Thursday, August 18, 2011

Philippines Peso notes authentication levels

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) last year has released a New Generation Currency (NGC), P20, P50, P100, P200, P500, and P1,000; all have new designs and security features. Philippines NGC printed with Bioguard technology by Arjowiggins. Bioguard produces banknotes that are treated to prevent bacteria from multiplying. The anti-bacterial property has been tested to resist washing and will last throughout the lifetime of the banknote. Do you know that BSP has incorporated security features that allow for four levels of authentication?


Philippines Peso notes authentication levels:

(1) Level I: Security features which can be easily recognized by the public without the use of special instrument. These are the “look, feel, tilt” elements in the notes such as watermark, security thread, and security fibers.

(2) Level II: Security features recognizable by professional cash handlers or bank tellers with the use of magnifying lens or ultraviolet light. Examples are fluoro-phosphorescent features, security fibers, and microprinting.

(3) Level III: The hidden or covert security features reserved for the use of Bangko Sentral.

(4) Level IV: Forensic security features for the use of law enforcers in testifying whether a banknote is genuine or counterfeit. These are detectable at specialized laboratories.

The central bank presented these authentication methods as it launched the new currency generation of P20, P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1, 000 banknotes around Western Visayas recently. An example of these security features are the embossed prints of the words “Republika ng Pilipinas” and “Sanlibong Piso” on the P1,000 bill that can be detected by the “feel” method. BSP said the public will benefit from the security features of the new currency as they will be protected from receiving fake money.

Source: Pia.gov.ph