STANDARDS OF EXEMPLARS identify by initiating each, and request subjects to

sign each specimen.

A. STANDARDS - They are known writings, which 6. Observe all writing done by subjects and indicate
indicate how a person writes. A writer manifests any attempt of disguise, and whether subjects
fixed writing habits that identify him. This fact appears to be normally right or left handed, etc.
provides basis for an opinion of conclusion
regarding any writing identification problem. SPECIAL PROCEDURE FOR TAKING REQUEST
HANDWRITING STANDARDS WHERE CHECKS
B. EXEMPLARS - Specimen of the writing of FORGERY IS CHANGED OR SUSPECTED
suspects are commonly known as exemplars. The 1) Furnish subjects with check blanks similar to the
term standard is a general term referring to all questioned check/s.
authenticated writings of the suspects while 2) Dictate the entries to be made on specimen
exemplars refers more especially to a specimens checks as follows:
of standard writing offered in evidence or a. Date (same as shown on questioned check)
obtained or request for comparison with the b. Payee, Amount, Signature
questioned writing. c. Any other handwriting shown on questioned
check.
C. SAMPLE - A selected representative portion of 3) Give subjects to help or suggestions in completing
the whole is known as a sample. In this text, the specimen in checks.
term sample follows closely the statistical usage.
MISCELLANEOUS
TYPES OF HANDWRITING STANDARDS 1. The laboratory should be informed of the age
1. COLLECTED STANDARDS are KNOWN (genuine) apparent health and physical condition of the time
handwriting of an individual such as signature and standards are written.
endorsements on cancelled checks, legal papers, 2. Do not fold, staple or pin document: handle
commercial, official, public and private document questioned documents with care.
and other handwriting such as letters, 3. Indicate in the sample handwriting the time,
memoranda, etc. Written in the course of daily place, date signature of writer as well as witness
life, both business and socials. of handwriting.
2. REQUEST STANDARDS are signature or other
handwriting (OR HANDPRINTINGS) written by an SOME SOURCES OF SIGNATURES WRITTEN IN
individual upon request for the purpose of THE COURSE OF DAILY AFFAIRS
comparison with other handwriting or for a) Cancelled checks
specimen purpose. b) Signature cards for saving, checking and charge
3. POST LITEM MOTAM EXEMPLARS writings accounts and safe deposit boxes.
produced by the subject after evidential writings c) Credit application and cards
have come into dispute and solely for the purpose d) Signature on sales slips, on job orders slips,
of establishing his contentions. requisition slips and purchase slips.
e) Court records and affidavits, such as
TYPES OF STANDARDS DESIRABLE FOR naturalization papers, bankruptcy proceedings,
COMPARISON USE IN TWO MOST COMMON TYPES divorce papers, divorce papers.
OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS PROBLEMS f) Probated wills and estate files, powers of attorney,
1) Submit collected and requested standards etc.
signature from both individual case. g) Passports, marriage application, license and
2) When anonymous letter writings other than affidavits.
signature are in questioned: h) Driver automobile chauffeur, and other types of
a. Submit request standards writings of general licensee applications.
nature from both victim and suspect’s (as i) Application for gas, electricity, water and
much standards writing as possible to obtain telephone services
within the reason). j) Loan application and receipts
b. Submit requested standards of the k) Records from currency exchanges, check-cashing
questioned text written (or printed)- at least 3 agencies and pawnshops.
writings by the suspect/s and in some l) Time sheets, payroll, pay receipts and personal
instanced by the victim. forms
m) Barangay registration, petitions
PROCEDURES FOR TAKING REQUESTED n) Signature for certain drug purchases, hotel
HANDWRITING STANDARDS registrations
1. Have subject seated in a natural position at table o) Church, club and professional society record
or desk having smooth writing surface. p) Veteran records
2. Furnish subject with paper and writing instrument q) Fingerprint records
similar to those used in questioned writings, lie; r) School or university class records and cards
paper should be same size, and ruled or unruled ; s) Application for firearm and licenses
as questioned document: if questioned document t) Application for export and import and dollar
is written furnish subject with pen and ink, etc. allocations
3. Never permit the subject to see any writing on the u) ID cards
questioned document.
4. Dictate material to be written (or printed, if
questioned material is hand printed(: give no HOW TO PREPARE AND COLLECT HANDWRITING
assistance in spelling or arrangement on page. STANDARDS?
Dictate at a rate of speed, which will produce the
subject natural writing habits. FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN THE SELECTION OF
5. Remove each specimen upon completion by STANDARDS
subject number in consequence, date, time and A. THE AMOUNT OF STANDARD WRITTEN
B. SIMILARITY OF SUBJECT MATTER. If the questioned
writings are hand printed, then get hand printed EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL IN HANDWRITING
standard or exemplar. A. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFECTS - Intoxication
C. RELATIVE DATES of the questioned and the affects the physiological being of an individual
standards writing signatures or writing must be hence, the manner of handwriting is also affected.
those written five (5) years before or five (5) after B. EVIDENCE OF ALCOHOLIC INTOXICATION IN
the date of the questioned signature or writing. HANDWRITTING - Bizarre letter forms , greatly
D. CONDITION UNDER WHICH BOTH THE enlarged writing, illegible forms and writings
QUESTIONED AND THE STANDARD ARE generally, uneven baseline meaningless blobs or
PREPARED: Look for standards prepared under extraneous strokes in the writing, inconsistency in
comparable circumstances such as: paper rested the form of repeated letters.
on the knee; standing; sitting; lying down; and/or
while on moving vehicles. ADMISSIBILITY OF STANDARDS
E. WRITING INSTRUMENT AND PAPER: Same The following are standard writings which are
instrument used in the preparation of the admissible for comparison purposes:
questioned document must be obtained in the 1) Standard writings witnessed
standards. 2) Standard writings admitted
3) Record maintained in regular course of business
THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEMPORANEOUS as standard writings
STANDARDS ARE: 4) Government document as standard writings
 Helps to determine or trace gradual changes 5) Ancient writings
on one’s handwriting or signature. 6) Other writing Standards-Among writings
 Aids in tracing the development of any writing admissible as standard are signature on spelling
variation. motion or other instruments, such as an
appearance bond, which may without further
HANDWRITINGS/ SIGNATURES THAT ARE proof of genuineness be used as a standard.
DIFFICULT 7) Familiarity sometimes establishes standard
TO SOLVE - SOME PROBLEMS ARE COMPLICATED writings.
AND HARDER TO SOLVE THAT INCLUDES:
OPINION EVIDENCE
Types of Signature The court seem to be in general agreement that proof
1. Signature of the careless or highly erratic of the genuineness of a standard cannot be
writer. established by the opinion of experts testifying from a
2. Receipt signature. comparison of the writing sought to be used as
3. Near-illiterate writer. standard with another writing.
4. Signatures of Physical Impaired Writer.
5. The intoxicated signature GENUINENESS OF STANDARD DECIDED BY THE
6. Old age deterioration COURT
7. The sick bed signature The sufficiency of the proof of the genuineness of a
8. Disguised signature or writing standard of writing is a matter to be decided by the
court.
Remedy(Require Standards)
 Collected standards
 Other receipt signatures SIGNATURE
 Requested standards if writer is still living  It is in the name of a person written by him/her in
A. Collect standards written in the same a document as a sign of acknowledgement. Or, it
situation is a name or a mark that a person puts at the end
B. Collect 2 or 3 times more standards of a document to attest that he is its author or
C. Similar to old age deterioration that he ratifies its contents.
 Specimen written in normal condition could  Microsoft Encarta Reference Library : Signed
not be used therefore consider collected and name; signing of name; distinctive characteristics.
requested standards.
SIGNIFICANT TERMS
DISGUISES IN HANDWRITING
A. COMMON DISGUISES A. CROSSMARK: Historically, many who could not
1. Abnormally large writing. write signed with a cross or crude X. This
2. Abnormally small writing. authenticating mark is still used today by
3. Alteration in slant. illiterates, and if properly witnessed, it can legally
4. Usually variation in slant within a single unit or stand for a signature. Ballot marks are also
writing (with in a single signature) referred to as cross marks because of the
5. Printed forms instead of cursive forms. common practice of marking with an X.
6. Diminution in the usual speed of writing.
7. Unusual widening or restriction of lateral spacing. B. EVIDENTIAL SIGNATURE: Is not simply a
signature, signed at a particular time and place,
B. KINDS OF DISGUISES under a particular conditions, while the signer was
1) Change of slant - from right to left or vice versa. at a particular age, in a particular physical and
2) Change of letter, either from cursive to block style mental condition, using particular implements,
or voce versa. and with a particular reason and purpose for
3) Change from cursive (conventional style) to block recording his name.
form or vice versa.
4) Change of style from small to big or vice versa. C. FRAUDULENT SIGNATURE: A forged signature.
5) Deteriorating one’s handwriting. It involves the writing of a name as a signature by
6) Using the wrong hand (AMBIDEXTROUS). someone other than the person himself, without
 his permission, often with some degree of a. DIRECT TECHNIQUE - forger works directly with
imitation. ink.
b. INDIRECT - forger works with pencil and
D. FREEHAND SIGNATURE: A fraudulent signature afterwards covers the pencil strokes with ink.
that was executed purely by simulation rather
than by tracing the outline of a genuine signature. B. TRACED FORGERY(TRACED SIGNATURE)
a. DIRECT TRACING - tracing is made by
E. GUIDED SIGNATURE: A signature that is transmitted light.
executed while the writer’s hand or arm is b. INDIRECT TRACING - forger uses a carbon paper
steadied in any way. Under the law of most and place document n which he will trace the
jurisdictions such a signature authenticates a legal forged signature under the document bearing the
document provided it is shown that the writer model signature with a carbon paper between the
requested the assistance. Guided signature are two.
most commonly written during a serious illness or
on a deathbed. TYPES OF TRACED SIGNATURE ARE:
1. CARBON PROPCESS
F. IMITATED SIGNATURE: synonymous with 2. INDENTATION PROCESS
freehand signature. 3. TRANSMITTED LIGHT PROCESS

