IQ Mint New Holographic Coins

IQ Structures, a research and manufacturing organisation focused on nanotechnology engineering and based out of a nuclear reactor site in Řež near Prague, has launched IQ Mint, a technology solution for anti-counterfeit protection and the visual enhancement of precious metal objects such as coins, medals and investment bars.

We have reported before in Holography News® (HN November 2022) on the difficulty of mass replicating holograms onto the exposed surface of coins in circulation. Holograms are similar to the latent images which are used as a security feature on several high value circulating coins. Both technologies are comprised of fine line features that are engraved into the coin die, and both show different effects according to the viewing angle.

In the case of holograms, however, the effects are dependent on incredibly thin and precise fringes. When these microgrooves start degrading – as is inevitable in the minting process and when handled – so does the image. This makes holograms unsuitable for large volume production or use in open circulation. But they do have benefits for collectors’ coins and bullion products, in the latter case offering a mark of authenticity along with visual appeal.