Damon Mcknight
Australia has one of the lowest rates of money counterfeiting in the world, thanks to its innovative security features. The country's use of polymer banknotes, which include a number of security devices, has made counterfeiting a difficult prospect. The unique polypropylene material used for these banknotes is produced using specialised technology and isn't commercially available. Additionally, the clear polymer base enables the inclusion of see-through windows, which are very difficult to counterfeit. With such advanced security features, creating counterfeit Australian money is a challenging endeavour that requires knowledge of polymer properties, replication techniques, and the chemistry and physics behind optically variable devices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Security features | The new Australian banknotes are printed on plastic and have several security features, including a unique top-to-bottom window with a flying cockatoo that moves its wings when the banknote is tilted. Other features include a number that changes direction, tiny text with excerpts from a poem, and a prominent patch that changes colour. |
| Polymer substrate | Australian banknotes use a unique polypropylene polymer substrate, which is produced using specialised technology and is not commercially available. This substrate contains several film layers created through a "bubble" process, where clear plastic beads are melted and blown into a large bubble. |
| Clear window | The use of a clear polymer base enables the inclusion of a see-through window, which is difficult to counterfeit. Each denomination of the existing series of Australian banknotes has a small clear window, while the new $5 note has a full-height window and a bird-shaped window. |
| Copyright and reproduction guidelines | The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), as the copyright owner, provides consent guidelines for reproducing or creating images of Australian banknotes. Reproductions must meet specific size and one-sidedness requirements and cannot be used in a misleading, inappropriate, or offensive manner. The relevant legislation includes the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981 and the Copyright Act 1968. |
| Handling of counterfeit money | If you suspect a banknote to be counterfeit, you have the right to refuse to accept it. Handle it as little as possible, place it in an envelope, and provide relevant information about how it came into your possession. Take it to the State or Federal police as it is an offense to knowingly possess counterfeit banknotes. |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding Australian banknote security features
Australia has one of the lowest rates of money counterfeiting in the world, thanks to its innovative banknote security features. The country's use of polymer banknotes, introduced in 1966, has been a major breakthrough in increasing the security of its currency. Here are some key security features that make Australian banknotes difficult to counterfeit:
Polymer Substrate
The use of a unique polypropylene polymer substrate, a type of plastic, is a key security feature of Australian banknotes. This material is not commercially available and is produced using specialised technology. It involves a "bubble" process where clear plastic beads are melted down and blown into a large bubble, creating film layers with oriented polymer molecules. This polymer substrate enables the inclusion of other security features, like clear windows.
Clear Windows
The clear windows on Australian banknotes are an integral part of the notes and are very challenging to counterfeit. Each denomination has a small clear window, and newer notes feature a full-height clear window with additional optical security features. For example, the $5 note has a window in the shape of a bird, and the $20, $50, and $100 notes have a rectangular patch that shows the value under ultraviolet (UV) light.
Tactile Feature
Australian banknotes include a tactile feature to assist the vision-impaired community in identifying the value of the notes. This feature provides a distinctive feel to the banknotes, making them easily recognisable by touch.
Optically Variable Devices
Australian banknotes incorporate optically variable devices (OVDs) that create dynamic visual effects. For example, tilting a banknote may reveal a three-dimensional image with a colourful border or a bird that moves its wings and changes colour.
Microprinting
All current Australian notes contain microprinting, which involves extremely small text that is difficult to replicate. This microprinting is used to include additional security information on the banknotes.
These security features, among others, make Australian banknotes highly secure and difficult to counterfeit effectively. Australia continues to innovate and enhance the security features of its currency to stay ahead of potential counterfeiters.
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The science behind polymer banknotes
The development of polymer banknotes in Australia was driven by the need to combat counterfeiting. In 1966, Australia transitioned from the pound to the dollar, issuing new state-of-the-art security banknotes with watermarks, metal threads, and raised printing. However, forgeries of these $10 notes soon emerged, causing a period of unrest and distrust.
In response, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), Dr. HC (Nugget) Coombs, turned to science for a solution. He enlisted seven top Australian scientists, including physicists and chemists, to develop more secure banknotes. This "'bank project'" was a collaboration between the RBA and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
The breakthrough came when Australian chemist and CSIRO chief research scientist, Dave Solomon, combined optically variable devices (OVDs) with a thin polymer base. OVDs are features that change with light or movement, such as holograms and colour-changing images. The thin polymer base added durability and damage resistance, making the banknotes difficult to counterfeit.
Polymer banknotes incorporate security features not available in paper banknotes, including see-through plastic windows, metal strips, and metameric inks. They are more durable than paper notes, lasting about 2.5 times longer, and can be recycled into plastic products. The introduction of polymer banknotes has resulted in significant cost savings for the Bank and the Australian public, estimated at close to $1 billion over 25 years.
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How to spot a counterfeit note
Australia has one of the lowest rates of money counterfeiting in the world, thanks to its innovative banknote security features. The introduction of polymer banknotes was a major breakthrough in increasing the security of Australian money. Here are some ways to spot a counterfeit Australian note:
Polymer Substrate: Australian banknotes are made from a unique polypropylene material produced using specialised technology. This substrate is not commercially available, making it difficult for counterfeiters to replicate. The substrate consists of several film layers created through a "bubble" process, where clear plastic beads are melted and blown into a large bubble, stretching the film in length and width to orient the polymer molecules.
