Page 1 education.beyondbank.com.au earning > saving > spending Australian banknotes Did you know polymer (plastic) banknotes can be recycled into other products at the end of their useful life? Also, did you know that Australian banknotes are one of the most difficult to forge because they have lots of different security features? Australian paper $1, $2, $10 and $20 banknotes were first issued as part of the decimal currency system on 14 February 1966, with the $5 banknote issued the following year. The paper $100 banknote was issued much later in 1984. Between 1992 and 1996, a new series of banknotes, all printed on polymer (plastic), were introduced to replace the original decimal banknotes. Printing the banknotes on polymer made them more secure (against counterfeiting), more durable, cleaner and more hygienic. It also meant that they were recyclable at the end of their useful life. Where and how are they produced? Australia’s banknotes are produced on a 26 hectare site at Craigieburn in Victoria, by Note Printing Australia Limited. The property is well secured with high-security fencing, armed security guards 24 hours a day and highly sophisticated security and surveillance devices. Before banknotes can be distributed around the country, a series of processes must occur. Banknotes are printed on sheets of polymer substrate (a type of plastic). The first step is to print the background colours and patterns onto both sides of the sheet at the same time using a machine called a ‘simultan printing machine’. These machines can print up to 8,000 sheets per hour. Wow! Next, the major design elements, such as portraits, are printed using Intaglio printing machines (a special type of printing). These create a raised print which is one of the important security features of the polymer bank notes. Then, a letterpress printer adds serial numbers to the sheets, before they go through a final print run. In the final run, the sheets are given two coats of protective overcoat ink which protects the banknotes and helps to keep them clean. Finally, a guillotine is used to cut the printed sheets into individual banknotes before they are transported through machines that count, band and remove any imperfect banknotes. The banknotes are then shrink-wrapped, moved onto pallets and stored until ready for distribution. What an interesting process!
Transcript
Page 1education.beyondbank.com.au
earning > saving > spending
Australian banknotesDid you know polymer (plastic) banknotes can be recycled into other products at the end of their useful life? Also, did you know that Australian banknotes are one of the most difficult to forge because they have lots of different security features?Australian paper $1, $2, $10 and $20 banknotes were first issued as part of the decimal currency system on 14 February 1966, with the $5 banknote issued the following year. The paper $100 banknote was issued much later in 1984.Between 1992 and 1996, a new series of banknotes, all printed on polymer (plastic), were introduced to replace the original decimal banknotes. Printing the banknotes on polymer made them more secure (against counterfeiting), more durable, cleaner and more hygienic. It also meant that they were recyclable at the end of their useful life.
Where and how are they produced?Australia’s banknotes are produced on a 26 hectare site at Craigieburn in Victoria, by Note Printing Australia Limited. The property is well secured with high-security fencing, armed security guards 24 hours a day and highly sophisticated security and surveillance devices.Before banknotes can be distributed around the country, a series of processes must occur. Banknotes are printed on sheets of polymer substrate (a type of plastic). The first step is to print the background colours and patterns onto both sides of the sheet at the same time using a machine called a ‘simultan printing machine’. These machines can print up to 8,000 sheets per hour. Wow!Next, the major design elements, such as portraits, are printed using Intaglio printing machines (a special type of printing). These create a raised print which is one of the important security features of the polymer bank notes. Then, a letterpress printer adds serial numbers to the sheets, before they go through a final print run. In the final run, the sheets are given two coats of protective overcoat ink which protects the banknotes and helps to keep them clean.Finally, a guillotine is used to cut the printed sheets into individual banknotes before they are transported through machines that count, band and remove any imperfect banknotes. The banknotes are then shrink-wrapped, moved onto pallets and stored until ready for distribution. What an interesting process!
Page 2education.beyondbank.com.au
earning > saving > spending
What security features do our banknotes have?Australian banknotes have a range of security features that are easy to recognise but difficult to copy, making them very difficult to forge. So what are they?
