Security Features on Australia’s Banknotes
Australian banknotes are printed on polymer (plastic) substrate instead of traditional paper. The RBA made the move to polymer to make Australia’s banknotes more secure against counterfeiting. Polymer banknotes are also more durable than paper banknotes, are cleaner and more hygienic, and can be recycled at the end of their useful life into a range of plastic products.
To check for the following security features on Australia’s banknotes:
Go To
- Clear Window
- Polymer Substrate
- See-through Registration Device
- Shadow Image
- Intaglio Print
- Background Print (offset)
- Microprinting
- Fluorescent Ink Properties
Clear Window
The clear window is a simple, yet effective security device, which allows a first-level check on the authenticity of the banknote through casual observation. On a genuine banknote the window should have clarity and be part of the banknote, not an addition. Within the clear window there is a printed image and embossing:
$5 banknote - a stylised gumflower, no embossing
Federation $5 banknote - embossing of the number '5'
$10 banknote - a windmill with embossing of a wave pattern
$20 banknote - a compass with embossing of the number '20'
$50 banknote - the Southern Cross with embossing of the number '50'
$100 banknote - a lyrebird with embossing of the number '100'
Polymer Substrate
A genuine banknote is printed on special polymer (plastic) and has a distinctive feel. A suspect banknote may feel excessively thick or thin compared to a genuine banknote. It is difficult to start a tear along an edge of a genuine banknote. The vast majority of counterfeits are printed on paper and can be easily torn.
See-through Registration Device
The see-through registration device works when images printed on each side of a banknote are in perfect register when the banknote is viewed in transmitted light. When the see-through registration device on our banknotes is held to the light, a seven-pointed star within a circle is formed by four points on one side of the banknote combining perfectly with three points on the other side.
Shadow Image
The shadow image is an image created by variations
in opacity of the substrate that can be viewed
in transmitted light even if under other print.
The shadow image on our banknotes is an image of the
Australian Coat of Arms
(this feature is not included in the Federation $5 banknote).
Intaglio Print
Intaglio is a raised print (dark ink) with a distinct feel and is normally used for portraits, denomination numerals, text and other major design elements. On our banknotes, the slightly raised printing can be felt by running a finger or fingernail across the portraits and other major design elements.
Background Print (offset)
A flat print is used to create coloured background designs. Various line structures and the use of colour and specialised inks add to the security of the banknote. Multi-coloured and multi-directional fine-line patterns appear on each side of the banknote.
Microprinting
Microprint is small but well defined text printed by offset or intaglio at a size that usually requires a magnifying glass to read. On our banknotes the microprinted words (e.g.'FIFTY DOLLARS') are generally located near the portraits.
Fluorescent Ink Properties
A printed feature in a banknote, which may or may not be visible in normal light, fluoresces when viewed under ultra-violet light. On genuine banknotes, the serial numbers, which are located on the back of the banknote, fluoresce under ultra-violet light. A patch showing the denomination (e.g. '50') becomes visible on the $20, $50 and $100 banknote whilst a square patch appears on the $5 banknote. On the Federation $5 banknote, look for wattle leaves and the number '5'.
