands of
counterfeiters. Vignettes may be classed as the artistic part
of bank-note engraving, as the greater part of it is done
by hand, and in all genuine work by first-class artists.
Water and sky are sometimes done with the ruling engine,
and when they are, come under Section Second, and cannot
be successfully imitated. The only thing required for a firstclass vignette is a first-class artist; but as such artists
receive high rates of compensation, and can usually find
plenty of employment from the regular companies, counterfeiters can offer little temptation to induce them to work
for them, and there is also little temptation for artists to
become counterfeiters. It is therefore rare to see fine vignettes on counterfeit notes. That good work is sometimes
found upon such issues is, however, not to be denied; and
some works of a similar character to this have taught
people to rely too much upon the character of the vignettes. Much is said about the appearance of the eyes, hair,
skin, drapery, fingers, toes, etc., leading people to suppose
(14)

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR.

15

these are infallible " guides." The Plates 6 and 8 give fine
specimens of first-class vignettes, which will be readily recognized by the reader as belonging on the different denominations of national bills, and all vignettes which fail to
compare well with these should cause the note to be carefully examined; but the style of vignette should not be
allowed to overturn judgment based upon the work described
in the first two sections. If that be all genuine, an ordinary vignette cannot make the bill counterfeit, and if that
be counterfeit, no vignette can make the bill genuine. The
vignettes on the backs of the $ 5 , $ 1 0 , $ 2 0 , $ 5 0 , $100,
$500, and $1,000 National Currency Notes are taken from
historical paintings from the U. S. Capitol at Washington,
which are exceedingly lifelike and beautiful. The engraving
on the back of the $ 5 is the landing of Columbus; on
the back of the $ 10 is De Soto discovering the Mississippi ; on the back of the $ 20, the baptism of Pocahontas;
on the back of the $ 50, the embarkation of the Pilgrims;
on the back of the $ 100, the signing of the Declaration of
Independence; on the back of the $ 5 0 0 , the surrender of
Gen. Burgoyne; on that of the $ 1,000, Washington resigning his commission. Being under the necessity of mutilating
all the dies furnished by the U. S. Treasury Department,
as referred to in the Introduction, I have taken the right
end of back vignette of $ 5 National Currency, and the
right end of face of $ 5 National Currency, and the left-hand
half of the back of $ 10 and the right-hand half of the
$ 2 0 ; also, the left-hand half of the $ 5 0 and the right-hand
half of the $100, and the right-hand half of the $500,
and the left-hand half of the $1,000, and put them together,

16

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR.

to preserve their symmetry, instead of mutilating the entire
back. (See Plates 7, 9, and 10.)
On the centre of Plate 4 will be seen the vignette which
appears on the left-hand end of the $ 5 greenback. At
the right of it is the vignette of the $ 2 0 greenback; at
the left is vignette on right end of $ 10 greenback. The
portraits in Plates 2 and 3, were executed by men at the
head of their profession, and are exceedingly lifelike and
beautiful. Counterfeiters oftener fail in portraits than in outdoor scenes, giving them generally a sunken and lifeless
expression. The vignettes upon the Government issues consist of out-door scenes, historical pictures, portraits, and allegorical figures. All are of exceeding beauty, and it is not
probable that counterfeiters will ever succeed in successfully imitating such work. Specimens of all are given,—
the splendid portraits of Chase and Hamilton, on Plate 2,
executed by the National Bank Note Co., of New York,
cannot fail to strike the eye of the most casual observer.
Yet the portrait of Hamilton has been dangerously imitated
on a counterfeit $ 50 greenback. But it should be understood that, however perfect, a counterfeit cannot be the same
as the original. This portrait of Hamilton, for instance, has
been engraved but once, and all impressions of it upon
Government notes, or in this book, are exact copies of that
one engraving, being all made from it by the transferring
process already described. The same is true of all vignettes
upon Government issues. A comparison, therefore, of a supposed counterfeit with the specimens in this book will show
whether it be exactly the same or not.

i

fc
\

^

SECTIOIfcT

FOURTH.

