After a successful North American launch, the Royal Canadian Mint is introducing its Bullion DNA Anti-Counterfeiting Technology to the European market. T
he Mint’s Bullion DNA counter-top device, which now allows genuine Gold Maple Leaf (GML) and Silver Maple Leaf (SML) bullion coins to be certified in-store, was unveiled before European bullion dealers and distributors gathered at the 2016 World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany. Bullion dealers and distributors across Europe can now register for the Mint’s Bullion DNA Program in order to purchase this innovative anti-counterfeiting technology.
“The Royal Canadian Mint is committed to assuring our customers that our bullion products continue to be industry innovators through their unrivaled quality, purity and security,” said Sandra L. Hanington, president and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “The addition of Bullion DNA Anti-Counterfeiting Technology to our growing list of bullion security solutions is a game-changer for bullion dealers and distributors as they can now certify that new GML and SML coins are genuine, at the very moment of a transaction.”
The Bullion DNA device works by reading a micro-engraved security mark appearing on the reverse of every GML bullion dated 2014 and later, as well as every SML coin dated 2015 and beyond. The mark, consisting of a textured maple leaf and the last two numerals of the coin’s production year, visible only under magnification, is laser-engraved on the dies which are used to strike these coins.
The Mint’s digital non-destructive activation (DNA) technology, developed in partnership with ArjoSolutions, captures images of the mark encrypted with a string of code, and stores these in the Royal Canadian Mint’s secure database. When a GML or SML coin is placed in the Bullion DNA device, it communicates with the Mint’s secure servers to decode the encrypted signature and search for a match registered during coin production.
To find out more about Bullion DNA Anti-Counterfeiting Technology or enroll in the Bullion Dealer Program, visit www.mint.ca/bulliondna.