Damon Mcknight
Australian banknotes are considered some of the hardest in the world to counterfeit due to their sophisticated security features. However, fake currency still finds its way into shops and businesses, so it's important to know how to spot a counterfeit note. One of the easiest ways to tell is by feeling the note – real Australian money is printed on polymer, a type of plastic, and should feel like it, too. If a note feels like paper or is excessively thick or thin, it's likely fake. Another simple test is to scrunch the note in your hand – a real banknote, made out of polymer, should spring back to its original shape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Counterfeit AUD will be either thick or thinner than the original. Original banknotes are difficult to tear along the edges. |
| Light Test | The Australian Coat of Arms should be visible when held up to the light. |
| Print Quality | The print quality will be sharp, and the colours may differ in a fake currency. |
| Printing | On real currency, there is micro-printed tiny but precise words that can be spotted with a magnifying glass. |
| UV light | The serial numbers and a patch on the notes that show their value should glow when held up to a UV light, but the remaining note shouldn't. |
| Security Features | The clear security window is an important part of the note and should have an image on it that has a light and dark effect. Security features in the window cannot be rubbed off, and the area around the window is usually smooth. |
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What You'll Learn
- Texture test: Real notes are printed on polymer, a type of plastic
- Light test: The Australian Coat of Arms should be visible when held up to light
- Print quality: The print quality is sharp, and colours may differ on fake notes
- Microprinting: Tiny, precise words can be seen with a magnifying glass
- UV light: Serial numbers and a patch should glow under UV light
Texture test: Real notes are printed on polymer, a type of plastic
Australian banknotes are printed on polymer, a type of plastic. This is one of the reasons why Australian currency is considered one of the hardest to counterfeit. A texture test can help you identify counterfeit money. Real notes should feel like plastic, whereas fake notes may feel like paper. Counterfeit notes may also be either thicker or thinner than a real note.
Real banknotes are also difficult to tear along the edges. If you scrunch up a real banknote, it should return to its original shape. This is because of the polymer material it is printed on.
If you suspect that you have a counterfeit banknote, it is important to handle it as little as possible. Store it in an envelope and report it to the police. You can also include the serial number if you are photographing the note.
Other security features include a clear window with an image that has a light and dark effect. The area around the window should be smooth. The serial numbers and a patch on the notes that show their value should glow when held under a UV light.
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Light test: The Australian Coat of Arms should be visible when held up to light
The Reserve Bank of Australia has outlined several security features on Australian banknotes that can help individuals identify counterfeit money. One of these security features is the light test.
When held up to the light, you should be able to see the Australian Coat of Arms on a real $50 banknote. This is one of the ways to ensure that the banknote you are holding is authentic. The light test is a simple and effective way to check the originality of the banknote.
The Coat of Arms should be clearly visible when the note is illuminated from behind. This security feature is designed to be easily verified by both individuals and businesses. By holding the note up to a light source, such as a lamp or a window, one can quickly determine whether the Coat of Arms is present and correctly positioned.
It is important to remember that while the light test is a useful tool, it should not be the only method relied upon to detect counterfeit money. There are other security features that can be used in conjunction with the light test to more accurately identify fake banknotes. These include checking the texture of the banknote, the print quality, and the use of special ink that can be felt with your hands.
If you suspect that you have received a counterfeit banknote, it is important to handle it with care and report it to the authorities as soon as possible. Do not try to spend or exchange the suspected counterfeit note, as this is illegal. Instead, place it in an envelope and contact the relevant law enforcement agency to report the incident.
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Print quality: The print quality is sharp, and colours may differ on fake notes
Australian banknotes are said to be the hardest to counterfeit. However, it is still important to be vigilant and check your money for any signs of counterfeiting. One of the key indicators of a counterfeit banknote is the print quality. Here are some things to look out for:
Firstly, the print quality of a genuine Australian banknote is sharp and clear. The Reserve Bank of Australia states that genuine banknotes are printed with special ink that can be felt by running your finger over the note. If you cannot feel the ink, the note may be counterfeit.
Secondly, the colours on a genuine banknote should be consistent and match the standard colours of Australian currency. Counterfeit notes may have slight variations in colour or shade, so it is important to be familiar with the correct colours of each denomination.