SOLID PRINT.
CAN BE

IMITATED.

IN genuine work the lettering is done by a first-class
artist, who makes it his exclusive employment, and therefore arrives at a high degree of perfection. The name of
the engraving company is always engraved upon the genuine with great care and accuracy. It will be found on the
upper or lower margin of the bill. In counterfeits, it is
more or less irregular and uneven." The chief use of solid
print is to prevent alterations, as will be hereafter explained.
It is classed as capable of imitation, because a good artist
can engrave it for counterfeiters, if so disposed, as well as
for the regular engraving companies. A specimen of solid
print will be seen on the one dollar greenbacks, with the
words " o n e dollar" engraved thereon. Much has been said in
some "Detectors" about the lettering of "Promise to pay,"
etc., as being nearly infallible. The truth is, however, that
this is of little value, being frequently very neatly done in
counterfeit notes. Some State bank-bills have the denomination of the bill engraved in very fine letters across the whole
or part of the face of the bill, — one dollar, one dollar, one
dollar, etc. This, in the genuine, produces a perfectly even
shade of black, green, red, or otherwise, according to the
color of ink used; but in the counterfeit cannot be so well
produced; and, therefore, the shade will be lighter in some
places, and darker in others. This latter form of using the
solid print is not used on Government notes.
3

(17)

S E C T I O N

F I F T H .

THE PERKINS PLATE.
THE Perkins Stereotype Plate is an engine-ruled die; and
on the face of the note does not differ from other work of
this kind, as described in Section Second. Its chief characteristic is the check hack^ composed of various sizes and kinds
of type thrown together in a most confused manner, and
then arranged in ovals, bars, etc., covering the back of the
note. It is usually printed in reddish-brown or black. For
a long time this was also thought to be a nearly perfect
safeguard; but it has been imitated, and is now mostly superseded, even on State bank-notes, by the more beautiful
designs of the geometric lathe.

(18)

IPILA^IE %,
Right end of face of $5 National Currency

JEmiAJA ZJ'JJIJ MYWrnUEi V DJfflESJENT&K,

€®3>aE3&znr,jxjrw W-LDJBOK.

Right end of back vignette. $5 National Currency.

SIECTIOIN"

S I X T H .

MINOR RULES.
W E will now give some indications
infallible, are important.

which, though

not

PRINTING.

Genuine bank-notes are always printed with great care.
The plate is covered with ink, which is then carefullywiped off, excepting what remains in the lines of the engraving; the impression is then taken with a powerful
press, with great care and accuracy.
This gives a clear
and beautiful impression, which will be more or less wanting in counterfeits.
INK.

The ink used in genuine bank-note printing is of peculiar quality, and very difficult for counterfeiters to obtain.
If black, it gives a clear, glossy impression, without any
smutty appearance, such as is sometimes seen in counterfeits. The green ink used in Government work is almost
impossible to imitate; and the red and other colors are
almost as difficult. Genuine ink of any color has a more
or less clear and glossy appearance, while counterfeit inks
look dull and muddy.
(19)

20

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR.

PAPER.

Genuine bank-notes are printed upon paper composed of
linen, and it is usually of good quality. It varies much
in thickness, it being sometimes very thin. Persons who
are not acquainted with paper sometimes pronounce the thin
paper poor. W e have seen one of the beautifully-engraved
notes of the Suffolk Bank, Boston, looked upon with suspicion by persons unacquainted with the art herein taught,
simply because the paper ivas thin. It is, also, not impossible for counterfeiters to procure good paper Out of twelve
counterfeit notes now lying before us, four are upon very
poor paper, two upon rather poor paper, and six upon very
good paper; one at least of the latter is upon paper of the
first quality. It will be seen, therefore, that the paper,
though important, is not infallible.
SIGNATURES.

