General Information on Malaysian Banknotes: RM5 Polymer Banknote

The RM5 polymer banknote, issued for circulation by Bank Negara Malaysia from 26 October 2004, retains the existing design, colour, size and certain security features of the existing RM5 paper banknote. However, the polymer banknote is more durable and has unique security features when compared to existing paper banknote.
In addition, there are a number of new security features such as the clear window with the shadow image of the Prime Minister's office at Putrajaya, the embossed printing of numeral 5 in the window, the Bank's logo on the front of the polymer banknote, and the opaque (non-transparent) window on the back of the polymer banknote with the Bank's logo.
The easily recognisable feel, look and check security features of the RM5 Polymer banknote are highlighted as an identification guide for the public. Please note that the current RM5 paper banknote remains legal tender but will be withdrawn gradually from circulation.
Advantages of the polymer banknote :

1. Stronger and more durable than paper banknote
2. Does not absorb dirt or liquid
3. Cleaner and more hygienic as it minimise growth of bacteria
4. Difficult, time consuming and costly to counterfeit
   

For more information on the RM5 Polymer banknote, please visit : http://www.bnm.gov.my/polymer/index.htm OR contact the Currency Management and Operation Department, Bank Negara Malaysia (Tel: +603-26907309)

RM5 Polymer Banknote Security Feature

	Clear Window The embossed printing of the numeral 5 is visible from both sides of the banknote. Shadow Image The image of the Prime Minister's Office is visible when the banknote is held against the light. Micro Printing The lettering RM5 can be read under a magnifying glass. See-Through Element The Hibiscus flower element at the front will register perfectly with the same flower element at the back of the banknote. Raised Printing A raised printing effect that can be felt by touch. Non-Transparent Window Bank Negara Malaysia’s logo appears, printed in white and visible from both sides of the note.

General Information on Malaysian Banknotes: RM5

Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing a new RM5 note, the fifth denomination issued in a new design Malaysian currency notes series (3rd Series). The new RM5 note bears the signature of the present Governor Tan Sri Ali Abul Hassan bin Sulaiman. 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 RM5 denomination, the background motif depicts the construction sector. This is represented by landmark buildings, namely the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the Petronas TwinTowers and a geographical map with symbols representing the location of Putrajaya and Cyberjaya. This design motif also depicts major construction activity involving completed and on-going infrastructure projects. The new series also use RM as the currency symbol for the Malaysian Ringgit.

The security features of the RM5 denomination are highlighted here as a guide to the public. These features include the security thread with the repeated text BNM RM5, three-dimensional watermark portrait, anticopy feature known as "PEAK" and security fibres in the paper. The new RM5 note retains the predominant green colour of the existing design but the size of the note 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.

RM5 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 5 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 RM5 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 :

[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:

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PEAK® (Printed and Embossed Anti-Copy Key) (5)
When changing the angle of view by shifting the note, the numeral 5 will be revealed in the centre of the PEAK® square. The whole square will glow under ultra-violet light. When held against light, three open spaces on the obverse side will register perfectly iwth equal printed markings on the reverse side.
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 RM5 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 pink and greenish rectangles contains legible micro-letterings of "BNM" when viewed under a magnifying glass while some of the greenish rectangles will fluoresce under ultra-violet light.
Section 8 of the obverse of the note:

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Micro-Letterings (9)
Lines at the building of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport  contain legible micro-letterings of the word "BANKNEGARAMALAYSIA" in green 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 5 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:

 

General Information on Malaysian Banknotes: RM10 with LEAD

Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing an upgraded version of the RM10 denomination currency notes with an enhanced security feature. The upgraded RM10 currency note has an optical variable holographic strip on the obverse (similar to the strip used on RM50 and RM100 currency notes).

The introduction of the holographic strip is part of the Bank's continous efforts to improve the security features of the currency notes. The holographic strip makes the currency note more difficult to duplicate and yet easily detecable by the public.

Basically, the upgraded RM10 currency note retains the existing design, colour, security features and size. Except for the hologrphic strip, there is no significant change in the original design on the obverse and reverse of the upgraded RM10 currency note. They have been printed on the same material as in other circulating Malaysian currency notes.

The prominent security features of the RM10 currency note are highlighted in this brochure as a guide to the public. The public is advised to check carefully on the security features to ensure the authenticity of the note.

The upgraded RM10 currency note will co-circulate with the existing series. For more information on the upgraded RM10 currency note, please contact the Currency Management and Operation Department (Tel. ++ 60 3 2690 7309)

RM10 with LEAD 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 reverse of the note:

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Braille Feature (2)
The round braille markings feature a layer of tactile ink printed in intaglio that can be felt by touching.
Section 2 of the obverse of the note


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Intaglio Print (3)
The intaglio print is a raised printing effect produced by applying layers of tactile inks on various parts of the front and reverse sides of the notes, such as the potrait of the First Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, denomination figures, ornamental elements and the wordings "BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA".
Section 3 of the obverse of the note:

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Background Micro-Letterings (4)
The pattern of the red and greenish yellow 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 4 of the obverse of the note

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PEAK® (Printed and Embossed Anti-Copy Key) (5)
PEAK^® is a "Printed and Embossed Anticopy Key" security feature. 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:
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LEAD® (Longlasting Economical Anticopy Device) (6)
LEAD^® is a Longlasting Economical Anticopy Device. Its holographic design represents the same motifs as used in the red area with which the LEAD^® strip is partially overprinted as well as the words "RM10" 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 6 of the note:


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Security Thread (7)
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 continous dark coloured line and the repeated text "BNM RM10" can be read. When viewed under ultra-violet light, the thread is seen in various changing colours known as the "rainbow effect".

Section 7 of the obverse of the note:

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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 obverse of the note: