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Writer's pictureDominic walter

Features of our India currency notes

Updated: Apr 9, 2018

We all use money everybody, but only a handful of us know the significance of each feature on the currency note.

Photo credit : T.Dominic walter

  1. Observe through Register : The small floral design printed both on the front (hollow) and back (filled up) of the note in the middle of the vertical band next to the Watermark. The design will appear as one floral design when seen against the light.

  2. Optically Variable Ink(OVI) : 50 number looks in green color while seen straight. When the note is tilted to certain angle it is seen in blue color. The numeral 100 and 50 on the obverse of Rs.100 and Rs.50 notes respectively is printed in optically variable ink viz., a colour-shifting ink. The colour of the numeral 1000/500 appears green when the note is held flat but would change to blue when the note is held at an angle.

  3. Latent Image: On the obverse side of , Rs.100, Rs.50 and Rs.20 notes, a vertical band on the right side of the Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait contains a latent image showing the respective denominational value in numeral. The latent image is visible only when the note is held horizontally at eye level.

  4. Identification Mark : If we touch circle with intaglio Print we can identify the denomination number. This is useful for the persons with defective eye vision.

  5. Water Mark: : In Obverse side of note, the Mahatma Gandhi Series of banknotes contain the Mahatma Gandhi watermark with a light and shade effect and multi-directional lines in the watermark window.

  6. Intaglio Printing: The portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Reserve Bank seal, guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar Emblem on the left, RBI Governor’s signature are printed in intaglio i.e. in raised prints, which can be felt by touch, in Rs.20, Rs.50, Rs.100 notes

  7. Security thread: Security thread with 3 mm width having letters ‘Bharat’ in Hindi and RBI seal is present. Color changes from green to blue when seen in different angles. Greenish on the reverse side, florescent text is visible when seen under ultraviolet light. Long line of thread will be visible when seen in light.

  8. Micro lettering: This feature appears between the vertical band and Mahatma Gandhi portrait. It contains the word RBI in Rs.5 and Rs.10. The notes of Rs.20 and above also contain the denominational value of the notes in microletters. This feature can be seen better under a magnifying glass.

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