PROCESS FOR APPLYING A METALLIC IMAGE IN REGISTER TO A DOCUMENT OF VALUE

A valuable document is protected from counterfeiting by applying an extremely thin layer of metal to the document at predetermined locations. The thin layers of metal form a "ghost image" which changes in appearance as the angle of view is varied, making the valuable document easily recognizable by a lay observer. The portions of the valuable document covered by the thin layers of metal reflect ultra-violet and infra-red light making a photocopy of the valuable document strikingly different in appearance than the original document. Counterfeiting the document by any method is extremely difficult as the process of applying the thin layers of metal is one of high technology, not readily available to the public.