Acting proactively to forestall circulation of counterfeited notes, the Central Bank of Nigeria has released the security features of the newly released N1,000 notes, N500 note and N200 note to aid easy recognition of the fake.
According to the CBN, the N1,000 note has 23 security features, the N500 note has 15 security features, while the N200 note has 10 security features.
Identification of fake notes include through touch, appearance, the security thread and the watermark. Other areas such as the portrait, lettering and the denominational numerals on the obverse and reverse of the notes that are embossed.
A soft texture and dull image are indicators of a fake naira. That means one should be sensitive to the touch of the banknote when carrying out a transaction.
There is also need to observe the gold foil on the right side, close to the CBN governor’s signature. One can also differentiate the genuine naira note from counterfeit by applying liquid to the note, and a fake currency can easily change colour.
Also, the ribbon-like thread on all Naira notes can also be observed and touched to confirm if the note is genuine or otherwise.
One can also raise a naira notes on a mercury bulb. This exercise enables the one to see many features of the local currency, not visible to the naked eyes, among others.
The Naira notes are also protected against photocopying. There are also features, which are visible under ultraviolet light; for example, the serial number on each banknote is black, but turns green under ultraviolet light.
For the N1000 notes, the apex bank stated that users should look out for intaglio raised print, portrait watermark, officially variable ink that changes from blue to green with a change in angle of view, kinegram with the image of N1,000 and Coat of Arms, iridescent band, windowed metallic security thread and see-through printing in register.
The N500 notes have security features like hand-engraved portrait, windowed metallic security thread with CBN inscription, CBN 500 watermark, portrait watermark, officially variable ink that changes from blue to green with a change in angle of view, silver patch with embossed Coat of Arms, see through printing in register and raised intaglio print.
The N200 notes have several security features like hand-engraved portrait, windowed metallic security thread with CBN inscription, CBN 200 watermark, portrait watermark, officially variable ink that changes from blue to green with a change in angle of view, gold patch with embossed Coat of Arms, see through printing in register and raised intaglio print.