The only thing counterfeit about a bill sometimes is the
signatures, the notes having been stolen before they were
signed. There can be, of course, no sure protection against
this for all. Those who are well acquainted with the signatures of the officers of the bank where bills are stolen
may not be deceived, as imitated signatures have a more
or less cramped and unsteady appearance; but those who
live at a distance cannot possess this knowledge.

<Ma/& <?.
}7t/ue£/es VJI ./Ya/10/itt/

t'/Y/'/t/ltV/.A^fr'S

JUO.

<f.?a

i\\>r#i**tov*m*x&!.<!tm]itEB sjMfMmx

#/VO

SEOTIOK"

SZETVZEZtsTTIH:.

ALTERED BANK-NOTES.

are altered in two ways ; first, by raising the
denomination; second, by changing a genuine bill on a
broken bank to a good bank.
BANK-NOTES

Denominations are altered, first, by pasting.
Figures or
letters of larger denomination are pasted over the denominations of the note to be altered, first scraping the genuine
until thin. This can frequently be discovered by simply
examining it with a little care, and always by holding the
suspected note up to the light, when, if pasted, the pasted
parts will be darker, because thicker. A counterfeit $ 5 0
greenback has been recently made to look like a genuine,
by pasting on a portrait of Hamilton, cut from a genuine
$ 2 greenback.
Second, by taking oat the denomination of the genuine with an
acid, and printing in a higher with a counterfeit die. In this
case, the ink will not be the same as the original, as explained in Section Sixth; neither will the work compare
with the same. If solid print, it will not be as exact
and perfect; and if the original is shaded, the shading of
the counterfeit part will have the faults described in Section Second. For instance, the words ONE DOLLAR may be
changed to FIVE DOLLARS. In that case the five will be engraved by hand, and the dollar by genuine means; an S
must also be added, and the work will appear crowded.
(21)

22

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR.

Another indication is that the acid will spread a little,
taking out more than the counterfeiter intended, so that
parts of the neighboring letters will be more or less injured.
The paper, also, will be either bleached or stained by the
acid, as can be seen most plainly upon the back.
In the United States bills, or greenbacks, the ones, twos,
and threes have a circle of green lines radiating from the
denomination. . This circle can be found on no larger notes
than threes, if genuine. This is an additional safeguard
against altering United States notes. The solid print will
also be found defective, as described in Section Fourth.
The second kind of alteration — that of broken banks to
good ones — sometimes requires a close examination to detect them; but a good understanding of the principles here
taught will secure any one from deception. To make this
change, the name of the Bank and signatures of the officers
always have to be removed, and new ones inserted, and generally the name of the Town and sometimes of the State are
also changed. These must be removed by acid, and the work
inserted will be counterfeit, and will be recognized as such
by an application of the principles already taught. If the
letters are shaded, it will be done by hand and not by the
ruling engine, and will have the imperfections described in
Section Second. If solid print, the counterfeit will have the
faults given in Section Fourth.
Sometimes only a part of
the name is changed, and then the contrast between the
counterfeit and the part not changed is more evident. There
will also be marks of the acid, the same marks mentioned
above, and the counterfeit signatures are apt to be faded,
from some acid remaining in the paper, after removing the
original signature.

zvatc^.

i y — a s

SZEOTIOICsr

E I G H T H .

GENERAL DIRECTIONS.

IN receiving bank-bills, first look at the general appearance
of the bill, — casting your eye across it, — and if anything is
wrong, it will probably catch your eye. Then examine the
various parts more perfectly, examining the geometrical lathe
work. Then examine the shading of the letters, — the ruling
engine work, — and look for any indication of alteration in
the title or denomination of the note. Examine the Vignettes
and Portraits, noticing whether their style and perfection compare well with the standard work of the plates, and whether
they are exactly the same. If there is engine ruling in the
sky or water, you will have an additional proof. An examination of the solid print and engravers' names will confirm
the decision, whatever it may be ; and the printing, ink, and
paper may also be considered in making a full decision.
Such an examination of a note, with a very little practice,
and a frequent reference to these standard plates, will secure
any man of ordinary observation and intelligence against deception.

