About Singapore Paper Notes
Paper notes are printed on cotton paper substrate with embedded security features such as the interwoven security thread, Portrait watermark and ultraviolet fibres. This paper is not available commercially for security control.
An extensive range of security features are incorporated into paper notes during the printing process. All paper note denominations ($50, $100, $1,000, $10,000) share the same security features.
Key Security Features
To determine if a note is genuine, you should perform the "Look-Tilt-Feel" method. Watch the video to find out more about the "Look-Tilt-Feel" method.
Security features in a $50 Paper Note
Look Security Features
Portrait and Highlight Watermark
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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A multi-tone portrait watermark of the late Encik Yusof bin Ishak can be seen when the note is held up to the light. The watermark has a three-dimensional appearance with areas in varying tones of dark and light.
The monotone highlight watermark is located below the portrait watermark on the front of the note.
It corresponds with the braille pattern at the top right-hand corner of each denomination. The highlight watermark appears clear and distinct when the note is held up to the light. |
Security Thread
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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The windowed machine-readable thread is interwoven in the paper and runs vertically down the face of the note. When held up to the light, the thread appears as a bold continuous line and it shows a series of text featuring the denomination numeral of the note and the word "SINGAPORE" in the four official languages. |
Perfect Registration
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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The Singapore Lion symbol appearing near the watermark is printed simultaneously with the same image on the front and back of the note.
When the note is held up to the light, the Singapore Lion symbol on the front registers perfectly with the image on the back. |
Intaglio Microprint
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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The text "BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY SINGAPORE" or "MONETARY AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE" is in micro-letters above the four official languages of the word "SINGAPORE" on the front of the note. To the unaided eye, this appears as a single line but the details can be seen legibly with the aid of a magnifying glass. |
Reverse Intaglio Microprint
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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When magnified, the text 'BCCS' or 'MAS' in micro-letters in the shadow of the denomination numeral can be clearly seen. |
Offset Microprint
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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When magnified, the text, 'BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY SINGAPORE' or 'MONETARY AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE' forms a continuous pattern inside the denomination numeral on the front of the note. |
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When magnified, the text "MAJULAH SINGAPURA" forms a continuous pattern on the back of the note. For the $1,000 note, the entire lyrics of Majulah Singapura, Singapore's national anthem, are in microprint. |
Ultraviolet Visible Features
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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This feature, in the form of the denomination numeral of the note, is present on the front of the note. It is invisible under ordinary lighting conditions but glows brightly under ultraviolet light. |
Fluorescent Ink
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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The fluorescent pigment on the serial numbers and the seal on the front of the note glows brightly under ultraviolet light. This feature also appears on some parts of the designs on both the front and back of the note. |
Asymmetrical Serial Numbers
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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The asymmetrical serial numbering style has progressively larger digits in adjacent positions. One of the serial numbers appears horizontally, the other vertically. The serial numbers both glow under ultraviolet light. |
Invisible Fluorescent Fibres
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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Unlike most commercial papers, the paper of the note does not reflect ultraviolet light at all. Fibres that are invisible to the unaided eye are incorporated on both sides of the note surface. These fibres, which cannot be seen in ordinary light, will glow under ultraviolet light. |
Tilt Security Features
Kinegram
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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The kinegram is the octagonal foil on the front of the note.
The background of the kinegram is composed of shapes representing electron orbitals which change from bright to dark as the note is rotated. This background also shimmers in an array of colours when rotated. |
Security Thread
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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Holographic images of the Singapore Lion symbol and the MAS logo can be seen on the silver-coloured thread when the viewing angle is varied. |
Latent Image Patch
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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Two distinctively different and latent images bearing the Board of Commissioners of Currency Singapore (BCCS) logo or the MAS logo and the Singapore Lion symbol become visible alternately when the note is tilted at various angles.
The latent image patch also glows brightly under ultraviolet light. |
Feel Security Features
Intaglio Portrait
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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Hand-engraved and printed in intaglio ink, the portrait of the late Encik Yusof bin Ishak on the front of the Portrait Series notes serves as a unique anti-counterfeiting feature.
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Intaglio Prints
| How it looks | What it is |
|---|---|
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The intaglio (raised) printing gives the note an embossed feel. The use of intaglio printing on the Singapore Coat of Arms, the engraved portrait, the word "SINGAPORE" and other areas offers good overall tactility. The prints are finely done so that tiny details are clearly defined. The intaglio printing of the denomination numeral of each note also helps recognition by the visually handicapped. |
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Each note has a braille pattern printed in heavy intaglio ink at the top right corner of the front of the note.
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If you have doubts about the authenticity of a Singapore note, you can make an appointment with MAS to have it verified physically.