General Information on Malaysian Banknotes: RM1

Bank Negara Malaysia is reintroducing the new RM1 note, the sixth denomination issued in the new design Malaysian currency notes series (3rd series). The new RM1 bears the signature of the present Governor, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, who assumed office on 1 May 2000. The new RM1 note printed earlier bears the signature of the Immediate Past Governor Tan Sri Dato' Seri Ali Abul Hassan bin Sulaiman. The new RM 1 note will incorporate the latest security features to deter counterfeiting.

The theme of the new series, "Wawasan 2020" reflects Malaysia's economic development and accomplishment towards achieving the status of a fully developed country. The main focus reflected in the background motif is the tourism sector. This is depicted with an illustration of a Malaysian kite, the beach, Mount Kinabalu and the pinnacles of Gunung Api located in Mulu National Park. This motif also reflects some off the popular tourist destinations in the country. As with the other denominations of the same series, the new RM1 note will also bear RM as the currency symbol for the Malaysian Ringgit.

The security features of the RM1 denomination are highlighted in this website as a guide to the public. These features include the security thread with the repeated "BNM RM1" text, three-dimensional watermark portrait, anticopy feature known as "PEAK" and security fibres in the paper. The new RM1 note retains the predominant blue colour of the existing RM1 note design. The intaglio (raised printing) portrait of the First Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong is retained as a dominant feature.

The public is advised to note carefully the security features and design of the RM1 note as outlined above.

RM1 Security Feature

Click on any of the numbered features on the notes below for further detail:




Watermark Portrait (1)
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 1 is clearly visible.
Section 1 of the obverse of the note:


Paper Colour
The paper is in a light shade of blue.


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Security Thread (2)
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 RM1" can be read. When viewed under ultra-violet light, the thread is seen in bluish colour.

Section 2 of the reverse of the note:

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Security Fibre (3)
When viewed under ultra-violet light, the security fibres in the paper become visible in three colours: red, yellow and blue.
Section 3 of the obverse of the note:


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Intaglio Print (4)
The intaglio print is a raised printing effect produced by applying layers of tactile inks on various parts of the obverse and reverse sides of the notes, such as the portrait of the First Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, denomination figures, ornamental elements and the wordings "BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA".
Section 4 of the obverse of the note:

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PEAK® (Printed and Embossed Anticopy Key) (5)
PEAK® is a Printed and Embossed Anticopy Key security feature. When changing the angle of view by shifting the note, the numeral 1 will be revealed in the centre of the PEAK® square. The whole square will glow under ultra-violet light.
Section 5 of the obverse of the note:

[a] Normal appearance	[b] When held at an angle

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Perfect See-Through Register (6)
When the note is held against the light, the hibiscus flower on the obverse will register perfectly with the same flower on the reverse of the note. This flower will also glow under ultra-violet light.
Section 6 of the note:
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Modulated Micro-Letterings (7)
In this tactile rectangle, the micro-letterings with the text "RM1" are all legible under a magnifying glass and collectively form the word "BNM" if viewed from a distance.
Section 7 of the obverse of the note:

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Background Micro-Letterings (8)
The pattern of the bluish and purplish rectangles contains legible micro-letterings of "BNM" when viewed under a magnifying glass while some of the bluish and purplish rectangles will fluoresce under ultra-violet light.
Section 8 of the obverse of the note:

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Micro-Letterings (9)
The lower left part of the kite at the back of the note contains legible micro-letterings of the word "BANKNEGARAMALAYSIA" in blue when viewed under a magnifying glass.
Section 9 of the reverse of the note :

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Invisible Fluorescent Elements (10)
Various elements of the background on the obverse and reverse will fluoresce in different colours when viewed under ultra-violet light.
Section 9 of the reverse of the note:

[a] Normal appearance	[b] When viewed under ultra-violet light

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Anti-Scanner/Copier Features (11)
The note features certain areas, designed such that these will change appearance when copied/scanned.
Section 11 of the obverse of the note :

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Phosphorescene Square (12)
In this square, the letters "BNM" and the numeral "1" will become visible under ultra-violet light.
Section 12 of the obverse of the note:
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Braille Feature (13)
The diamond shape braille markings feature a layer of tactile ink printed in intaglio that can be felt by touching.
Section 13 of the obverse of the note:

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Novel Numbering (14)
The serial numbers increase in size to make it more difficult to counterfeit. The numbers fluoresce under ultra-violet light.
Section 14 of the reverse of the note:

[a] Normal appearance	[b] When viewed under ultra-violet light