(23)

SEOTIOlsT

1TIUTH.

PARTICULAR DIRECTIONS.
FOR

DETECTING

COUNTERFEIT

GREENBACKS, NATIONAL

FRACTIONAL

CURRENCY NOTES, AND

CURRENCY.

IN receiving the note, look at the general appearance, and
if it is not perfectly satisfactory, compare it with the corresponding work in the book, as you will find parts of all the
circulating notes (Greenbacks, National, and Fractional Currency, up to $ 1,000) in this work, and if, on comparison, it
does not come up fully to the standard, it must be counterfeit. One of the most successful counterfeits ever executed
is the $ 50 U. S. Greenback, which has deceived some of the
most experienced. Certain parts of the genuine work are in
this book, on Plate No. 2 ; and a person, having the book
and magnifier, can, upon comparison, discover the difference
at once.
In presenting to the public two plates of Scrip, or Fractional Currency, we wish to say that the 50 cent Scrip (which
is the second on the plates) is the best executed counterfeit
ever issued. It was engraved by a man who was an expert
in the art, as thousands who have been made dupes to his
nefarious designs can testify. H e was finally arrested by the
Secret Service Division, convicted, his plates secured, and his
illegal business broken up.

(24)

Plate 10

Lc/t erubofback$/000.

'Right

end of back $500.

SIECTIOIfcT

TEIiTTS:.

REMARKS.
W E will add here a few suggestions, hints, and items,
which, although important, could not be added elsewhere
without confusing the mind of the learner.
GENUINE

DIES

ON COUNTERFEIT

BILLS.

A genuine lathe die will sometimes be seen on a counterfeit bill. The die so used may have been stolen, * although
that is very difficult to do, as all such work is guarded by
the best of safes and other protections, or it may be one of
the lot that was sold at auction in New York, in 1841, and
some of which fell into the hands of counterfeiters. These
dies, however, do not render the other work genuine. The
ruling of the letters, solid print, in short, all the other work
on the bill will be counterfeit, — and a single piece of counterfeit work condemns the bill. Some of those auction dies
were vignettes,—so that even the geometrical lathe dies and
vignette may be genuine work, yet the ruling and other work
will be enough to condemn the note. This applies only to
State bank-bills.
CHECK

BACKS.

The work upon the back of bills is usually done by the
geometrical lathe (except the Perkins Plate), and therefore
4

(25)

26

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR.

comes under Section First. A beautiful specimen of check
back is seen upon the Government notes, the " greenbacks;"
we mention it here to remark that bills with check backs are
rarely altered or counterfeited.
If counterfeited, the check
back is often omitted. In attempting to alter such bills, the
acid strikes through and destroys part of the back, which
cannot be replaced. If the alteration be in the denomination,
it will have to be altered in the back, also, as it is usually
expressed there, and such an alteration would be likely to
stain through upon the face.
It will sometimes be noticed that two bank-notes that should
be alike differ somewhat in size, one being a little shorter
than the other; and this may excite some suspicion. It is
owing, however, to a little shrinkage of the paper, after printing, and happens as often to genuine bills as any.
PIECING.

Some counterfeiters make ten bills of nine, by cutting a
counterfeit note into ten pieces; one of these pieces is pasted
into a genuine bill, cutting out a piece of the genuine of the
same size. In pasting nine genuine bills in this manner, nine
pieces are obtained, which, with one piece of counterfeit, will
make a tenth bill, which is the profit. Banks will redeem the
genuine parts of such bills at their fractional value. This
operation is not a very successful one, as the difference between the counterfeit and the genuine will be very evident
to any one who possesses a knowledge of the art here taught.
To hide this difference, they generally deface the counterfeit
part somewhat, and give the note a worn appearance.
The new National Currency, which has nearly taken the

uGSSff

^m^^kSsr

r

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTEKFEIT DETECTOR.

