General Information on Malaysian Banknotes: RM10

Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing a new RM10 note, the third lowest denomination in a completely new design Malaysian currency notes series. The new series incorporate new security features and retain some of the existing security features to deter counterfeiting. The new series will circulate along 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 RM10 denomination, the background motif depicts modern transportation by air, land and sea. This is represented by Malaysia Airlines' aircraft, Light Rail Transit System's train and Malaysia International Shipping Corporation's container vessel plying the imagery sea routes around the world to signify the importance of the transportation in Malaysia's economy. The new series will also use RM as the currency symbol for the Malaysian Ringgit.

The security features of the RM10 denomination are highlighted here as a guide to the public. These features include the security thread with the repeated text BNM RM10, three-dimensional watermark portrait, anticopy feature known as "PEAK" and security fibres in the paper. The new RM10 note retains the red colour and the size is slightly reduced to facilitate easier handling. The intaglio (raised printing) of the portrait of the First Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong is retained as a dominant feature.

The public is advised to look carefully to differentiate the genuine notes from the counterfeits.

RM10 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 10 is clearly visible.
Section 1 of the obverse of the note:

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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 [a]. When the note is held against the light, it is seen as a continuous dark coloured line and the repeated text BNM RM10 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 2 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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Security Fibres (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 (Click to view a larger representation of the image):

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PEAK® (Printed and Embossed Anti-Copy Key) (5)
When changing the angle of view by shifting the note, the numeral 10 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	[c] When viewed under ultra-violet light

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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:

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

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Modulated Micro-Letterings (7)
In this tactile rectangle, the micro-letterings with the text RM10 are all legible under a magnifying glass and collectively form the word "BNM" if viewed from a distance.
In this square, the letters "BNM" and the numeral 10 will become visible under ultra-violet light.
Section 7 of the obverse of the note:

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

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Micro-Letterings (9)
Part of the ring shape design near the aircraft and the container vessel contain legible micro-letterings of the word "BANKNEGARAMALAYSIA" in white and orange 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 including the serial numbers will fluoresce in different colours when viewed 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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Anti-Scanner/Copier Feature (11)
The note features certain areas, designed such that these will change appearance when copied/scanned.
Section 11 of the reverse of the note:

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Phosphorescence Square (12)
In this square, the letters "BNM" and the numeral 10 will become visible under unltra-violet light.
Section 12 of the obverse of the note:

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

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Braille Feature (13)
The round 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: