In this occasional series, we round up the recent new issues of banknotes containing a hologram or other optically variable device.
The Monetary Authority of Macao, together with the country’s two note issuing banks – Bank of China and Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU) – have held a presentation to unveil a new series of banknotes with enhanced features for security and the visually impaired.
The first two denominations in the new series, the 10 and 20 patacas, will be issued in the first quarter of 2024. The other denominations – the 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 patacas – will follow in pairs in 2025 and 2026.
The horizontal design, overall colour palette and dimensions of the banknotes will remain as the current series, which was issued in 2005 and 2008 by the BNU and Bank of China respectively. The two sets of notes will, however, have eight standardised security features, including – for the 10 and 20 patacas – holographic security threads and optically variable magnetic ink. They will also include raised lines and braille for the visually impaired.
In terms of design, the Bank of China notes will feature the Southern Lion as the principal image on the front, which represents the spirit of Macao, and different buildings or icons, which represent Macau’s historical heritage on the reverse.
The Bank of Russia introduced new 1,000 and 5,000 ruble notes at the beginning of October.
The theme of the new series is cities and federal districts throughout Russia. The new 1,000 ruble is dedicated to Nizhny Novgorod and the Volga Federal District, while the 5,000 ruble is dedicated to Yekaterinburg and the Urals Federal District.
Both banknotes carry a QR code with a link to the Bank’s website providing detailed information about their design and security features. These include a new optically variable security thread (VFI, or visual formed image) in a shaped window, which is also present in the 2,000 ruble issued in 2017. The new 200 ruble was also issued in 2017, and the new 100 ruble last year.
The VFI is a diffractive thread and, when the banknote is tilted, movement of individual numerals in the denomination (1000 or 5000) and the acronym ‘ЦБРФ’ can be observed in the figured window. When the banknote is rotated, the denomination changes to the acronym. At a certain angle of observation, a 3D symbol of the ruble appears on a rainbow background.