G. MODEL SIGNATURE: A genuine signature that C. SPURIOUS SIGNATURE (SIMPLE FORGERY)

has been used to prepare an imitated or traced Forger does not try to copy a model but writes
forgery. something resembling what we ordinarily call a
signature. For this purpose, he uses a false (spurious)
H. THEORY OF COMPARISON: The act of setting name and makes a rapid stroke, disturbing his usual
two or more signature in an inverted position to writing by adopting a camouflage called DISGUISE.
weigh their identifying significance, the reason
being that those we fail to see under normal D. FORGERY BY MEANS OF A STAMPED
comparison may readily be seen under this FASCIMILE OF A GENUINE OR MODEL
theory.
E. FORGERY BY COMPUTER SCANNING
THE EXAMINATION OF SIGNATURES IS
CONSIDERED A SPECIALIZED BRANCH OF
HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION, FOR THE SUGGESTED STEPS IN THE EXAMINATION OF
FOLLOWING REASONS: SIGNATURE
1. A signature is a word most practiced by many
people and therefore most fluently written.  STEP 1: Place the questioned and standard
2. A signature is a means to identify a person and signature in the juxta-position or side by side for
have a great personal significance. simultaneous viewing of the various elements
3. A signature is written with little attention to and characteristics.
spelling and some other details.  STEP 2: The first element to be considered is the
4. A signature is a word written without conscious handwriting movement or the manner of
thought about the mechanics of its production and execution (slow, deliberate, rapid, etc.). The
is written automatically. fundamental difference existing between a
5. A signature is the only word the illiterate can write genuine signature and an almost perfect forgery
with confidence. is in the manner of execution.
 STEP 3: Sound elements to examine id the
TYPES OF SIGNATURES quality of the line, the presence or tremors,
A. FORMAL (Conventional Copybook Form) - smooth fluent or hesitation. Defect in line
completed correct signature for an important quality is only appreciated when simultaneous
document such as a will. viewing is made.
B. INFORMAL (Cursory) - usually for routine  STEP 4: Examine the beginning and ending lines,
documents and personal correspondence. they are very significant, determine whether the
C. CARELESS SCRIBBLE - for the mail courier, appearance is blunt, club-shaped, tapered or
delivery boy or the autograph collector. vanishing.
 STEP 5: Design and structure of the letters-
TAKE NOTE: Forgery is, strictly speaking, a legal term Determine as to roundness, smoothness,
which involves not only a non-genuine document but angularity and direction. Each individual has a
also and intent to fraud. However, it is also used different concept of letter design.
synonymously with fraudulent signature or spurious  STEP 6: Look for the presence of retouching or
document. patching.
 STEP 7: Connecting strokes, slant, ratio, size,
CLASSES OF FORGED SIGNATURES lateral spacing.
A. SIMULATED OR FREEHAND IMITATION  STEP 8: Do not rely so much in the similarity or
FORGERY difference of the capital letters, for these are
 executed purely by simulation rather than by the often changed according to the whim of the
tracing the outline of a genuine signature. writer.
 it refers to the free-hand drawing in imitation of
model signature.
 used by forgers who have a certain skill in writing.
After some practice, the forger tries to write a CHARACTERISTICS/PRINCIPLES THAT SUPPLY
copy of the model quickly. MOST CASES:
1. Pen Pressure
2. Movement
 3. Proportion  Forensic and Criminalistics Consultancy
4. Unusual distortion of the forms of letter  Sta. Cruz, Manila
5. Inconspicuous characteristics  Fax : (632) 711-8852
6. Repeated characteristics  Email Address: cepaa.forensic_cc.com
7. Characteristics written with speed  Mobile Phone No.: 09367824719

