SECURITY FEATURES OF GENUINE
NOTES AND COINS
Security features in currency notes act as a
safeguard to minimise the risk of counterfeiting. It is important for the public to be
aware of some of these security features and be able to distinguish between genuine and
counterfeit notes which are completely worthless.
The security features incorporated in the notes provide for visible
identification and authentication both by eye and by machine. There are two types of
security features i.e. those of coverted and overted nature. The coverted types are solely
for the knowledge of the authorities while the key overted security features to look for
in the paper notes are as follow:
FEEL OF THE PAPER
If the note is in reasonable condition it should be crisp and not limp,
waxy or shiny. Raised printing (intaglio printing) is used for some of the features on the
note and it feels rough to touch. Security paper and special printing processes give
currency notes a unique ‘feel’ and genuine paper does not reflect ultra-violet
light and therefore will not glow when exposed to that light.
QUALITY OF PRINTING
Lines should be sharp and well-defined with no blurred edges. The
colours should be clear and distinct with no hazy fringes. Anti-copier and anti-scanner
line structures were also incorporated as a defence against counterfeiting involving
traditional methods or the use of colour photocopiers and scanners.
WATERMARK
It should be hardly apparent until the note is held up to the light.
Then a clearly defined portrait of His Majesty Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri
Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan
of Brunei Darussalam with subtle gradations of light and shade, is visible.
SECURITY THREAD
All genuine notes have a thread embedded in the paper. In the 1989
series, the security thread is continuous and embedded. In the 1996 series of $50 and $100
notes, the security thread used is "windowed" and it appeared as a series of
silver dashes on the front. In these two denominations, the "windowed" thread
appears as a bold continuous line when held up to the light.
As for the polymer series, the main security features are:-
a transparent clear window.
a translucent shadow image of the initials "HB" of His
Majesty can be seen when held up to the light.
the serial registration numbers are printed both vertically and
horizontally in fonts of varying sizes.
When notes are held up to the light, a flower is formed by combining
printing on both sides of the notes.
Please note that the above list of security features is by no means an
exhaustive one. They only serve as a guide for the general public.
As for coins, the genuineness is determined by two other factors i.e.
the tone and finish, besides the specifications of sizes and weights as gazetted. A
genuine coin gives a sharp ringing tone when dropped on a hard surface. Secondly, the
relief of the design, milled edges (all have milled edges except for 1 cent coin),
lettering and characters on both the obverse and reverse are very sharp and defined on
genuine coins.
DEALING WITH COUNTERFEIT NOTES AND
COINS
If you are in doubt as to the
genuineness of a Brunei note or coin, please do not hesitate to come to The Brunei
Currency Board to have it verified.
The holding and passing of counterfeit notes or coins is a criminal
offence. Under the Currency Act Section 9(3), any person found guilty of issuing any notes
or coins, or any document or token which resembles or is likely to pass as legal tender,
shall be penalised to imprisonment for 7 years and a fine. So, if you discover or receive
a counterfeit note or coin, you should report immediately to the nearest police station
and Brunei Currency Board. Some examples of security features on genuine notes are
as follows :-
1996 POLYMER SERIES ($1, $5, $10)
1996 PAPER SERIES ($50, $100)
1989 PAPER SERIES ($1, $5, $10, $50, $100, $500,
$1,000 & $10,000)
2000 SERIES ($500)
