MOTION®

Type: Micro-optic security thread — woven into banknote paper substrate, appearing as a windowed thread integrated during papermaking

Overview

MOTION® is the original micro-optic security thread developed by Crane Currency, and the world's first security feature of its kind to appear on a circulating banknote. It was the product that established micro-optic movement as a category in banknote security — alongside existing colour-shift and diffraction effects — and has since spawned a generation of competing technologies across the industry. The technology was developed in collaboration with Nanoventions, whose founders Mark Hurt and Rick Steenblik created the foundational IP on synthetic image generation and moiré magnification at the micron scale. Crane licensed the technology and subsequently acquired it outright, naming the first commercial product MOTION to reflect its most striking characteristic: fluid, counter-intuitive movement visible to the naked eye.

Technology & Effects

MOTION® is built on millions of microscopic lenses produced by proprietary, purpose-built equipment that does not exist elsewhere in industry. Each lens is shaped to focus on a customised icon beneath it, creating an optical system that generates distinctive image animation and fluid movement as the note is tilted. The movement is counter-intuitive — the image appears to move in the opposite direction to the tilt — which is both highly distinctive for public authentication and technically demanding to simulate. The feature also exhibits a perceived three-dimensional quality: the image appears to float within the thread rather than sit on its surface. MOTION® can incorporate denomination-specific icons, national symbols, numerals, or other design elements, giving each deployment a unique visual signature tailored to the issuing authority's requirements. The thread can be augmented with UV fluorescence and micro-text as additional authentication layers, and is compatible with the DETECT machine-readable IR material for automated verification.

Form Factors & Application

MOTION® is woven directly into the banknote paper during manufacture, appearing as a windowed security thread that surfaces at intervals across the face of the note. The windows — framed rectangular apertures — allow the micro-optic effect to be visible to the public without requiring any special tools or lighting conditions. The thread is highly durable and resistant to soiling, performing consistently throughout the full circulation life of a banknote. It is compatible with a wide range of paper mills and substrate suppliers; Crane has qualified over 20 paper mills globally for MOTION thread integration. On Crane's current product pages MOTION® is now presented under the MOTION® Switch designation, reflecting the evolution of the original single-image thread to the dual-image switching variant that became the commercial standard; however, earlier deployments are documented under the original MOTION name.

Security Levels

MOTION® operates as a Level 1 (public) authentication feature. The fluid, counter-intuitive movement of the icon is immediately apparent to the naked eye and requires no training to recognise — a simple tilt of the note is sufficient to verify the feature. The production equipment required to replicate the micro-optic lens array does not exist commercially, providing robust counterfeit resistance at Level 2 and beyond. DETECT-enabled versions extend authentication to Level 2 automated systems via IR-based machine reading, compatible with a large installed base of high-speed banknote sorters and point-of-sale currency validators.

Notable Deployments

Sveriges Riksbank introduced MOTION on the Swedish 1,000 kronor banknote on 15 March 2006, making it the first central bank in the world to use the feature. Early adopters following Sweden included the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Banco de México, Danmarks Nationalbank, and the Bank of Korea, all of which secured high-denomination banknotes with MOTION threads. The Danish 'Bridges' series features a windowed MOTION thread displaying a moving wave pattern. The Central Bank of Lebanon deployed MOTION on its 100,000, 50,000 and 20,000 Lebanese pound notes.

Name

MOTION®

Category

Security Feature

Effect Types

Micro-optics

Company

Crane Currency
Company Website

Product Page

View on Supplier Site

Linked Features

4 security features