INDICATION OF GENUINESS
1) Carelessness Punishment of Counterfeiters
2) Spontaneity tracing  Counterfeiting of Philippine money carries a jail
3) Alternation of thick and thin strokes sentence of at least 12 years and a day, and a
4) Speed maximum fine of P2 million.
5) Simplification
6) Upright letters are interspersed with slanting
letters Definition of Terms
7) The upward strokes to a threadlike A. ANACHRONISM: It refers to something wrong in
8) Rhythm time and in place. This means that the forger has
9) Good Line Quality trouble matching the paper, ink, or writing
10) Variation materials to the exact date it was supposed to
have been written.
INDICATIONS OF SIMULTED (Direct & Indirect B. PAPER: These are sheets of interlaced fibers-
Techniques) usually cellulose fibers from plants, but
& TRACED FORGERIES sometimes from cloth rags or other fibrous
1. Tremulous and broken connecting strokes materials, that is formed by pulping the fibers and
between letters, indicating points at which the causing to felt, or mat to form a solid surface.
writer has temporarily struck. C. WATERMARK: Certain papers are marked with a
2. No rhythm. translucent design, a watermarks impresses in
3. Carefulness or unusual care and deliberation. them during the course of their materials.
4. No contrast between upward and downward D. WRITING MATERIALS: Any material used
strokes. primarily for writing or recording such as papers,
5. Slow writing - angular writing. cardboard papers, Morocco Paper, [Link]
6. Blunt beginning and ending. common (probable) questioned on paper is its
7. Placement of diacritical marks just over the stem age, whether the actual age of the paper
of letters. corresponds with the alleged date of preparation
8. Absence of spontaneity-lack of smoothness of of the questioned document.
letters
9. Restrained writing- there is lack of freedom or HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
“inhibited” movements that gives the impression a) PAPYRUS
that every stroke is made with great difficulty.  This came into use about 3,500 BC. People of
This writing is small. Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Southern Europe used
10. No variation. the pith (soft spongy tissue of the stem) of the
sedge grass-like herb) CYPERUS PAPYRUS to make
INDICATIONS OF SIMPLE OR SPURIOUS FORGERY a writing material known as PAPYRUS.
 Writing habits of the writer (forger) is evident in
the forged signature. b) PARCHMENT
 Writing material made from skin of animals
INDICATIONS OF FORGERY BY MENAS OF primarily sheep, calves or goats.
STAMPED FASCIMILE OF A GENUINE SIGNATURE  Was probably developed in the Middle East more
1) Flat strokes or less contemporaneously with papyrus. It came
2) No contrast between upstrokes and down strokes. into wide use only in the 2nd century B.C. in the
3) Deposit of ink at the junction of two strokes or City of PERGANUM in ANATOLIA.
where two strokes cross each other.
4) No variation - All signature will superimpose over c) VELLUM
each other.  Writing materials from fine skins from young
calves or kids and the term (name) was often used
PROCEDURE IN THE COMMON SIGNATURE for all kind of parchment manuscripts. It became
PROBLEMS the most important writing material for
A. GENUINE SIGNATURE WHICH THE WRITER bookmaking, while parchment continued for
REFUSES TO ADMIT NOT GENUINE: Generally, special manuscripts. Almost every portable
presence of tremors, remnants of carbon, surface that would retain the marks of brush or
retouching (patching) indicates forgery. Produced, pen was also used as a writing material during the
the probability of genuineness. early period.
B. GENUINE SIGNATURE DELIBERATELY
MODIFIED: Examination of this kinds of signature DEVELOPMENT OF PAPER MANUFACTURING
is confidently discover through modification and is 1. CAI LUN (TSAI LUN) – in about A.D. 105, he was
only on the prominent features of the letter the first t succeed in the invention and making
designs that are pointed out by the disclaimer, of paper from vegetable fibers, tree barks
while the rest appear to be normal. There are (mulberry tree), rags, old fish nettings.
unnatural tremors and retouching. The minute
details in genuine signatures are present. 2. Japanese acquired in the 7th century A.D. the art
of paper making.
PROTYPE FORMAT IN HANDWRITING
IDENTIFICATION 3. SAMARKAND - the paper making of the Arab
 Camara, Espiritu, Pacatang, Aripal and Associates World. In A.D. 751, the Arab City of Samarkand
 was attacked by marauding Chinese and some by the WATERMARK - a brand put on the paper by the
Chinese taken as prisoners were skilled in manufacturers.
papermaking and were forced by the city
Governor to build and operate a papermill. HOW WATERMARK IS MADE?
The watermark was made when the semi-fluid paper
4. Knowledge of papermaking traveled westward, pulp (mixture of cotton or other fibers) was being
spreading throughout the Middle East, the drained on a grid of laid (warp) and chain (woof) wires.
Moorish invasion of Spain led to the invention Fine wires forming the desired design were tied on top
(A.D. 1150) or erection of the first European of the grid and impressed into the pulp. This
paper mill, at JATIVA, province of VALENCIA. impression made the paper thinner, and more
transparent, where it appeared.
5. Knowledge of the technology spread quickly and
by 16th century, paper was manufactured ORIGIN OF WATERMARK
throughout most of Europe.  1270 - Watermarks first appeared on papers
produced in Italy . Less than 100 years after the
6. The first paper mill in England was established in art of papermaking was introduced to Europe by
1495. Muslims from the Middle East.
 Early in the 19th Century - papermakers began
7. The first such mill in America in 1690. to solder the watermark wires to the grid frame,
thus insuring uniformity of impression and aiding
8. Nicholas Louis Robert – a French inventor ,the in the detection of counterfeiting and forgery.
first practical machine was made in 1798.  The first British postage stamps of 1840 bore a
watermark, but stamps of the United States were
9. Brothers Henry Fourdrinier and Sealy not so marked until 1895. When paper began to
Fourdrinier - in 1803, they improved Robert’s be machine-made, the watermark wiring was
machine, and it became their machine that bear simply transferred to the grid cover of the dandy
their name. roll.
 DANDY ROLL - a turning cylinder that passed
10. The solution of the problem of making paper over the paper.
from cheap raw materials was achieved by the
introduction of the groundwood process of pulp CONCEPT OF DOCUMENT’S AGE DETECTION
making about 1840 and the first of the chemical THRU WATERMARKS
pulp processes approximately ten years later. A. Sometimes a LIMIT may be placed to the age of
the document by means of watermark, the
11. CHLORINE - This was introduced in the 19th earliest known dating from 1282. Unfortunately,
century for bleaching and colored linen could however, not all papers contain watermarks.
already be manufactured for paper. B. It is impressed into the paper by wires on the
rollers called “DANDY ROLL” that make the paper
12. ESPARTO - This is a grass grown in Libya, also and these designs are changed from time to time.
in Spain and North Africa was first introduced in C. Usually watermarks are requested by their
England in 1861. owners/manufacturers with the patent office.
D. If present, watermark is one of the most reliable
13. STRAW - This was used to make paper in 1800. means of tracing the age of the paper. However,
the questioned documents examiner’s finding is
14. SULPHITE - This is a paper from wood was not limited only to the APPROXIMATE DATE (YEAR) of
attempted untilm1869 and paper called the paper manufacture.
SULPHITE (modern type) was first used between E. In determining the age of the paper by
1880 and 1890. watermarks, it is necessary to ascertain the owner
of the watermark in question or its manufacturer.
15. OLDEST MANUSCRIPT - Letters dated A.D. F. In the FBI, this is done by checking the reference
874 have been found in Egypt and the oldest file of the laboratory. Once the manufacturer is
manuscript in England on cotton paper dated determined, then consideration is given to
AD 1890. changes in design and defects of individual
design.
TRACING THE AGE OF PAPER G. In recent years, some large manufacturers have
 The age of the document may be estimated from clearly incorporated inconspicuous changes in
paper. Four cases were reported by LUCAS where their watermark design in order to date their
the age of the document was established from the products.
compositor/composition of the paper. H. Obviously, document is fraud if it contains a
 In one of these cases, a document dated 1213 watermark that was not in existence at the time
A.H. (A.D. 1798) was found to be written on paper the document purports to have been executed.
