General Information on Malaysian Banknotes: RM50

Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing a new RM50 note, the second highest denomination in a new design Malaysian currency notes series (3rd series). The new series incorporate new security features and retain some of the existing security features to deter counterfeiting. The new series will circulate alongside the existing series until the existing series are gradually phased out.

The theme of the new series, "Wawasan 2020" reflects Malaysia's economic development and achievement towards a fully developed country. For the RM50 denomination, the background motif depicts the mining sector. This is represented by a central oil drilling platform together with wellhead control valves. In the background are images of oil pipes - symbolic of the many branches of the oil industry. The new series will also use RM as the currency symbol for the Malaysian Ringgit.

The security features of the RM50 denomination are highlighted here as a guide to the public. These features include the security thread  with the repeated "BNM RM50" text, three-dimensional watermark portrait, optical variable strip known as "LEAD®", anticopy feature known as "PEAK®" and security fibres in the paper. The new RM50 note retains the green and blue predominant colours of the existing design RM50 note. The size of the note is also slightly reduced to facilitate easier handling and to be consistent with size reduction of other denominations in the new series. The intaglio (raised printing) of the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong is retained as a dominant feature.

The design layout for the Bank's logo in the top left hand corner, the denomination numeral and serial numbering, matches already established layout for the RM2 and RM10 new design denominations. Also, the perfect see-through hibiscus (in register with the front of the design) has been included on the central top and bottom edges as a common feature in the new series.

A horizontal "novel" style serial number is positioned in the top left hand corner, printed in black magnetic fluorescent ink. On the right hand edge of the note (to the right of the portrait watermark), a vertical "novel" serial number is printed in red fluorescent ink.

The public is advised to look carefully to differentiate the genuine notes from the counterfeits based on the features as outlined.

RM50 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 50 is clearly visible.
Section 1 of the obverse of the note:

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Security Fibres (2)
When viewed under ultra-violet light, the security fibres in the paper become visible in three colours: red, yellow and blue.
Section 2 of the obverse of the note:

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Security Thread (3)
The thread is embedded in the paper and appears on the reverse side of the note as a silver coloured dotted line [a]. When the note is held against the light, it is seen as a continuous dark coloured line and the repeated text BNM RM50 can be read [b]. When viewed under ultra-violet light, the thread is seen in various changing colours known as the "rainbow effect" [c].
Section 3 of the reverse of the note (Click to view a larger representation of the image):

[a] Normal appearance	[b] When held against the light	[c] When viewed under ultra-violet light

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PEAK® (Printed and Embossed Anticopy Key) (4)
When changing the angle of view by shifting the note, the numeral 50 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.
Section 4 of the obverse of the note (Click to view a larger representation of the image):

[a] Normal appearance	[b] When held at an angle	[c] When viewed under ultra-violet light

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LEAD® (Longlasting Economical Anticopy Device) (5)
Its holographic design represents the same motifs as used in the purple area with which the LEAD® strip is partially overprinted as well as the words "RM50" and "BNM". The colours of these elements change when the view angle is shifted. On both sides of the strip, a dedicated print pattern becomes visible under ultra-violet light.
Section 5 of the obverse of the note (Click to view a larger representation of the image):

[a] Normal appearance	[b] When held at an angle	[c] When viewed under ultra-violet light

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Intaglio Print (6)
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 6 of the obverse of the note (Click to view a larger representation of the image:

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Phosphoresence Square (7)
In this square, the letters "BNM" and the numeral 50 will become visible under ultra-violet light.
Section 7 of the obverse of the note:

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

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Perfect See-Through Register (8)
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 8 of the note:

[a] Normal obverse appearance	[b] Normal reverse appearance	[c] When held against the light

Section 8 of the reverse of the note:

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

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Invisible Fluorescent Elements (9)
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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Novel Numbering (10)
The serial numbers increase in size to make it more difficult to counterfeit. The numbers fluoresce under ultra-violet light.
Section 10 of the reverse of the note:

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

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Braille Feature (11)
The diamond shape braille markings feature a layer of tactile ink printed in intaglio that can be felt by touching.
Section 11 of the obverse of the note:

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Anti-Scanner/Copier Features (12)
The note features certain areas, designed such that these will change appearance when copied/scanned.
Section 12 of the obverse of the note (Click to view a larger representation of the image):

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Modulated Micro-Letterings (13)
In this tactile rectangle, the micro-letterings with the text RM50 are all legible under a magnifying glass and collectively form the word "BNM" if viewed from a distance.
Section 13 of the obverse of the note (Click to view a larger representation of the image):

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Background Micro-Letterings (14)
The pattern of the pink and bluish rectangles contains legible micro-letterings of "BNM" when viewed under a magnifying glass while some of the bluish rectangles will fluoresce under ultra-violet light.
Section 14 of the obverse of the note (Click to view a larger representation of the image):

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Micro-Letterings (15)
Circles around the oil valve handwheel contain legible micro-letterings of the word "BANKNEGARAMALAYSIA" in light green when viewed under a magnifying glass.
Section 15 of the reverse of the note (Click to view a larger representation of the image):