Australian banknotes are printed on polymer, a type of plastic, and they have a distinctive feel.Polymer banknotes were developed to make our currency more difficult to counterfeit. The polymermakes it possible to include a range of security features on our banknotes.
The security features that can be used to check a banknote are:
Polymer Substrate
Australian banknotes are printed on polymer, a type of plastic, and theyhave a distinctive feel. A genuine banknote should return back to shapeafter it is scrunched up.
Top-to-bottom window
There are multiple security features in the clear top-to-bottom window.The window should be an integral part of the banknote and not anaddition. Check that the security features in the window cannot beeasily rubbed off.
3D image
Tilt the banknote to see a three-dimensional image with a colourfulborder. The image will appear raised or recessed.
Flying bird
Tilt the banknote to see a bird move its wings and change colour in thetop-to-bottom window.
Colourful bird
Tilt the banknote to see colours change within a bird.
Reversing number
Tilt the banknote to see a number change direction within the building.The number alternately appears forwards, disappears, then appearsbackwards.
Rolling colour effect
Tilt the banknote to see a rolling colour effect. On one side of thebanknote it is a prominent patch near the top corner; on the other sideit is within a bird shape.
Image in small window
Look for an image in a small clear window. The image is embossed and hasa light and dark effect. The window should be an integral part of thebanknote and not an addition.
Intaglio print
Feel the distinctive texture of the dark printing. The slightly raisedprint can be felt by running a finger across the portraits andnumerals.
Background print (offset)
Multi-coloured and multi-directional fine-line patterns appear on eachside of the banknote. This background printing should be very sharp.Check for irregularities such as less clearly defined patterns, thickeror thinner lines, or colour differences.
Microprint
There is microprint, or tiny, clearly defined text, in multiple locationson the banknote.
Fluorescent Ink
A bird, the serial number and year of print fluoresce under UVlight.
To validate the UV fluorescent features on Australia's banknotes, it isrecommended that a UV black light with a wavelength that is centred around365nm be used, and that it is done so in low ambient lighting conditions.Many UV black lights that use Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) emit wavelengthsbetween 395–400nm, which are not suitable for viewing the UV features
Polymer Substrate
The plastic that Australian banknotes are printed on gives them adistinctive feel. A suspect banknote may feel thicker or thinner andlighter than a genuine banknote. Most counterfeits are printed on paperand can be easily torn. It is difficult to start a tear along the edgeof a genuine banknote. A genuine banknote should return back to shapeafter it is scrunched up.
Clear Window
The clear window should be an integral part of the banknote and not anaddition. Check that the white image printed on the window cannot beeasily rubbed off. Also look for the embossing – there is a wavepattern in the window of the $10 banknote, and the value of the banknotein the windows of $20, $50 and $100 banknotes. There is no embossing inthe window of the $5 banknote.
See-through Registration Device
Diamond-shaped patterns are printed inside a circle on both sides of abanknote. When a genuine banknote is held up to the light, the patternsshould line up perfectly to form a seven-pointed star within thecircle.
Shadow Image
When a genuine banknote is held up to the light, the Australian Coat ofArms should be visible under the print. This ‘shadow image’is created by variations in the background printing on the plasticsubstrate.
Intaglio Print
Intaglio is raised dark printing with a distinct feel. On genuineAustralian banknotes, the slightly raised print can be felt by running afinger across the portraits and other major design elements.
Background Print (offset)
Multi-coloured and multi-directional fine-line patterns appear on eachside of the banknote. This background printing should be very sharp.Check for irregularities such as less clearly defined patterns, thickeror thinner lines, or colour differences.
Microprinting
Tiny, clearly defined words are printed in the top left corner of the $5banknote, and near the portraits on the other denominations. Most peopleneed the help of a magnifying glass to read the microprinting. Mostbanknotes have their denomination microprinted in words (e.g. ‘FIFTYDOLLARS’), but the $10 banknote has poems by AB ‘Banjo’Paterson and Dame Mary Gilmore microprinted on it.
Fluorescent Ink
The serial numbers of an Australian banknote should fluoresce underultraviolet light. Also, a rectangularpatch showing the value becomes visible on the $20, $50 and $100banknotes, and a square patch appears on the $5 banknote.
To validate the UV fluorescent features on Australia'sbanknotes, it is recommended that a UV black light with a wavelengththat is centred around 365nm be used, andthat it is done so in low ambient lighting conditions. Many UV blacklights that use Light Emitting Diodes(LEDs) emit wavelengths between 395 – 400nm, which are notsuitable for viewing the UV features.