composed entirely of chemically prepared wood
cellulose. Considering that this type of paper was IN CASE THE WATERMARK DID NOT CHANGE, THE
not introduced not until about 60 years later, the FOLLOWING IS APPLIED:
document is obviously a fake one. a. Consider any defect in the individual design may
furnish a clue as to the age of the paper.
b. The dandy roll, through constant usage, will
WATERMARKS EXAMINATION somehow be damaged. This damage is also known
WATERMARK: It is a term for a figure or design as caused by WEAR AND TEAR which becomes
incorporated into paper during its manufacture and progressively more and more as time goes by.
appearing lighter than the rest of the sheet when c. The damage on the dandy roll will leave some
viewed in transmitted light. The earliest way of peculiar markings on the watermark of the paper
identifying the date of the manufacture of the paper is
 manufactured or all papers that will pass through F. Quill Pens - It is a hollow, horny part of large
the damaged dandy roll. feather usually from goose and was used for
d. The investigator, carefully determining the distinct writing on parchment. Poland, Germany, Russia,
markings caused by the dandy roll’s damaged and the Netherlands were the largest producers of
surface, will coordinate with the paper quill.
manufacture regarding when such damage
occurred on the dandy roll used. G. Writing Instruments (Writing Implements) -
Writing Implements, manual devices used to make
DISCOLORATION alphanumeric marks on or in a surface. Peculiar
 One way of tracing the age of the paper is through to inscription is the removal of part of a surface to
the observance of the changes in its physical record such marks. The writing tool is usually
characteristics particularly DISCOLORATION. controlled by movement of the fingers, hand,
Naturally, a paper will discolor after a passage of wrist, and arm of the writer.
time due to numerous environmental factors such
as moisture, temperature, dust, etc. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
 In case of papers out of wood pulp, they A. REED PENS/SWAMP REED
start to discolor at edges from 2 to 3 years.  It came from especially selected water grasses
While RUG SHIP QUALITY papers, they are found in Egypt, Armenia and along the shores of
very old before discoloration starts. the Persian Gulf, were prepared by leaving them
under dung heaps for several months.
CAUSES OF DISCOLORATION  It was the first writing tool that had the writing
1. Due to process of oxidation brought about by end slightly frayed like a brush. About 2,000 years
natural means. B.C., this reed pen was first used in NEAR EAST on
2. Brown spots due to mold that are very obvious papyrus and later on parchment.
characteristics both in appearance and
distribution. B. QUILL PEN
3. Exposure to dust and dirt.  As the size of writing became smaller, both writing
4. Occasional staining of fruit juice. Grease. tools and surfaces changed. Vellum or parchment
5. Excrete of rats, mice and other insects. books replaced the papyrus roll, and the QUILL
6. May also due to heat, partial burning, etc. replaced the REED PEN.
 Although quill pens can be made from the outer
DETAILED EXAMINATION OF WRITING MATERIAL wing feathers of any bird, those of goose, swan,
1) Collect standard document from the issuing crow and (later) turkey, were preferred. The
institution, company or individual and compare. earliest reference (6th century AD) to quill pens
Consider the physical characteristics of both was made by the Spanish Theologian ST.
questioned and standard documents such as the ISIDORE OF SEVILLE, and this tool was the
size, the thickness, the surface (glossiness, principal writing implement for nearly 1300 years.
opacity, etc.) and the general texture of the  To make a quill pen, a wing feather is first
paper. hardened by heating or letting it dry out gradually.
2) Check with the issuing institution , company or The hardened quill is then cut to a broad edge
individual about the dissimilarity of writing with a special pen knife.
materials used in the questioned document.  The writer had to re-cut the quill pen frequently to
3) Conduct further physical or chemical examination maintain its edge. By the 18th century, the width
such as folding endurance test, folding test, of the edge had diminished and the length of the
bursting test, etc. slit had increased creating a flexible point that
produced thick and thin strokes by pressure on
the point rather than by the angle at which the
WRITING INSTRUMENTS broad edge was held.
DEFINITION OF TERMS  Use of the quill rapidly declined during that
A. Flexibility Of Pen Point - One quality of the nib century, especially after the introduction of the
pen is its pliability. This quality varies which free public education for children; more emphasis
different pens and can be measured by the was then placed on the teaching of writing than
amount of pressure necessary to cause a on teaching the skill of quill cutting.
spreading of the nibs or a given degree of
shading. C. STEEL POINT PENS (BRAZEN PENS)
 Also, by the 18th century, paper had replaced
B. Fountain Pen - A fountain pen is a modern nib vellum as the chief writing surface, and more
which contains a reservoir of ink in a specially writing was being done for commerce than for
designed chamber. After complete filling the pen church or crown. During this period, attempts
is capable of writing a number of pages without were made to invent a lasting writing tool that did
refilling. not require re-cutting. Horn, tortoise shell, and
gemstones were tried, but steel was eventually
C. Ink - is a fluid or viscous marking material used used for permanent pen points.
for writing or printing.  Although pens of bronze may have been known to
Romans, the earliest mention of "BRAZEN PENS"
D. Pen - A tool for writing or drawing with a colored was in 1465. The 16th century Spanish
fluid, such as ink; or a writing instrument used to calligrapher JUAN DE YCIAR mentions brass pens
apply inks to the paper is a pen. It came from the for very large writing in his 1548 writing manual,
Latin word "PENNA", meaning feather. but the use of metal pens did not become
widespread until the early part of the 19th
E. Pen Nibs - The two divisions or points which from century.
the writing portion of a pen are its nibs.  The first patented steel pen point was made by
the English engineer BRYAN DONKIN in 1803.
 The leading 19th century English pen COMPOSITION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF INKS
manufacturers were WILLIAM JOSEPH GILLOT, A. INDIAN INKS
WILLIAM MITCHELL, AND JAMES STEPHEN PERRY. The oldest form of Indian ink consisted of a suspension
of carbon black (soot or lampblack) in water to which
D. FOUNTAIN PENS glue or a vegetable gum was added. Inks of these
 In 1884, LEWIS WATERMAN, a New York compositions are still on the market mostly in the
insurance agent, patented the first practical shape of sticks or cakes. In modern carbon ink, the
FOUNTAIN PEN containing its own ink reservoir. glue or gum is replaced by a solution of shellac in
Waterman invented a mechanism that fed ink to borax or ammonia. These inks are not affected by
the pen point by capillary action, allowing ink to oxidants. It is practically impossible to remove the last
flow evenly while writing. traces of the carbon from the paper without causing
 By the 1920's, the fountain pen was the chief damage to it.
writing instrument in the west and remained so
until the introduction of the ball point pen after B. LOG WOOD INKS
WORLD WAR II. These inks which were used extensively about a
century ago, have now because obsolete and are no
E. BALL POINT PEN longer manufactured. They were made from an
 JOHN LOUD, in 1888, patented the first ball point aqueous extract of logwood chips and potassium
writing tool. A ball point pen has in its point a chromate. These inks will be found only on old.
small rotating metal ball that continually inks itself
as it turns. C. IRON GALLOTANATE INKS
 The ball is set into a tiny socket. In the center of This ink has been used as writing for over a thousand
the socket is a hole that feeds ink to the socket years. Formerly it was made of a fermented infusion of
from a long tube (reservoir) inside the pen. gall nuts to which iron salts were added. The ink was
 As early as the 19th century, attempts had been composed of suspension of the black, almost insoluble
made to manufacture a pen with a rolling ball tip, ferric tannate. The particles were kept in suspension
but not until 1938 did Hungarian inventor brothers by adding glue or gum Arabic. This manufacturing
LADISLAO and GEORG BIRO invent a viscous, method was not economical and so it had to be
oil-based ink that could be used with such a pen. changed. It was observed that if the ink was slightly
 Hence, they are attributed for the invention of the acidified with hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid, the
