We have seen that over a period of time, ancient coin currencies were replaced by paper notes, in order to make transactions easier. They are now user- friendly and lasting. But are these paper notes merely made out of just paper? Are they just like the papers we use in our classrooms? Absolutely not!
Bank notes are quite different in terms of how they are made, and the materials used to make them. Most of them are made of ‘cotton paper’ and have a specific weight. It is said that cotton paper is stronger and more durable compared to ordinary papers made from wood pulp. This is one of the reasons why the bank notes last longer, in spite of being continuously rough-used. The notes are also infused in polyvinyl alcohol or gelatine to make them stronger. These are some of the techniques used to make bank notes in the modern era.
But centuries ago when bank notes first appeared in China, they were printed on paper made from mulberry bark. In the case of Japanese bank notes, they used mitsumata, and other fibres to give the notes their colour and texture.