27

place of all other issues, except United States notes, is supposed by some to be entirely secure from counterfeiting, and,
therefore, that no knowledge of detecting will be necessary,
and no care in receiving such bills will be required. Such,
however, is not the case. It is true that the remarkable
excellence and abundance of the work upon the Government and National Currency, and the difficulty of imitating
the green, will render counterfeiting very difficult. It should
be remembered that this currency offers great inducements to
counterfeiters, and a successful counterfeit will repay great
outlay and care, — for two reasons: first, the greenbacks will
go anywhere in the United States, and if a counterfeit becomes known in one State or section, it can be taken to
another; while counterfeits on local banks, when once known,
are killed; and second, a plate may be prepared to counterfeit the currency of the National Bank in one town, may
be run upon that till known, and then with simply a
change in the title of the bank, be immediately changed
to another bank, and thus, as fast as it becomes known,
can go through all the banks in the United States, thus
having an opportunity for sixteen hundred changes, thereby
increasing the chances of success sixteen hundred times.
The fifty cent postal and fractional currency is already
freely counterfeited; yet hundreds of such counterfeits pass
without any question, where the application of the first rule
in this work would detect the fraud; the lathe work would
condemn them in an instant.
These facts are not mentioned to depreciate our new currency in any way, but to warn the public against a false
security, and thus most effectually head off the rascally

28

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR.

authors of counterfeit issues, by forewarning and forearming
the people. Every man, woman, and child has occasion to
handle more or less money; and if all would possess themselves of the knowledge here taught, counterfeiting would
soon become a profitless business. W e want to see a knowledge of this art in every place of business, — yes, in every
house and cottage in the country. It has long been our
business and our pleasure to forewarn and defend the people against the miscreants who tamper with the commercial
life-blood of the nation, defrauding the poor, the widows,
and the fatherless of their scanty store, and giving to all
vexation and loss in place of security and profit; and we
hope to still further disarm and paralyze them, by a more
general diffusion of the knowledge of this art, by means
of this work. Vigilant officers of police may do much to
guard the community, but their most painstaking vigilance
is not always successful; while a general knowledge of detecting bank-notes by the engraving will root out the very fangs
of the serpent, — Counterfeiting.

S E C T I O N

E L E Y E I T T H .

MICROSCOPIC OK MAGNIFYING GLASS.
THE beautiful fine lines required in the engraving of all
bank-bills, even in moderately well-executed counterfeits require the aid of the microscopic glass, and sometimes a
microscope of great power is absolutely indispensable in order
to discern the genuine line, and discriminate between the true
and the false work. The ordinary magnifying glass now in
use by banks has failed, in many instances, to bring out
this delicate work sufficiently to detect some of the late
skilfully-executed counterfeits. In order, therefore, to meet
this difficulty, I have, after much labor, invented a combination Micro-telescopic Glass, and in May, -1866, secured letters patent on the same, which is designed for use and sale
with the "Detector."
This glass is a fine magnifier, a powerful microscope, and
spy, or opera glass. By a simple change, this instrument is
convertible into either one of the above-named glasses, and
is very useful at all times, and for other purposes than the
detection of counterfeits, and will be worth the cost for
family use as an opera glass or microscope.
Fig. 1 shows the Glass as put up for sale. Fig. 2 shows
it as a microscope. In using it for this purpose you must
have a good light, and have it shine direct on the object
you wish to examine, first placing the object on a piece of
(29)

30

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR,

white paper; then adjust the glass to the right focus by
sliding the smaller section. Fig. 3 shows the section used
for examining notes and other things of a like description.
Fig. 4 shows it as used for a spy-glass.
These glasses, now being manufactured in Paris, will be
furnished with or without the " Detector," by mail, pre-paid,
at the following prices: —
Lower Section or Magnifying Portion, $ 3.00.
Upper Section combining Microscopic and Telescopic, $ 5.00.
Making the whole " Combination Glass " $ 8.00.
If only one section is wanted at first, the other portion
can be ordered at any future time.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

SERGEANT AT ARMS OFFICE,
U. S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WASHINGTON, D. C , Dec. 1st,

1866.