first practical ballpoint pen. oxidation of the ferrous iron was checked and the
 Early ball point pens did not write well; they undesirable precipitation of the ferric tannate was
tended to skip, and the slow-drying oil-based ink prevented. The ink thus obtained was practically
smudged easily. However, the ball-point pen had colorless and did not acquire the black color desired
several advantages over the fountain pen: before it matured on paper. Coloring matter (Aniline
a) the ink was waterproof and almost un- dyes) was added to the ink as well as a sterilizing
erasable; agent to prevent growth of mold and bacteria in the
b) the ball point pen could write on many kinds ink.
of surfaces;
c) could be hold in almost any position for D. FOUNTAIN PEN INKS
writing; and These inks are regarded as special fountain pen inks,
d) the pressure required to feed the ink was and consisting of ordinary iron gallotannate inks with a
ideal for making carbon copies. lower iron content in most cases but with a higher
 Ink formulas were improved for smoother flow and dyestuff content than normal inks. This type of ink is
faster drying, and soon the ball-point replaced the placed on the market under the name of "blue-black
fountain pen as the universal writing tool. permanent". The iron content ranges from .7 Fe/I (e.g.,
Parker Quick permanent blue) to 2.7 Fe/I (e.g., Pelikan
F. FIBER TIP PENS Fullhaltertinte).
 In 1963, fiber tip markers were introduced into the
U.S. market and have since challenged the ball E. DYESTUFF INKS
point as the principal writing implement. The first These inks are composed of aqueous solutions of
practical fiber tip pen was invented by YUKIO synthetic dyestuffs, to which a preservative and a flux
HORIE of Japan in 1962. It was ideally suited to are added. The writing qualities of the ink are
the strokes of Japanese writing, which is improved by addition of substances such as glycerol,
traditionally done with a pointed ink brush. glucose or dextrin. The dark blue and black inks are
 Unlike its predecessors, the fiber tip pen uses dye often composed of four or more dyes because no black
as a writing fluid. As a result, the fiber tip pen can dyestuff of sufficient tinctorial capacity is known.
produce a wide range of colors unavailable in ball
point and fountain pen inks.
 The tip is made of fine nylon or other synthetic
fibers drawn to a point and fastened to the barrel F. WATER RESISTANT WRITING AND DRAWING
of the pen. Dye is fed to the point by elaborate INKS
capillary mechanism. These inks are special group of dyestuff inks. They
consist of a pigment paste and a solution of shellac
G. FELT-TIP MARKERS made soluble in water by means of borax, liquid
 Markers are made of dense natural or artificial ammonia or ammonium bicarbonate. Sometimes the
fibers impregnated with a dye. These markers can pigment suspension is combined with acid or basic
be cut to a variety of shapes and sizes, some up dyestuff.
to an inch in width. A modification of the ball point
pen using a liquid dye fed to a metal/plastic ball G. ALKALINE WRITING INKS
was introduced in the U.S. from Japan in 1973. These are quick drying inks which possess a ph of from
9 to about 11. They penetrate quickly through the size
of the paper allowing the ink to penetrate quickly into
the paper. The dyestuff in these inks consists of acid
dyes, sometimes combined with phthalo cyanide dyes. M. CANCELLING INKS
These inks are not much in demand because they are These inks often contain carbon and this fact should be
rather expensive and because the material of many burned in mind when it is required to decipher faint
fountain pens is affected by them. The best known of cancellation marks on a postage stamp and wrappers.
these inks are the Parker super chrome inks which in Carbon is opaque to infra-red sensitive plate and be
the colors black, blue-black, blue, red and green. relied upon to improve the legibility of any marking
Phthalocyanine dye is found in the blue super chrome affected by a carbon containing canceling ink. Erasure
inks. The super chrome inks were already obtainable of canceling ink on valuable stamps is usually affected
since 1950, which fact maybe of importance for the by attack on the medium which bind the carbon to the
determination of the age of a document. surface of the stamp and it is to be regretted that
many canceling inks are manufactured with media
H. BALLPOINT PEN INKS which offer resistance to attack so that the resistant
The ballpoint pens did not appear on the European carbon can simply be swabbed off. This can be usually
market before 1945. The development of the present be detected by infra-red photography which will reveal
pen was accomplished during World War II because the the traces of carbon, which almost invariably remain
Army and the Air Force needed a writing instrument on the stamp.
which would not leak at high altitude and which
supplied quick drying water-resistant writing. N. SKRIP INK
 1. In principle, the construction of all ballpoint These are manufactured by W.A. Chaffer Pen Company
pens is the same. The differences are in the finish, since 1955. The inks contain a substance which is
the precision with which the instrument is made, colorless in visible light and has a strong affinity for the
the size and the material of the ball, and the fibers of the paper, and yet is not bleached by
composition of the ink. hypochlorite ink eradicators or washed out by soaking
 2. As a rule, the diameter of the ball lies between on water. Thus, if a writing with "Skrip" is obliterated
0.6 and 1.0 mm, the cheapest makes having the with ink eradicator, the original will produce a
largest diameter. The ball is made of steel while characteristic fluorescence and can be deciphered by
the more expensive makes of sapphire. reviewing under filtered ultra-violet. Similarly, if writing
 3. The quality of the pen is chiefly to be judged by made with was able skrip is soaked in water so the
the writing angle. The best writing angle for a invisible dye is washed out, the original record can be
ballpoint pen is 90 degrees, but a normal hand of read clearly by filtered ultra-violet light.
writing seldom uses this angle.
 4. The cheaper makes have a minimum writing
angle of 55-60 degrees. If one writes at too small THE EXAMINATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF INK
an angle, the brass socket holding the ball will A. The examination of inks often plays an important
scratch a lined into the paper, parallel with the ink part in document examination. In these cases, the inks
line. to be examined are not available in liquid form. One
kind of examination centers on the question as to
I. STAMP PAD INKS whether the ink of some writings or of alterations in a
They are made with the acid of substances such as police blotter is identical with the ink found in the
glycerol, glycol, acetin or benzyl alcohol and water. possession of the suspect.
Airline dyes are added as coloring matter. For quick B. For this reason, the examination of questioned
drying stamp pad inks, more volatile organic solvents documents is restricted to a comparative examination
are used as acetone, ethanol, etc. As a vehicle, of certain properties of these inks. However, the
dextrine, gum arabic, or tannin is sometimes added. examination carries with it certain difficulties as the
Through the addition of tannin, the stamp impression quantity of material available for examination is small
becomes water resistant after drying. and the examination can be done only one.
C. It is necessary then that before a chemical
J. HECTOGRAPH INKS examination is attempted, which results in a partial
These inks very much resemble stamp pad inks and destruction of writing, an exhaustive examination by
are exclusively made with basic dyes. To the dyestuff nondestructive methods be carried out.
solution several other substances are added such as D. These non-destruction methods include visual
glycerol, acetic acid and acetone. examination with the aid of a binocular microscope as
well as photographic examination. They should be
K. TYPEWRITER RIBBON INKS used first before any chemical examination is resorted
These inks are usually composed of a blend of aniline to.
dyes, carbon black and oil such as olein or castor oil. E. It is necessary therefore to be acquainted with the
The two-tone ribbons however contain no dyes, but composition and developmental history, method of
pigments suspended in oil base. This is necessary manufacture of the types of ink most commonly used.
because aniline dyes tend to bleed and would cause Sometimes, antedating can only be proven by
the sharp division between the differently colored identifying a component of the ink, which was not yet
halves of the ribbon to merge. included in inks at the alleged date of the document.

