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Lines a hand cannot draw.
Also known as: Engine turning, Rose engine pattern
The intricate interwoven line pattern engraved on banknotes, certificates and instrument dials.
Decorates and secures banknotes, share certificates and instrument dials with interwoven engine-turned line work.
Contexts: Public information
Produced by a geometric lathe whose gearing determines the curve, so the pattern is the output of a machine setting rather than a drawing — which is exactly why it resisted reproduction by hand engraving.
Contexts: Public information
Its security value fell sharply once high-resolution scanning and printing became ordinary, so a feature that defended paper money for a century now works mainly as a signal of intended seriousness.
Contexts: Public information
Fine continuous curved lines interweaving in precise repeating loops, produced by a geared engine rather than by hand.