LABAN HEATH, ESQ., has spent much time and labor in the perfection of his system for the detection of Counterfeit Currency,
and, if properly encouraged by those most interested, I have no
doubt will be able to aid the public materially in driving out of
existence the numerous dangerous Counterfeits that are now afloat.
I can cheerfully recommend Mr. Heath as an upright, energetic
man.
N. G. ORDWAY,
/Sergeant at Arms, XI. /S. House of Representatives.

I concur in the foregoing recommendation.
CHARLES B. HALL,
Secretary of the Association of Banks for the suppression of
Counterfeiting.
BOSTON, MASS.

U. S. HOUSE OF .REPRESENTATIVES,
WASHINGTON, D. C ,

Dec.

1st,

1866.

The undersigned, having examined the Proof Sheets and Plates
of Heath's "Government Detector," concur in the utility of his
system, and cheerfully recommend his work.
(31)

32

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Hiram Price, President State Bank, Iowa, M. C , 2d Dist.,
Iowa.
J. B. Grinnell, M. C , 4th Dist., Iowa.
T. W. Ferry, Banker, and M. C , 4th Dist., Michigan.
Charles Upsom, M. C , 2d Dist., Michigan.
Columbus Deleno, President 1st National Bank, Mount Vernon,
and M. C , 13th Dist., Ohio.
James M. Ashley, M. C , 10th Dist., Ohio.
Francis C. LeBlond, M. C , 5th Dist., Ohio.
Sidney Clark, M. C , Kansas.
Delos E. Ashley, M. C , Nevada.
Thomas N. Stillwell, Cashier 1st National Bank of Anderson,
and M. C , 11th Dist., Indiana.
Godlove S. Orth, M. C , 8th Dist., Indiana.
Shelby M. Cullum, M. C , 8th Dist., Illinois.
John Wentworth, M. C , 1st Dist., Illinois.
General H. E. Paine, M. C , 1st Dist., Wisconsin.
Philetus Sawyer, M. C , 5th Dist., Wisconsin.
Henry T. Blow, M. C , 2d Dist., Missouri.
John Hogan, M. C , 1st Dist., Missouri.
George W. Anderson, M. C , 9th Dist., Missouri.
Ignatius Donnelly, M. C , 2d Dist., Minnesota.
Adam J. Glossbrenner, M. C , 15th Dist., Pennsylvania.
Myers Strouse, M. C , 10th Dist., Pennsylvania.
George V. Lawrence, M. C , 24th Dist., Pennsylvania.
Edmund Cooper, M. C , 4th Dist., Tennessee.
Samuel McKee, M. C , 9th Dist., Kentucky.
General Lovell H. Rousseau, M. C , 5th Dist., Kentucky,
Charles E. Phelps, M. C , 3d Dist., Maryland.
John L. Thomas, M. C , 2d Dist., Maryland.
John A. Nicholson, M. C , Dover, Delaware.
George Latham, M. C , 2d Dist., Western Virginia.
John F . Starr, M. C , 1st Dist., New Jersey.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

33

William A. Newell, M. C , 2d Dist., New Jersey.
John H. D. Henderson, M. C.a Oregon.
D. C. McEuer, M. C , California.
Theodore M. Pomroy, M. C , 24th Dist., N. Y., and Chairman
Com. on Banking and Currency.
William E. Dodge, M. C , 8th Dist., New York.
Daniel Morris, M. C , 25th Dist., New York.
John A. Griswold, President Troy City National Bank, and M.
C , 15th Dist., New York.
Calvin T. Hulburd, M. C , 17th Dist., New York.
Hamilton Ward, M. C 27th Dist., New York.
Henry C. Deming, M. C , 1st. Dist., Connecticut.
Augustus Brandegee, M. C , 3d Dist., Connecticut.
James G. Blaine, M. C , 3d Dist., Maine.
Samuel Hooper, M. C , 4th Dist., Massachusetts.
Thomas A. Jencks, M. C , 1st Dist., Ehode Island.
James W. Patterson, M. C , 3d Dist., New Hampshire.
Edward H. Eollins, M. C , 2d Dist., New Hampshire.
Portus Baxter, M. C , 3d Dist., Vermont.
P . W. Hitchcock, Delegate in Congress, Nebraska.
W. H. Hooper,
«
«
*
Utah.
w
w
Arthur H. Denny,
*
Ter'y of Washington.
w
w
Samuel McLean,
"
Montana.
w
w
J. F . Chaves,
*
New Mexico.
w
tt
John N. Goodwin, w
Arizona.
5