L. PRINTING INKS
Printing inks often consist of a mixture of colored THE CHEMICAL EXAMINATION OF INK
pigments, carbon black and a "base" which may A. THE CHROMATOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION AND
consist of oil, resins, synthetic resins or a mixture of SEPARATION OF THE DYESTUFFS IN THE INK
these. It is possible to remove printing ink from a (CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYTICAL METHODS).
document by scrubbing the document with an aqueous 1. This is restricted to a comparison of the dyestuffs
solution of a suitable detergent. The rubbing and in the ink but sometimes it is also possible to
breaking up of the surface of the ink and the detergent identify one or more of the components of the
facilitates the suspension and eventual removal of the dyes.
carbon and other ingredients by the water.
2. Regarded as the principal method of ink 5) However, the presence of oleic acid is not yet
examination. Inks usually contain several proof that the writing in question is old for oleic
dyestuffs and chromatographic analysis will be acid is sometimes also used in modern ballpoint
able to distinguish and sometimes to identify inks.
these dyes. 6) In the later case, however, the ink will as a rule
3. To identify a dyestuff, it is necessary to possess a not flow out with the petroleum ether because
collection as complete as possible of the various these inks, no water-soluble coloring matter is
dyes used in the manufacture of inks. worked out. Instead pigments and dyestuffs are
4. The chromatographic separation of the dyes used that will not dissolve in petroleum ether.
maybe carried out by paper chromatography 7) The presence of phthalocyanine dyestuff is an
PROCEDURE: indication of an ink produced later than 1954-
1956.
COLLECTION OF THE INK MATERIAL 8) Thus, it is not possible to determine the absolute
1) Extraction of the inks stroke by scraping age of ballpoint inks. Neither it is possible to
fragments from the ink stroke. Dyestuff inks can determine the relative ages of two ballpoint ink
as a rule can be extracted with water. Ball point writings, not even if they are of the same kind.
ink can be extracted with organic solvent such as The ink dries rather quickly because the base is
ethanol, acetone or butanone. Pyridine is the best absorbed by the paper.
solvent for ball point inks. 9) Recent ballpoint writing can be offset, and efforts
2) It is also possible to cut a small pocket at starting have been made to use the copying power for age
line in the chromatographic paper into which the determination.
ink fragments are placed. The pocket is firmly
pressed. DYESTUFF INKS
1. The dyestuff inks lack properties that would
PROCEDURE: permit age determination but the presence of an
COLLECTION OF THE INK MATERIAL obsolete or modern dyestuff may indicate age of
A. The vessel which is a beaker or a flask is filled writing.
with the solvent; then the filtered paper strip 2. If a phthalocyanine dye is found in the ink, it
containing the ink material is lowered into the would be improbable for the document to be
vessel with the ends just touching the surface of dated prior to 1953.
the solvent and let it hang on the side of the
vessel for 15-20 minutes. IRON GALLOTANNATE INKS
B. The chromatography should be carried out in These inks show a remarkable change of color in
shaded light. maturing. This based on the chemical change of
ferrous to ferric in the course of time. The following are
DETERMINATION OF THE AGE OF THE INK the methods used to show the gradual change of inks:
1. In the examination of questioned documents, the
query of the age of writing sometimes arises. This (1) METHOD BASED ON THE CHANGE OF THE
maybe the case when the questioned document is COLOR OF THE INK
undated, or if it is suspected that the date of the This method is useful in those cases where the ink
document is not purportedly what it is written on writing received for examination is too recent that the
the document. process of maturing can be observed visually. The kind
2. There is also the problem of comparative of ink must be known and one or more writings of
examination of the possible difference in age of known age must be available for comparison.
parts of a handwritten text on one and the same
document, on one and the same cash book, or (2) METHODS BASED ON THE SOLUBILITY OF THE
one and the same police blotter. This examination INK
of the relative ages of two or more ink writings The solubility of iron gallotannate ink decreases
may serve to answer the question which was considerably as the ink matures. As with the color
written first. change, it can only be applied successfully to a very
recent writing. This method can establish a difference
DETERMINATION OF THE AGE OF THE INK in the age of writings on one and the same document.
In general, in order to determine the age of writing or The solubility is determined by a visual estimate of the
the difference in the ages of different writings, the quantity of ink which can be withdrawn with a drop of
document examiner makes use of a property of the ink water from a stroke. It is necessary however that the
writing which changes in the course of time. This drop of water be applied to ink stroke of the same
selection of properties will be determined by the intensity.
composition of ink and the circumstances under which
the writing ages. (3) METHOD BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF
FERROUS IRON IN THE INK
BALL POINT PEN INKS In iron gallotannate ink, the iron is mainly present in
1) If a document has been written with a ballpoint the complex bound ferrous form. As the
pen, the writing in question is bound to date in all manufacturing process goes on, the ric gallotannate is
probability from a point of time later than 1945. formed. A drop of aa1-dipyridyl reagent (1% of aa1-
2) The analysis of ballpoint inks may yield an dipyridyl in 0.5N HCL (normal hydrochloric acid)) is
important clue to the age of the ink. applied to the ink stroke. The reagent is left in contact
3) The first ballpoint inks were practically without with the ink for 1 minute and then recovered with a
exception based on oleic acid. These inks will flow piece of filter paper. If ferrous iron is still present in
out when a drop of benzene or petroleum ether is the ink, the paper will show a red zone of ferrous aa1-
applied to them. dipyridyl around the stain of blue dyestuff. By
4) Not until 1950 were these inks made on a basic of repeating this test daily, it is possible to check the
polyethylene glycols, which are resistant to decrease in the ferrous iron in the ink by the changes
treatment with benzene or petroleum ether. in the coloration of this red zone. However, this
method is applicable when the questioned writing is b) Letter Press Printing - is the most common
not more than a few days old. form of printing books, magazine letterheads and
the usual printing in common uses. In the process,
(4) ESTIMATION OF AGE BASED ON THE the letters are made on raised pieces of metal
DETECTION OF THE DYES which covered with ink and then impressed upon
Iron gallotannate inks contain an organic dye, (soluble the paper in the same form as a rubber stamp or
blue) which is oxidized or at least becomes insoluble cliché. The serial numbers of a bank note are
complete or partially as the ink ages. It is claimed that usually added by this letterpress process after the
the organic dye becomes completely insoluble in four note has been produced by an engraving.
to five years. However, the application of this method
appears to yield results in practice. c) Offset Printing - is a method a photogaph is
taken of the desire material and a print is made
on a specially prepared aluminum plate. The plate
DROP, DROP, SOME MONEY is kept wet with water. When the ink is applied, it
ALL THIS BREAD SO YUMMY YEAH sticks oly these parts of the plate where printing is
 any medium of exchange that is widely accepted desired. The aluminum plate is then put in contact
in payment for goods and services and in with rubber roller which transfers the ink to the
settlement of debts. papers. The offset process is quite in small
 also serves as a standard of value for measuring printing plants. Because it was photographic
the relative worth of different goods and services . process, it is the most common modern used by
 the number of units of money required to buy a counterfeiter to make false paper money.
commodity is the price of the commodity.