Clear Windows: The use of a clear polymer base allows for the inclusion of see-through windows, which are challenging to counterfeit. Each denomination of Australian banknotes has at least one small clear window, with newer notes featuring larger windows incorporating optical security features.
Optically Variable Devices: Australian banknotes may include optically variable devices, such as a unique top-to-bottom window with a flying cockatoo. When tilting the banknote, you should see the cockatoo move its wings. Another security feature within this window is a building with a number that changes direction.
Microprinting: Australian banknotes often feature microprinting, which appears as tiny, clearly defined text in multiple locations on both sides of the banknote. This text may include excerpts from famous literary works, such as "The Man from Snowy River" by Banjo Paterson.
Colour-Changing Patches: Some Australian banknotes have prominent patches that change colour in a rolling effect, adding another layer of security.
If you suspect a banknote to be counterfeit, you have the right to refuse to accept it. Handle it as little as possible, place it in an envelope, and record relevant information such as where, when, and how it came into your possession. Remember, counterfeits have no value, and possessing them is an offence, so take the suspected note to the police as soon as possible.
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The legalities of reproducing banknotes
Australia has one of the lowest rates of money counterfeiting in the world. This is due in large part to the country's innovative use of polymer banknotes, which were first introduced in 1992. These polymer banknotes include a number of security devices that make them difficult to counterfeit. For example, the banknotes feature a clear polymer base, which enables the inclusion of a see-through window—a feature that is very challenging to forge. Additionally, the polymer substrate used for Australian banknotes is a unique polypropylene material that is produced using specialised technology and is not commercially available.
Given the sophisticated security features of Australian currency, reproducing banknotes is a challenging and illegal endeavour. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), as the copyright owner, sets strict conditions for reproducing or creating images of Australian banknotes. Firstly, reproductions or images of Australian banknotes must meet specific size requirements. They must be less than three-quarters or greater than one and a half times the length and width of the genuine banknote they reproduce, and they must be one-sided only. These conditions apply to both physical reproductions and electronic images.
The RBA reserves the right to object to any reproduction or image that it believes breaches the established conditions. Persons or entities choosing to reproduce or create images of Australian banknotes must make their own assessment of whether the conditions have been met and accept the risk that the RBA may object after publication. It is important to note that the RBA will not provide approval or express a view on specific reproductions or their use, and it retains the right to object at its discretion.
In addition to the RBA's conditions, persons or entities making reproductions of banknote designs should also be mindful of the Copyright Act 1968. This Act recognises the moral rights of designers, including their right to not have their images subjected to derogatory treatment, which could include any action prejudicial to their honour or reputation. Compliance with the RBA's conditions does not guarantee that a reproduction does not infringe on these moral rights.
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Techniques forgeries use
Australian banknotes are made of a unique polypropylene material, produced using specialised technology that isn't commercially available. This makes counterfeiting Australian money particularly challenging. The substrate contains several film layers created using a 'bubble' process, where clear plastic beads are melted down and blown into a large bubble. During this process, the film is stretched in both length and width to orientate the polymer molecules. This results in a clear window or windows within the notes, which are very difficult to replicate.
Forgers attempting to create counterfeit Australian money would need knowledge of polymer properties, replication techniques, and the chemistry and physics behind optically variable devices. They would also need to obtain or create similar film layers, which is a complex process.
Historically, anti-counterfeiting measures for paper money involved including fine details with raised intaglio printing, allowing non-experts to easily spot forgeries. On coins, milled or reeded edges were used to show that none of the valuable metal had been scraped off. This method, known as "clipping", involves shaving or paring off the rim of the coin. Another ancient counterfeiting technique is called "fourrée", where counterfeiters plate a base-metal core with precious metal to resemble a solid-metal coin.
With the introduction of polymer banknotes in Australia in 1988, counterfeiting became more difficult. However, counterfeiters have adapted their techniques, as seen in the batch of counterfeit A$50 and A$100 notes released in Melbourne in 2013. These notes were printed on paper and could be identified by scrunching or tearing them, as well as by the clear window, which appeared to be cut out and pieced together with plastic.
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Frequently asked questions
Counterfeiting money is illegal and highly unadvisable. Australia has one of the lowest rates of money counterfeiting in the world due to its innovative security features.
Australian money has a number of security features that have been implemented to prevent counterfeiting. These include:
- A unique polymer substrate made from polypropylene, which is not commercially available.
- A clear window with a number of optical security features, including a moving cockatoo and a number that changes direction.
- Tiny text with excerpts from 'The Man from Snowy River' by Banjo Paterson.
- A prominent patch that changes colour in a rolling effect.
To make a passable fake note, one would need knowledge of polymer properties, replication techniques, and the chemistry and physics behind optically variable devices.
Counterfeiting money is a serious offence and can result in legal consequences. If you come across a counterfeit banknote, it is essential to handle it as little as possible, place it in an envelope, and contact the State or Federal police.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has specific guidelines and consent conditions for reproducing or creating images of Australian banknotes. These include size, one-sided reproduction, and ensuring that reproductions cannot be used to create misleading or derogatory images. The relevant legislation includes the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981 and the Copyright Act 1968.
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