RECOMMENDATIONS.

OFFICE OF AMEKICAN BANK-NOTE COMPANY,
BOSTON,

June 23, 1864.

The "Counterfeit Detector," published by Mr. Heath, is all that
it purports to be. The engravings, by which it is illustrated, are
the true standard of work to be found on genuine notes. I fully
approve of the work.
ISAAC CAEY, Manager.

SUFFOLK BANK, BOSTON,

June 21, 1864.

I have examined the " Counterfeit Detector" just issued by Mr.
Laban Heath. The ability to detect counterfeit and altered notes
is the result only of experience in the application of fixed rules,
which he very.clearly explains. I consider it the best work on the
subject ever offered to the public.
E. R. RUSSELL, Foreign Money Teller.

BANK OF MUTUAL REDEMPTION,
BOSTON,

June 21*, 1864.

I consider Mr. Heath's " Counterfeit Detector" a valuable work.
A study of the rules laid down by him for the detection of counterfeit and altered Bank-Notes will enable any person to become
a good judge of money.
C. B. BRADBURY, Sup.
(34)

Foreign Money

Dep.

35

RECOMMENDATIONS.

FROM BANK O F F I C E R S .

CHICOPEE BANK, SPRINGFIELD, NOV. 1,

1864.

I have examined the "Counterfeit Detector," published by L .
Heath. I think it is one of the best works ever published, to
detect counterfeit money.
I do not hesitate in recommending it to all business men, or
persons that handle bank-bills.
L E W I S WARNER, Teller.

MANUFACTURERS' AND TRADERS' BANK,
PORTLAND,

June 28, 1864.

We consider Mr. Heath's work a valuable aid to any one who
will examine the principles of engraving, and compare counterfeit
bills with the true. With this help, careful study and attention
will enable most young persons to become good judges of paper
currency.
E . GOULD, Cashier.
W . H . STEPHENSON, Cashier Mech. Bank.
W M , E D W . GOULD, Cashier Internal Bank.
G E O . C. P E T E R S , Teller Canal Bank.

BANK OF CUMBERLAND, PORTLAND,

July 1, 1864.

I have examined the w Counterfeit Detector," published by Mr.
Heath, and consider it a very valuable aid in the detection of counterfeit bills.
SAMUEL SMALL, Cashier.

36

RECOMMENDATIONS.

FROM CASHIERS O F BANKS IN BANGOR.

TRADERS' BANK, BANGOR,

Sept. 20, 1864.

It concerns every person to know whether the money he is handling every day is counterfeit or genuine.
The idea generally prevails that only the few experienced money
dealers and professional experts are capable of distinguishing the
good from the bad. But the system taught by Mr. LABAN H E A T H
establishes the fact that every person may readily acquire the art.
As an aid to the living teacher, I consider the little Manual
prepared by Mr. Heath invaluable; and, indeed, its instructions
and explanations are so clear and full, and the engraved illustrations so perfect, that its thorough study will enable any person to
determine the character of any paper money at sight.
E . TRASK,

Cashier.

