Mössbauer and X-ray fluorescence measurements of authentic and counterfeited banknote pigments

Mössbauer and X-ray fluorescence studies revealed that a number of valuable monetary units (dollars, pounds, yen, old German marks, and others) are printed using pigments which contain considerable amounts of iron. Mössbauer spectroscopy has been applied to the analysis of the pigments that are used in both authentic and counterfeit currency notes.