Micro-printing This is very small, but well-defined, text that usually requires a magnifying glass to read. The $5, $20, $50 and $100 notes each have micro-print matching its denomination (e.g. on the $5 note, the words FIVE DOLLARS are micro-printed into the coloured background).The $10 note has unique micro-printing with lines from AB ‘Banjo’ Paterson’s poem The Man from Snowy River on the front and excerpts from the poem No Foe Shall Gather Our Harvest on the back.
The seven-pointed starAll Australian banknotes have a seven-pointed star within a circle. Four of the points are on one side of the banknote and three are on the other. When you hold a note up to the light you can see all seven points combining perfectly.
Shadow image and clear windowsAustralian banknotes each have a unique ‘shadow image’ of the Australian Coat of Arms which can faintly be seen when held up to the light. They also have a clear window containing printed stylised Australian icons. The $20, $50 and $100 notes also have their denomination included in the window.
Printing featuresThe banknotes have background printing of multi-coloured and multi-directional patterns of fine lines on both sides. They also have fluorescent ink properties so that the serial number on the back, and a hidden square patch can glow and become visible under ultraviolet light.
Serial numberEach banknote is given a two letter and eight digit serial number using a ‘Year Dated System’. Each banknote on a given printing sheet has a different letter prefix, for example AA or BM, and the first two digits of the number indicate the year the banknote was produced. The remaining six digits are the same on all banknotes printed on the same sheet.Why don’t you have a look at some banknotes to see if you can identify all the security features? They really are amazing!
Page 3education.beyondbank.com.au
earning > saving > spending
What are the significant design features on each of the notes?Each of our banknotes tell a story. They feature iconic people or symbols that depict Australia’s history and way of life.
The $5 note has a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, an image of Parliament House and its Forecourt Mosaic. The note also features Prickly Moses Wattle and the Eastern Spinebill.
The $10 note has a portrait of poet AB ‘Banjo’ Paterson, an image of an authentic horseman from the times of The Man from Snowy River, a Waltzing Matilda logo and images of horses based on pictures from The Australian Newspaper in 1870. The back includes a portrait and painting of poet Dame Mary Gilmore, imagery of country women, and a bullock team carrying wool. The clear window features an image of a windmill and an embossed wave pattern
The $20 note has a portrait of pioneer businesswomen Mary Reibey, schooner boat Mercury and a building in Sydney’s George Street, both briefly owned by Mary Reibey. The back includes a portrait of Reverend John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and images of air ambulance Victory, one of the first pedal-powered generators and a camel with rider. The clear window features an image of a compass.
Front
Back
Front
Back
Front
Back
Page 4education.beyondbank.com.au
earning > saving > spending
The $50 note has a portrait of David Unaipon, Australia’s first published author and inventor, images of the mission church at Point McLeay, drawings of an improved mechanical handpiece for sheep shearing designed by David Unaipon and the preface to David’s story Legendary Tales of Australian Aborigines. The back has a portrait of Edith Cowan, best remembered as the first female member of Australian parliament, images of the West Australian Parliament House, Edith Cowan at a lectern, and a foster mother with children who were wards of the state. The clear window features an image of the Southern Cross.
The $100 note has a portrait of Dame Nellie Melba, who achieved international recognition as a soprano, images of the interior of Her Majesty’s Theatre in Sydney, Melba’s concert tour program and her autograph. The back has a portrait of Australia’s greatest military commander, Sir John Monash, with images of the Rising Star Badge, mounted soldiers in World War I and 2nd Australian division soldiers attacking the Hindenburg line. The clear window features an image of a lyrebird.
It is incredible just how much detail is on each of the banknotes if you look closely. No wonder they are hard to copy!
How are banknotes recycled?Although polymer banknotes last much longer than paper banknotes, they can only remain in circulation while they meet quality standards. The good news is polymer notes, and waste from the production process, can be recycled into products such as building components, plumbing fittings, compost bins and other household and industrial products, which is great for the environment.For recycling, the banknotes are shredded into small confetti-like pieces then passed through a special machine that melts them and makes them into pellets. They are then ready for recycling.Note – The main references for this fact sheet are the Reserve Bank website (rba.gov.au) and the Australian Bankers' Association website (www.bankers.asn.au/banks-of-australia)