Additionally, genuine Australian banknotes often include microprinted words that can be spotted with a magnifying glass. These tiny words are difficult to replicate and may appear blurred or smudged on a counterfeit note.
It is also important to examine the overall appearance of the note. Counterfeit notes may have blurry or uneven printing, smudged ink, or misaligned edges. Genuine banknotes should have sharp, clear, and precise printing.
Finally, if you suspect that you have received a counterfeit note, it is important to handle it with care and report it to the authorities as soon as possible. Do not try to pass the note on to others, as it is illegal to knowingly possess or distribute counterfeit currency. By being vigilant and familiar with the print quality and other security features of Australian currency, you can help prevent the circulation of counterfeit money.
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Microprinting: Tiny, precise words can be seen with a magnifying glass
Australian banknotes are considered one of the hardest currencies to counterfeit due to their sophisticated security features. One such feature is microprinting, which involves printing tiny, precise words that can only be seen with a magnifying glass. This security measure helps to distinguish genuine banknotes from counterfeit ones.
Microprinting is a complex process that requires advanced printing technology and techniques. The tiny words or characters are printed at a very small size, often smaller than the width of a human hair. This makes them extremely difficult to replicate or reproduce, even with modern printing equipment.
When examining an Australian banknote, you can use a magnifying glass to look for these tiny words or patterns. They are usually located in specific areas of the banknote, such as along the borders, within the intricate designs, or near important features like the denomination number or the signature.
The presence of microprinting adds an extra layer of security to the banknote. Counterfeiters often struggle to reproduce these minuscule details accurately, as they require specialised knowledge and equipment. By including microprinting, the Reserve Bank of Australia makes it more challenging for criminals to create convincing counterfeit banknotes.
In addition to microprinting, other security features unique to Australian currency include the use of polymer, a type of plastic, as the printing material. This gives the banknotes a distinct texture and makes them difficult to tear. The clear security window, which displays an image with a light and dark effect, is another crucial feature. These security measures work together to safeguard the integrity of Australian currency and deter counterfeiting attempts.
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UV light: Serial numbers and a patch should glow under UV light
Australian banknotes are printed on a type of plastic called polymer, which gives them a distinctive feel and makes them difficult to counterfeit. One way to identify counterfeit banknotes is by using ultraviolet (UV) light. When placed under a UV black light with a wavelength centred around 365 nm, the serial numbers on genuine Australian banknotes should fluoresce, or glow. Additionally, a rectangular patch showing the value of the banknote becomes visible under UV light on the $20, $50, and $100 banknotes, while a square patch appears on the $5 banknote.
It is important to note that the ambient lighting conditions should be low for the UV fluorescent features to be accurately validated. Many UV black lights that use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emit wavelengths between 395-400 nm, which are not suitable for viewing these UV features.
UV light is a useful tool for detecting counterfeit currency, but it is not the only method. Australian banknotes incorporate various security features that can be used to verify their authenticity. For example, the clear security window on genuine banknotes should be an integral part of the banknote, with security features that cannot be easily rubbed off. The window should also have an image with a light and dark effect, and the area around it is typically smooth.
Another way to identify counterfeit banknotes is by feeling their texture. Genuine Australian banknotes are printed on polymer, giving them a unique feel. Counterfeit banknotes, on the other hand, may feel thicker, thinner, or lighter than genuine ones, as they are often printed on paper and can be easily torn.
It is worth mentioning that possessing or using counterfeit money is illegal in Australia, and offenders can face jail time. If you suspect that you have received a counterfeit banknote, it is recommended to handle it as little as possible and report it to the State or Federal police.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian banknotes are printed on a type of plastic called polymer, so if the note you're holding feels like paper, it's likely to be fake. Real banknotes are also difficult to tear and will spring back after being scrunched up.
The clear window on each banknote has different designs depending on the value. For example, the $50 note has a picture of a bird whose wings will move and change colour when the note is tilted. The clear window on newer notes will also have holograms printed on them.
If you suspect a banknote is fake, you have the right to refuse to accept it. You should handle it as little as possible and place it in an envelope, then take it to the State or Federal police as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, counterfeits have no value, so you will not be reimbursed.
