July 29, 2015
Police are keen to quash rumours – circulating via social media – about “counterfeit” $50 notes in Queensland.
A Queensland Police spokesman said today a number of people had reported to police that they suspected their banknotes were fake when in fact they were genuine.
Police have released a list of some “common myths”:
- Myth – Banknotes without the printed name below the portrait are counterfeit.
- Fact – Printed names were only added to Australian banknotes from 2002. This was to help the public identify the people featured on our banknotes.
- Myth – The Governor’s signature is always above the Secretary to the Treasury’s.
- Fact – The order of the signatures also changed in 2002 so that the Governor’s signature was printed above that of the Secretary to the Treasury.
Police said the security features to check on banknotes were:
- Is it plastic?
- Look for the coat of arms
- Look for the star
- Check the clear window
- Feel the dark printing
- Check the print quality
- Look for the micro printing
- Look at the banknote under UV light
