' PSYWAR CURRENCY' LEAFLETS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02741947
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: December 14, 2021
• Case Number: F-2019-00574
• Publication Date: October 30, 1972

Approved for Release: 2021/11/15 CO2741947
SE TMNSITIVE
SAVA 620
MEMORANDUM FOR : Deputy Director for Plans
SUBJECT
REFERENCE
"Psywar Currency" Leaflets
3 0 OCI
WitkID INK
:FR RAE
100 L..- r F
Memorandum from Special Ass*Oltn4NkorjEs
Vietnam Affairs dated 16 OctWernTY72,
Same Subject
1. Subject leaflets and authentic currency exemplars
attached to reference memorandum have been examined by the
Technical Services Division. We share the opinion stated
in Mr. Carver's memorandum that the leaflet currency fac-
similies do not represent a serious attempt at counterfeiting.
2. They are, however, a few degrees more sophisticated
than might be expected of a psywar instrument of this nature
and do have the propaganda text appended in a manner that
invites detachment. The graphics technique employed is typ-
ical of most low level counterfeiting operations and, except
for what we believe to be a static serial number on each de-
nomination, could be used by or passed to the unwary as gen-
uine currency. Accordingly, we agree that the leaflets could
indeed place burdens on the DRV's administrative and security
services in view of their overall appearance and the detach-
able design feature of the propaganda message.
3. A few of the more significant production differences
are described in an attachment to this corresponAmce.
Avice
utittilea
Sidney Gottlieb
Chief
Technical Services Division
Distribution:
0 1 - Addressee
1 - SAVA
E T/SENSITIVE
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PSYWAR CURRENCY LEAFLETS
GRAPHIC ANALYSIS
Leaflet Facsimile
I. PRINTING
a. Lathe Work/Picture Plates:
Offset Printing
b. Background Tint Plates:
1.) Wave Screen Tint.
Offset printing with part of
split fountain floral tint in-
corporated in same plate.
2.) Two Color Split Fountain
Floral Tint.
Not a true split fountain. One
color printed offset as part of
b.1.) (above). Second color
printed offset separately.
c. Serialization:
Offset printing, same number on
every note of each denomination.
Separate plate required for each
change of serialization,
d. Ink Colors:
4 color front (four plates)
3 color back (three plates)
II. PAPER
a. Daylight Color:
Cool White
b. Ultra Violet Reflectance:
Deep dull red (two sided)
Authentic Currency
Intaglio Printing
Wave Screen Tint only
Offset printing
Two colors printed simultane-
ously from one plate by offset
printing method. (Exception:
One Dong note is a wash tint,
not split fountain)
Letterpress printing. No
other printing process pro-
vides for consecutive or
changeable serialization with-
out plate change.
5 color front (three plates
and one numbering machine)
4 color back (three plates)
(Exception: One Dong Note)
Warm White
Bright Blue White (uniform
color)
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Leaflet Facsimile
c. Watermarks:
No watermarks
d. Caliper: (Averages)
Five Dong - .00378"
Two Dong - .00388"
One Dong - .00374"
e. Finish:
Smooth
III. GENERAL COMMENTS
Authentic Currency
Five Dong note is watermarked
.00384" (difference .00004")
.00438" (difference .00050")
.00466" (difference .00092")
Fiberous (typical of intaglio
printed papers)
High quality process photography was employed in facsimile pro-
duction requiring little or no hand retouching except for simulation
of split fountain tints. These tints required the greatest amount
of hand retouch work. The solution to circumventing a true split
fountain printing is imaginative. Printing characteristics reflect
reasonably good quality control in press work for offset duplication
of delicate intaglio imagery, particularly in consideration of prob-
able large volume production.
-2-
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Approved for Release: 2021/11/15 CO2741947