End of last month, a guy posted a question in Malaysia Star newspaper opinion section, on how to check for RM100 note security features. In his writing, sound like he just received a fake 100 notes and a little bit frustrated with it. Anyway, he got it from a bank and manage to change it from the bank who give him the counterfeit 100 ringgit. Another proof that most Malaysian don't know their money very well; he asked Bank Negara on how do you spot a fake RM100 bill? Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) already produced an official post in their website on how to spot the security features when the RM100 banknote out for circulation. Maybe this guy don't have access for any Internet or don't know how to find any information using Internet.
The theme of this current RM100 is "Wawasan 2020" (Vision 2020) reflects Malaysia's economic development and achievement towards a fully developed country. For the RM100 denomination, the background motif depicts the manufacturing sector. This is represented by a car production line, next to which is shown a close-up of a Proton car engine. The centre of the note depicts a gear wheel and cam-patterns from the side and above everything in rotation. The new series also use RM as the currency symbol for the Malaysian Ringgit.
Here is the question asked by the Star Newspaper reader:
LAST Thursday I withdrew some money from a commercial bank in Petaling Jaya and later, I deposited the entire sum in another bank in the same vicinity. The teller in the receiving bank detected a forged RM100 note from the bundle. This was confirmed by an officer in the bank who had the note duly endorsed “FORGED” in bold letters and returned it to me. I was advised to contact the first bank. When I complained to the teller in the first bank, she replaced the forged note with two RM50 bills without any question.
I have heard of RM50 counterfeit notes, but this is the first time I have come across a fake RM100 bill. The public is at a loss as to where to look for the flaw in the security features in the RM100 bill, whether in the security thread, watermark or metallic strip.
Perhaps Bank Negara can advise.
S. SUNDARESON, Petaling Jaya.
To Sundareson, you can easily recognise genuine Malaysian notes by their security features which are easily visible but you need to look carefully to differentiate the genuine notes from the counterfeits. Here are the easiest way to check:
- Watermark.
The shaded watermark can be recognised by tints that are lighter or darker than the surrounding paper. This watermark portrait which has a three-dimensional effect appears soft and shady without sharp outlines. At the base of the watermark, the numeral 100 is clearly visible.- Micro Lettering's.
In this tactile rectangle, the micro-lettering's with the text RM100 are all legible under a magnifying glass and collectively form the word "BNM" if viewed from a distance.- Security Thread.
The thread is embedded in the paper and appears on the reverse side of the note as a silver coloured dotted line . When the note is held against the light, it is seen as a continuous dark coloured line and the repeated text BNM RM100 can be read. When viewed under ultra-violet light, the thread is seen in various changing colours known as the "rainbow effect".- PEAK (Printed and Embossed Anticopy Key)Square.
When changing the angle of view by shifting the note, the numeral 100 will be revealed in the centre of the PEAK® square. The whole square will glow under ultra-violet light. When held against the light, three open spaces on the obverse side will register perfectly with equal printed markings on the reverse side.
You can read more about RM100 security features in BNM official website but this for features are the easiest way to check for fake RM100 notes. Most of the time people received fakes notes because they don't check the money when they received it. For further information about the security features of Malaysian notes, you can go to any Bank Negara Malaysia branch and asked them for info pamphlets. If you received any fake notes, please don't used it because using it means you intended to circulated fake notes and it is an offence. Members of the public should immediately inform either Bank Negara Malaysia or the Police if they come into contact with Malaysian notes suspected of being counterfeit.
Wish this information will be helpful to everyone. Any of you received any fake notes recently?
Source: Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysia Star Newspaper.
For Malaysia new series of RM100 banknotes, you can read my tips on this post;