W E fully concur in the foregoing sentiments expressed by Mr.
Trask.
W M . J . LORD, Cashier of Veasie Bank.
J O H N WYMAN,
"
" First National Bank.
M. T. STIOKNEY, "
" Merchants'Bank.
J O H N S. RIOKER, "
" Mercantile Bank.
T. S. DODD,
"
" Kenduskeag Bank.
W.H.MILLS,
"
" Eastern Bank.
W . H . PARSONS, "
" Farmers' Bank.
W . S. DENNETT, "
" Second National Bank.
G E O . J . W A L L , Clerk Sanford's Independent line steamers,

RECOMMEND ATIONS.

37

NOTICES OF THE PEESS.

Laban Heath, teacher of
counterfeit detecting, has published a book, describing the method
by which counterfeit and altered bank-notes may be known at
once. The work has been commended by the Suffolk Bank and
Bank of Mutual Eedemption in this city, and contains much valuable information, especially for young men who are qualifying
themselves to be cashiers in large houses. All parts of genuine
notes, with a few exceptions, are engraved by machinery, while
nearly all parts of counterfeit notes are engraved by hand, because the machines are too expensive and too cumbersome for a
business which has to be carried on in secret, and may at any
time be broken up by the police. The machine does its work
neatly and exactly; the result of the workman's labors is rough
and unfinished, and presents radical blemishes, which can be detected by the practised eye. The application of this principle is
explained by Mr. Heath, with the aid of illustrations executed by
the American Bank-Note Company.-—Boston Daily Advertiser.
THE

COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR. — Mr.

DETECTION OF SPURIOUS BANK-NOTES.—An infallible guide to
aid in the detection of counterfeit bank-notes has long been desired by business men. Mr. Laban Heath has recently published
a little volume which seems to entirely satisfy this want. In compiling this book, he has been favored with engravings from the
Bank Note Cos., with which he is enabled to give to every merchant and accountant a standard of genuine bank-note engravings,
by which he may compare all bills coming into his hands, and
readily detect the worthless. This system has received the highest testimonials and therefore is entitled to the greatest confidence.—Portland Daily Press.

38

RECOMMENDATIONS.

FKOM HUNT'S MERCHANTS' MAGAZINE.
N E W YORK, October, 1864.

— The only
infallible method of detecting counterfeit, spurious, and altered
bank-notes, and applicable to all banks in the United States
and Canadas, as now in circulation or that may be issued, with
genuine bank-note designs, by the American Bank-Note Co.

HEATH'S INFALLIBLE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR AT SIGHT.

Boston: LABAN H E A T H .

1864.

" A N Y reliable method of detecting spurious notes in these days
of paper currency, when counterfeiting might almost be said to
form a regular business, is a matter of importance to every individual ; how much more so is it, when the method is so simple
as to be understood by every one who will take the trouble to
examine it, and so infallible as to detect the most carefully prepared counterfeit, even on the first application of the test. Mr.
HEATH'S method for detecting bad bills requires no knowledge of the
different banks, which are scattered as thick as blackberries all over
the country; but the fineness of the work is made to tell whether
the bill is good or bad. Genuine bank-notes are prepared by one
or the other of the great Bank-Note Companies, whose machinery
is exceedingly costly, and whose engraving is of the very finest
description. No engraving done by hand can equal that done by
this machinery, and no counterfeiter would care to invest $75,000
to $150,000 in an illegitimate business, which, if discovered, —
and on account of the bulk of the machinery it would be difficult to conceal it, — would not only result in a total loss of
capital, but subject him, also, to a criminal's punishment. There
are, also, ways given to detect altered bills, and the book is
illustrated by very beautiful specimens of bank-note engraving.
I t will be found very useful to those who would rather carry
good than bad money in their pockets."

RECOMMENDATIONS.

39

UNITED STATES TREASURY, CURRENCY DEPARTMENT,
NEW YORK, January 15, 1867.

I have
lished by
familiarize
ment and

examined the "Government Counterfeit Detector" pubMr. Heath, and consider it a very valuable work to
the public in the detection of counterfeits on GovernNational Notes.
P. C. FIELD, Receiving Teller.

Fig; i.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 3.