Definition of Terms THE FIRST PHILIPPINE POLYMER BANKNOTES

A. COUNTERFEITING: it is the crime of making, 1. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has the
circulating or uttering false coins and banknotes. exclusive power and authority to issue coins and notes
It means to make a copy of or imitate , to make a for circulation in the Philippines. The BSP has recently
spurious semblance of as money or stamps, with launched enhanced Philippine coins and notes that are
the intent to deceive or defraud. Counterfeiting is more responsive to the needs of the elderly and the
something made to imitate the real thing used for visually impaired, and feature the latest anti-
gain. counterfeiting technology. It also issues legal tender
B. FALSIFICATION: the act/process of making the commemorative coins and notes of limited quantity to
content/s of a document not the intended content. celebrate or recognize the significance of a person,
C. FORGERY: the act of falsely making or materially place and event in Philippine history.
altering, with intent to defraud, any writing which 2. The first Philippine polymer banknote series
if genuine. Might be of legal efficacy or the shares the same color and size across its
foundation of a legal liability. denominations as paper banknotes. Its design is
consistent with the principles of currency integrity,
Take note: In forgery, every person who, with intent social relevance, efficiency, and unified theme and
to defraud, signs the name of another person, or of aesthetics.
fictitious person, knowing that he has no authority to 3. The series focuses on the country’s rich
do so, or falsely makes, alters. Forgers or counterfeits biodiversity, showcasing the protected wildlife across
any-checks, drag-due bill for the payment of money or the archipelago, this banknote series aims to remind
property. Or counterfeits or forges the seal forged, or Filipinos of their role as responsible stewards of the
counterfeited, with intent the same to be fake, altered country’s natural resources and the need for collective
forged, or counterfeited, with intent to prejudice, efforts toward sustainability amid climate change and
damage or defraud any person is guilty of forgery. other environmental risks.

THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE SMARTER, CLEANER, STRONGER

PESO
 The Philippine Peso, commonly called piso SMARTER
(filipino) or peso is the currency of the Philippines.  The first Philippine polymer banknote series is
 It is subdivided into 100 sentimo (centavos). smarter than paper banknotes, as it has more
 The ISO 4217 name is “Philippine Peso” And the sophisticated security features, making it harder
code is “PHP.” to counterfeit.
 Peso to Piso–peso locally used today.  Countries that shifted to polymer banknotes—
including Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
Malaysia, Mexico, Fiji, and Vietnam—saw a decline
in counterfeiting cases.
 While there are no major counterfeiting problems
MAKING OF PAPER MONEY in the Philippines, crime syndicates continue to
a) Engraving - it is the process by which the line to adopt new techniques to counterfeit Philippine
be printed are cut into pieces of metal by hand or banknotes, hence the need to continually
with a machine. Ink is rubbed over the plate to fill strengthen the currency’s security features.
the cuts in the metal and the extra ink wiped-off  A study commissioned by the BSP also revealed
the top. The pressure of the paper on the plate that the 1000-piso polymer banknote has a lower
causes the ink in the holes to be lifted on the carbon footprint than its paper counterpart,
surface of the paper. The ink lines will be felt to be requiring less energy and resources for
raised above the surface. The engraving process production, thus contributing less to climate
is issued for the production of all genuine bank change.
notes.
CLEANER
 The first Philippine polymer banknote series is
significantly cleaner than paper banknotes due to 3. How is currency issued to the public?
its smooth and non-absorptive surface, which is The Security Plant Complex (SPC) delivers new BSP
resistant to water, oil, and dirt. The Department of banknotes and coins to the Currency Issue and
Health (DOH) confirmed in its evidence review Integrity Office (CIIO) for issuance to the Cash
that viruses, including covid-19, and bacteria last Department (CD) and the regional Monetary Affairs
for a shorter period on polymer banknotes than on Subsector (RMASS). In turn, CD services withdrawals
paper banknotes. Polymer banknotes can also be of notes and coins of banks in metro manila, while
sanitized with less risk of damage. RMASS takes charge of banks in the regions
through its 22 regional offices/branches. Currency
STRONGER notes and coins are eventually issued to the public
 The first philippine polymer banknote series is when as depositors/clients, the public withdraw
more durable than paper banknotes, lasting two their deposits from banks.
to five times longer. This leads to lower banknote
issue expenses in the long run. 4. How does the BSP determine the
 On average, paper banknotes last for 1.5 volume/value of notes and coins to be issued
years, while polymer banknotes last for as annually?
long as 7.5 years. The annual volume/value of currency to be issued
 Similarly, other countries reported longer lifespans is projected based on currency demand that is
for polymer banknotes: New Zealand at 4.8 times estimated from a set of economic indicators which
and Canada at 2.5 times than paper banknotes. generally measure the country’s economic
 Polymer banknotes’ resistance to dirt, water, and activity. Other variables considered in estimating
oil makes them more practical for everyday use, currency order include: required currency reserves,
especially in wet markets and public unfit notes for replacement, and beginning
transportation. BSP heat resistance studies also inventory balance. The denominational breakdown is
show that the Philippines’ tropical climate does determined using the historical percent share of the
not affect the durability of these banknotes demand for each denomination. The BSP likewise
established a currency management committee to
oversee the entire cash cycle covering forecasting
Production of Currency of currency demand to currency distribution to
Philippine coins and banknotes are mostly produced in ensure that the issuance of currency is consistent
the BSP Security Plant Complex (SPC). Over the past with monetary policy and adequate to meet the
four decades, the SPC has become a world-class demand for notes and coins.
producer of quality coins and notes. It has overseen
the design, production and issuance of four 5. Is there a limit to the amount of notes
generations of legal tender Philippine currency. and coins that the BSP may issue?
The total amount of banknotes and coins that the BSP
ISSUANCE, DISTRIBUTION AND RETIREMENT may issue should not exceed the total assets of the
The Philippine cash cycle involves issuance of new BSP.
coins and notes, distribution to the regions of the
country, and retirement of unfit currency. The BSP 6. What is the volume/value of currency notes
adopts a clean note and coin policy for the effective and coins in circulation?
removal of unfit currency in circulation as a means to There are about 3.57 billion pieces of notes
maintain the integrity of Philippine banknotes and valued at P977.34 billion and 24.19 billion pieces of
coins. coins valued at P27.55 billion in circulation as of
Issuance, distribution and retirement 31 December 2015. The BSP produced 1.9 billion
pieces of banknotes worth P781.6 billion and 1.8 billion
CURRENCY IN CIRCULATION pieces of coins worth P10.3 billion last year.
The annual volume/value of currency issued is based
on currency demand that is estimated from a set of 7. How does the BSP manage the “inter-
economic indicators which generally measure the convertibility” of Philippine currency?
country’s economic activity. The total amount of The BSP shall exchange, on demand and without
banknotes and coins that the BSP may issue should not charge, Philippine currency of any denomination for
exceed the total assets of the BSP. Philippine notes and coins of any other denomination
requested by
Banks. If the BSP is temporarily unable to provide
notes and coins of the denominations requested, it
shall meet its obligations by delivering notes and coins
of the denominations, which most nearly approximate
1. Under what authority does the Bangko Sentral those requested as provided under Section 55 of R.A
ng No. 7653.
Pilipinas (BSP) issue currency? 8. What does “legal tender power” of a currency
The BSP is the sole government institution mandated mean?
by law to issue currency. In particular, Section 50 of Legal tender power means that when the currency is
Republic Act No. 7653, otherwise known as the New offered in payment of a debt, public or private, the
Central Bank Act, stipulates that the BSP shall have the same must be accepted.
sole power and authority to issue currency within the
territory of the Philippines. 9. Is there a limit to the legal tender power
of Philippine currency notes and coins?
2. What does the BSP issue? Philippine currency notes have no limit to
The BSP issues notes and coins for circulation in their legal tender power. However, in the case of
the Philippines. It also issues legal tender coins in denomination of 1-, 5- and 10-piso they
commemorative notes and coins. shall be legal tender in amounts not exceeding
P1,000.00 while coins in denomination of 1-, 5- and violation. However, its purpose as a means of payment
10- and 25 sentimo shall be legal tender in for any goods and services was undermined.
amounts not exceeding P100.00, pursuant to BSP
Circular no. 537, series 2006. 16. What is Seigniorage?
Seigniorage is the difference between the face
10. Why does BSP issue specimen notes? value of the currency note/coin and the cost of
BSP issues specimen notes primarily as an educational printing/minting.
tool to familiarize cash handlers of different central
banks and other concerned financial institutions on 17. Does BSP have a handbook or circular
the features of new currency issue. This practice is containing laws on currency notes and coins?
observed by other central banks worldwide, usually on Yes. BSP Circular no. 829, series of 2014 or the
a reciprocal basis. rules and regulations on currency notes and coins
can be downloaded from the BSP website,
11. Does BSP accept specimen notes for [Link]. Under the publication and research
replacement? section.
No. The BSP does not accept specimen notes for
replacement with legal tender currency. The word 18. Why is the BSP concerned with currency
“specimen” Printed across the face of the note and integrity?
the “000000” Serial numbers are indications that Corollary to its currency issue power, the BSP is also
the note is not legal tender. Excludes mandated under Section 50 of RA 7653 to preserve
commemorative notes and and maintain currency integrity.
coins banknotes.
19. How does BSP preserve and maintain the integrity
12. What is the restriction on currency of the currency?
import/export for Philippine peso notes and The Currency Issue and Integrity Office (CIIO) is
coins? vested with police authority to investigate, make
A person may import or export, bring in or take arrests, and conduct searches and seizures banknotes
outside of the country, or electronically transfer and coins in accordance with the law during the
legal tender Philippine notes and coins, checks, course of anti-counterfeiting operations. Issue
money orders or other bills of exchange in temporary receipt to the owner/holder indicating
amounts not exceeding p10,000. Prior the name, address, community tax certificate or the
authorization (from the BSP’s international sub- passport number, if foreigner.
sector) is required when the export or import of
Philippine currency exceeds this amount. 20. How does one handle receipt of counterfeit
money?
13. What is demonetization of currency? Any person or entity, public or private, who receives a
Demonetization is the process of removing the note or coin which is counterfeit or whose
monetary value of a legal tender currency by the genuineness is questionable whether Philippine or
issuing authority. Demonetized currency will no foreign currency shall: Issue temporary receipt to
longer be accepted for payment of goods and services. the owner/holder indicating the name, address,
community tax certificate or the passport number, if
14. Under what authority does the BSP foreigner; indicate further the date of receipt,
demonetize currency? denomination, serial number in the note or series in
Section 57 of RA No. 7653 provides that the case of coins; require the owner/holder to countersign
Bangko Sentral may call in for replacement of notes the receipt; in case of refusal, state the reason therein;
of any series or denomination which are more the counterfeit money must be forwarded for
than five (5) years old and coins which are more than examination/appropriate action within five (5)
ten (10) years old. Notes and coins called in for working days after the receipt to the CIIO, BSP,
replacement shall remain legal tender for a period East Avenue, Quezon City. In case personal deliver
of one year from the date of call. After this period, they to CIIO is not feasible, delivery of said notes and
shall cease to be legal tender but during the following coins may be made through the BSP’s regional
year, or for such longer period as the monetary board offices/branches or any banking institution under
may determine, they may be exchanged at par the supervision of the BSP If the situation warrants,
and without charge in the Bangko Sentral and by report to the CIIO-BSP the Philippine National Police
agents duly authorized by the Bangko Sentral for this (PNP) or other law enforcement agencies for filing of
purpose. After the expiration of this latter period, appropriate criminal charges for violation of
banknotes and coins which have not been pertinent articles in the revised penal code on
exchanged shall cease to be a liability of the counterfeiting.
Bangko Sentral and shall be demonetized.

