If counterfeiting poses no major threat to the US economy, why are the Yanks making the first major change ($20) in the printing of their currency?

Friar Tuck

The Treasury plans to redesign bills every seven to 10 years to keep up with technological advances in counterfeiting. 'The soundness of a nation's currency is essential to the soundness of its economy. And to uphold our currency's soundness, it must be recognized and honored as legal tender and counterfeiting must be effectively thwarted,' Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said in a ceremony at the bureau. The last redesign of American currency was in 1996, when a new {$100} bill was introduced with anti-counterfeiting features such as ink that appeared black from one angle and green from {another;} a watermark visible only when holding the bill up to the {light;} and a security strip running vertically through the bill - features that will remain in the newest currency. Other currencies with similar features followed - a new {$50} bill in 1997, a new {$20} bill in 1998, and new {$5} and {$10} notes in 2000. The new {$20} bill will go into circulation in the fall - most likely in October, according to Thomas Ferguson, director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. New {$50} and {$100} notes will be introduced in 2004 and 2005, each with different color schemes. New {$5} and {$10} notes might also be introduced. The {$1} and {$2} notes will not change. http://money.cnn.com/2003/05/13/news/economy/twenty/index.htm May 14 03, 9:10 PM