Banknote Security Around The World

Banknote Security Around the World

The United States Dollar ($100)

Obverse:

Founding Father Benjamin Franklin

Reverse:

Independence Hall

1. 3D Security Ribbon
   The 3D security ribbon is woven into the paper, not printed. The bells change to 100s as the bill is shifted.
2. Color Shifting Ink
   Tilting the note transforms the bell in the inkwell and the numeral 100 from copper to green.
3. Raised Printing
   Benjamin Franklin’s shoulder on the left side is raised, feeling rough to the touch. Genuine Federal Reserve notes have a distinctive texture due to enhanced intaglio printing.
4. Portrait Watermark
   Shining light on the bill reveals a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space, visible from both sides.
5. Distinct Paper
   Federal Reserve paper is ¼ linen and ¾ cotton, and contains blue and red security fibers.

The Singapore Dollar ($1,000)

Obverse:

Yusof bin Ishak, 1st President of Signapore

Reverse:

Government Building

1. Encik Ysuof Portrait
   The hand-engraved intaglio ink portrait of Encik Yusof is difficult to reproduce.
2. Embossed Ink
   The intaglio printing is raised for a distinct embossed feel, especially the word “Singapore”. The tactile nature of the bill also helps the visually handicapped determine the denomination.
3. Microscript
   The entire lyrics of ‘Majulah Signapura’ are printed on the back in microsript.
4. Fluorescent Fibers
   Invisible fluorescent fibers are laced through paper notes that glow under UV light.
5. Polymer Singapore Arms
   The gold Singapore Lion symbol has an image of the Singapore Arms embedded within that will appear when titled at varying angles.

The Canadian Dollar ($100)

Obverse:

Robert Borden, 8th Prime Minister of Canada

Reverse:

Medical research, DNA helix, vial of insulin

1. Sir Robert Borden Portrait
   A portrait of Canada’s 8th Prime Minister is printed with raised ink. A colorized holographic version is housed in the large clear window.
2. Color-shift Building
   This metallic representation of the East Block building shifts color as the note is tilted, visible on both sides.
3. Maple Leaf Outline
   The frosted maple leaf has a transparent outline.
4. Maple Leaf Border
   A row of maple leaves cross into the large clear window alongside the East Block building.

The Australian Dollar ($5)

Obverse:

Queen Elizabeth II

Reverse:

Parliament House, Canberra

1. Polymer Material
   Australian notes are printed on polymer that returns back to shape after it is scrunched up. (Use a portion of the full images of the notes)
2. Flying Bird
   Shifting the note causes the Eastern Spinebill to move its wings and change color in the top-to-bottom window.
3. Reversing 5
   The ‘5’ within the Federation Pavilion changes direction when tilted.
4. Fluorescent Bird
   A vibrant image of an Eastern Spinebill glows in UV light.
5. Rolling Color Patch
   The prickly Moses patch has a rolling color effect when shifted, visible on both sides of the note.

The Euro (€200)

1. Security Thread
   When viewed against light, a dark line running through the note with the word “EURO” and the value in tiny letters can be seen.
2. Infrared Properties
   Infrared light reveals only the right-side of the main image.
3. Hologram Doorway
   Tilting the bill reveals the note value and a vibrant rolling spectrum around a window/doorway.

The Mexican Peso ($1,000)

Obverse:

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, leader of the Mexican War of Independence

Reverse:

University of Guanajuato

1. Linear Background
   Colorful lines cover bank notes. These are difficult to duplicate because photocopy machines print dots instead of lines.
2. Perfect Register
   Impressions on both sides unite to form a map of Mexico and compass rose when viewed against light.
3. Folio Numbers
   200-1000 peso banknotes have two folio numbers that must match in order for the bill to be authentic.

The Japanese Yen (¥10,000)

Obverse:

Yukichi Fukuzawa, Meiji era philosopher and founder of Keio University

Reverse:

Hōō phoenix from Byōdō-in Temple

1. Watermark Bar Pattern
   Three vertical watermark bars appear when held up to the light. It is difficult to reproduce with personal computers.
2. Latent Image
   When viewed from a certain angle, “10000” appears on the obverse and “Nippon” (“Japan” in Japanese) appears on the reverse.
3. Luminescent Ink
   The Governor’s seal glows orange under UV light, with some background patterns glowing yellowish-green.
4. Pearl Ink
   A semi-transparent pearl ink pattern appears in the blank margins on the left and right.

The United Kingdom’s Pound Sterling (£50)

Obverse:

Queen Elizabeth II

Reverse:

Matthew Boulton, leading entrepreneur during the Industrial Revolution, and James Watt, innovator of the steam engine

1. Raised Print
   Raised print distinguishes the words ‘Bank of England’ and the number 50.
2. See-through Register
   Irregular colored shapes printed on the front and back of the note combine to form the £ symbol when held up to the light.
3. Print Quality
   The printed colors and lines are sharp and clear, with no blurred edges or smudges that inferior counterfeit printers may create.
4. Watermark
   The Queen’s portrait and a bright £50 appears within the note when held up to the light.

The Swiss Franc (100 kr)

Obverse:

Alberto Giacometti, iconic sculptor and painter

Reverse:

L’Homme qui marche I by Alberto Giacometti, the most expensive sculpture ever sold at an auction

1. Iriodin® Digits
   The denomination is printed in shimmering, transparent color that shifts in normal light.
2. Perforated Digits
   Fine perforations make up the denomination, which serves as a security feature and helps the visually impaired.
3. Microtext
   A short text about the featured individual is printed in tiny font only legible with a magnifying glass.
4. Tactile Element
   A symbol, different for every denomination, perceptible to touch is embossed on the lower edge of the front, aiding the visually impaired.

The South African Rand (R 50)

Obverse:

Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid revolutionary

Reverse:

Lion

1. Animal
   The lion featured on the back of the note appears within the circle.
2. Microprinting
   The denomination is printed in the animals to the left of Nelson Mandela, visible only with a magnifying glass.
3. Raised Slashes
   Raised lines on the right and left sides aid the visually impaired in determining the denomination.
4. Security Thread
   The security thread color differs for each banknote. It is printed with the number, Coat of Arms, and the words “SARB” and “Rand”.

Sources:
mas.gov.sg
uscurrency.gov
bankofcanada.ca
new-euro-banknotes.eu
banxico.org.mx
snb.ch