15. If there are individuals who turn the 5-

sentimo coin, which has a hole in the center into 21. What does the BSP do with the fake bills?
a necklace, will they be violating any laws? Pursuant to Section 6 of circular no. 829 series of
Yes. Presidential Decree no. 247 prohibits and 2014, all notes and coins, whether Philippine or
penalizes defacement, mutilation, tearing, burning or foreign, determined by the CIIO, BSP to be
destruction of notes and coins. Thus, application of counterfeit currency, shall not be returned to the
outside pressure, substance or chemicals that may owner/holder, but shall be retained and later disposed
cause deformation, destruction or change in the of in accordance with such guidelines as may be
original state/shape/color of the coin is a violation of adopted by the BSP, except those which will be used
p.d. No 247. If the 5-sentimo legal tender coin as evidence in an investigation or legal proceedings,
which has a hole at the center is used plainly as in which case, the same shall be retained and
pendant of a necklace without any defacement or preserved by the BSP for evidentiary purposes.
destruction done/made on the coin, there would be no
22. Does the public have the right to bring the Issue and Integrity Office, BSP for assistance at tel.
case to the police? Nos.: 988-4833 and 926-5092.
Yes, if there is a probable violation committed. In
fact, under Section 5 of Rule 113 of the rules of
court, a peace officer or a private person may,
without a warrant, arrest a person in the following
circumstances:
(a) When, in his presence, the person to be
arrested has committed, is actually committing, or is
attempting to commit an offense;
(b) And when an offense has just been committed and
he has probable cause to believe based on personal
knowledge of facts or circumstance that the person
to be arrested has committed it.
In cases falling under paragraphs (a) and (b)
above, the person arrested without a warrant shall
be forthwith delivered to the nearest police station
or jail and shall be subjected to proceedings in
accordance with Section 7 of Rule 112 of the rules of
court.

23. What if the person, who has the counterfeit

currency, refuses to turn in the counterfeit
currency?
The individual who is requesting the turning in of
counterfeit notes should convince and explain to
the holder that keeping counterfeit currency will
cause legal problems. If the holder of counterfeit note
continues to refuse Section 7. When accused lawfully
arrested without warrant
— When a person is lawfully arrested without a
warrant involving an offense which requires a
preliminary investigation, the complaint or
information may be filed by a prosecutor without
need of such investigation provided an inquest has
been conducted in accordance with existing rules.
In the absence or unavailability of an inquest
prosecutor, the complaint may be filed by the offended
party or a peace office directly with the proper
court on the basis of the affidavit of the offended
party or arresting officer or person.
— Before the complaint or information is filed, the
person arrested may ask for a preliminary
investigation in accordance with this rule, but he must
sign a waiver of the provisions of article 125 of the
revised penal code, as amended, in the presence of
his counsel. Not withstanding the waiver, he may
apply for bail and the investigation must be
terminated within fifteen (15) days from its inception.
— After the filing of the complaint or information in
court without a preliminary investigation, the accused
may, within five (5) days from the time he learns of its
filing, ask for a preliminary investigation with the same
right to adduce evidence in his defense as provided in
this rule. (7a; Sec 2, RA 7438) the handover of the
counterfeit note, the matter should be reported to
the nearest police agency/law enforcer, for appropriate
action.

24. What do we do when we catch a person

writing/putting marks in banknotes?
In case you caught a person writing/putting marks
in banknotes, please warn or inform the person of
the Anti-mutilation Law or PD 247 which prohibits
and penalizes the act of currency defacement
(writing/putting marks), mutilation, burning,
tearing or any manner showing act of
willful/intentional mutilation. Should the act becomes
habitual to a particular person, the matter should be
reported to the nearest police agency/law enforcer,
for appropriate action or contact the Currency