Distinguishing Counterfeit Notes

---

Security Features

A set of security features was decided for all denominations of the Portrait series. Such an approach is widely practised by developed countries such as Germany, France and Switzerland. It gives the public a unified method of identification as well as a sufficient range of visual and high-tech protection.

In the Portrait series, security features are incorporated in such a way as to create an integrated and supportive defence structure. No element is included in an isolated manner such that it can be easily separated for simulation. For better defence against modern methods of counterfeiting, more effective security features are incorporated in the Portrait notes. Among them are the inclusion of highly reflective security features such as the Kinegram and the windowed holographic security thread which cannot be reproduced simply by the printing process.

The foundation of the Portrait notes' security is the paper substrate. The paper substrate used is made from 100% cotton which gives it a unique feel. The paper substrate forms the basis of the paper's strength, watermarks and security threads. Combined with the printed and non-printed features, an effective umbrella of protection is created for the Portrait Notes. Among the many printed and non-printed security features incorporated are:

Identifiable Security Features in Presidential Notes

Engraved Portrait The portrait of the late Encik Yusof bin Ishak dominates the front of the Portrait Series notes. Hand-engraved and printed in intaglio ink, the Portrait serves as a unique anti-counterfeiting feature. The fine lines of the engraving are difficult to imitate or reproduce. | go to top |
Portrait Watermark A three-dimensional multi-tone portrait watermark of the late Encik Yusof bin Ishak can be seen when viewed against transmitted light. The watermark has a three-dimensional appearance with areas in varying tones of dark and light. | go to top |
Intaglio Prints The intaglio (raised) printing gives the note an embossed feel. Widespread use of this intaglio printing on the Singapore Arms, the engraved Portrait, the word SINGAPORE and other areas offer good overall tactility. The prints are finely done so that tiny details are clearly defined. The intaglio printing of the denomination numeral of each note also helps recognition by the visually handicapped. | go to top |
Lithographic Prints The background on both sides of the notes is printed by the lithographic process. The smooth, rainbowed and anti-photographic background makes camera counterfeiting difficult and photographic separation virtually impossible. | go to top |
Highlight Watermark This monotone watermark is located below the Portrait watermark on the front of the note. It corresponds with the Braille pattern at the top right-hand corner of each denomination. The primary characteristic of the Highlight Watermark is that its extra thin area makes it appear clear and distinct when the note is held against light. | go to top |
Asymmetrical Serial Numbers (Vertical & Horizontal) The asymmetrical serial numbering style has progressively larger digits in adjacent positions. One of the serial numbers appears horizontally, the other vertically. The serial numbers both glow under ultra-violet light. | go to top |
Kinegram The Kinegram appears as an octagonal foil on the front of the notes. It contains an image of the denomination numeral which shifts as the note is tilted. On varying the viewing angle, one can also see the logo of BCCS transforming into the letters "BCCS". The background of the Kinegram is composed of shapes representing electron orbitals which change from bright to dark as the notes are rotated. This background shimmers in an array of colors when rotated. These features are unique properties to the Kinegram and cannot be replicated. | go to top |
Lift Twin Two distinctively different and latent images bearing the BCCS logo and the Singapore Lion symbol become visible alternately when the note is tilted at various angles. The Lift Twin also glows brightly under violet light. | go to top |
Micro-Printing The text 'Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore' is in micro-letters above the four official languages of the word SINGAPORE on the front of the note. To the naked eye, this appears as a single line but the details can be seen legibly with the aid of a magnifying glass. | go to top |
Fluorescent Ink The fluorescent pigment on the serial numbers and the seal on the front of the notes glow brightly under ultra-violet light. This feature also appears on some parts of the designs both on the front and back of the note. | go to top |
Anti-Colour Copying Line Structures These line structures appear at the right of the front design and on the areas below and above the Portrait watermark on the back of the note. Hidden distortions will appear at these areas when the note is colour-copied. | go to top |
Perfect Registration The Singapore Lion symbol appearing near the watermark is printed simultaneously with the same image on the front and back of the note. When held against transmitted light, the Singapore Lion symbol on the front registers perfectly with the image on the back. | go to top |
Security Thread The windowed machine-readable thread is interwoven in the paper vertically down the face of the note. The thread is visible continuously when viewed through transmitted light and it shows a series of text featuring the denomination numeral of the note as well as the word SINGAPORE in the four official languages. Holographic images of the Singapore Lion symbol of the MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) logo can also be seen on the silver-colored thread when the viewing angle is varied. | go to top |
Invisible Feature This feature, in the form of the denomination numeral of the note, is present on the front of the note. It is invisible under ordinary lighting condition but glows brightly under ultra-violet light. | go to top |
Invisible Fluorescent Fibres Fibres which are invisible to the unaided eye are incorporated on both sides of the note surface. The fibres, which cannot be seen in ordinary light, will glow under ultra-violet light. | go to top |

Great effort has been made to bring the Portrait series notes to fruition. The work has encompassed reviewing all relevant technology worldwide and identifying the best. It has required anticipation of the way technology will proceed in future and how criminals will respond to it. There can be no perfect solution as no currency note can claim to be counterfeit-proof. The objective is to place as many entry barriers as possible to this type of crime. At the same time, these have to be achieved in a manner that places few restrictions on the use of the notes. Without doubt, the Portrait series notes have taken the levels of public recognition, automated performance and visual image interests to new heights.