An Ergonomic Assessment on the Detectability Design of the New Generation Currency (NGC) Coin Series and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Coin Series

Abstract

The study assesses the detectability design of coins produced by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Two sets of coins are currently in circulation: the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the New Generation Currency Coin Series. Three types of timed detection tests were performed under controlled conditions to measure effectiveness (accuracy) and efficiency (duration) in detecting coins. These tests differ in sense/s used to detect the coins: visual only, tactile only, and both visual & tactile. Results show that BSP coins are generally easier and faster to identify than NGC coins. Furthermore, subjects find it easier to detect the obverse side of coins compared to the reverse. When using the visual sense only, subjects respond faster as compared to only using the tactile sense, and show no significant difference when using both visual and tactile senses. Thus, the tactile design features of the coins may be ineffective for detectability.