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LESSON PROPER
IDENTIFICATION OF BSP BANK NOTES AND COINS
The following are the characteristics, designs and distinct features of BSP banknotes:
All banknotes include a number of security features, indicated on the front side:
1. Embossed prints
2. Serial number (in variable sized figures)
3. Security fibers
4. Watermark
5. See-through mark ("pilipino" spelled in baybayin, letters, used before the arrival of the
spanish.)
6. Concealed value
7. Security thread
8. Optically variable device (only on 500 and 1000 peso notes)
9. Value Panel
PAPER- Feel the paper- the genuine note is printed on a special kind of paper which is
rough when you run your fingers through it. It does not glow under ultra-violet light. During
paper manufacture, the watermarks, security fiber, security threads and iridescent band
are included.
WATERMARK- Examine the watermarks on the unprinted portion of the note- The
watermark is the silhouette of the portrait appearing on the face of the note. Sharp details
of the light and shadow effect can be seen when the note is viewed against the light.
Contours of the features of the silhouette can be felt by running the finger over the design
relatively new notes.
OPTICALLY VARIABLE INK- For the P1,000 banknote, the embossed "1,000"
denominated value at the lower right corner of the face of the note changes color from
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green to magenta when viewed at different angles.
For the P500 note, a mark with a stylized Philippine flag design changes color from gold
to green depending on which angle it is viewed.
TACTILE MARKS- The enhanced banknotes now have pairs of short horizontal bands
printed in intaglio at the extreme right and left sides of the note -- five pairs for P1,000;
four pairs for P500; three pairs for P200; two pairs for P100, and one pair for P50.
ENHANCED VALUE PANEL
For both the P1,000 and P500 notes, the value panel at the upper left corner has been
enhanced by adding a rolling bar effect when tilted from left to right.
SECURITY THREAD - For the P100, P200, P500, and P1,000 banknotes, the windowed
security thread (WST) which runs vertically across the note shows movements of designs
and color when viewed at different angles.
These threads adopt an indigenous weave design and bears the alphanumeric
denominational value and "BSP" text in repeated series.
For the P1,000 note, the width of the thread has been increased to 5 millimeters from 4
millimeters. The width for the other denominations was retained at 4 millimeters.
PORTRAIT -appears life-like. The eyes "sparkle". Shading is formed by the fine lines that
give the portrait a characteristic facial expression which is extremely difficult to replicate.
SERIAL NUMBER-Composed of 1 or 2 prefix letters and 6 or 7 digits. The letters and
numerals are uniform in size and thickness, evenly spaced and well-aligned; they glow
under ultra-violet light A banknote with six "0" digit serial number is a specimen note and
not a legal tender.
VIGNETTE- The lines and dashes composing the vignette are fine, distinct and sharp;
the varying color gives a vivid look to the picture that makes it "stand out" of the paper.
MICROPRINTING Verify under the lens the presence of the microprinting on the
denominations 50's, 100's, 200's, 500 and 1000-Microprinting are the minute and finely
printed words "Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas or "Central Bank ofthe Philippines" located at
the face or back of the note that are clearly printed and readable.
CONCEALED VALUE - Check the concealed value on the 500-peso denomination-This
concealed value is located at the lower left comer of the face of the note and is
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recognizable when the note is held at eye level.
OPTICALLY VARIABLE INK-Check the optically variable ink on the 1000-peso
denomination-It changes color from green to blue or blue to green when the note is held
at different angles.
PERTINENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE
INTEGRITY OF THE CURRENCY
1. ARTICLE 163, RPC. Making and importing and uttering (issuing or circulating) false
coins.
PERTINENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE
INTEGRITY OF THE CURRENCY
2. ARTICLE 166, RPC. Forging treasury or bank notes or other documents payable to
bearer; importing, and uttering (issuing or circulating) such false or forged notes and
documents.
3. ARTICLE 168, RPC. IIlegal possession and use of false treasury or bank notes and
other instruments of credit.
4. ARTICLE 176, RPC. Manufacturing and possession of instrument or implements for
falsification.
S. PD 247-defacement, mutilation, tearing, burning or destruction of CENTRAL BANK
(BSP) notes and coins.
5. CHAPTER II, CIRCULAR 61, SERIES OF 1995. Reproduction and/or use of facsimile
of legal tender Philippine currency coins.
IV. CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUINE AND COUNTERFEIT PAPER NOTE BILL
GENUINE COUNTERFEIT
A. MAIN PRINT
1. The fingers will hardly feel the main
1. The fingers will already feel the main prints of the front and back even on new
print on the front and back on fairly new notes.
notes. 2. This is brought about by offset print the
2. This is due to the measurable thickness most common process employed by
of the ink deposited on the paper which counterfeiters.
gives the prints an embossed effect. 3. The prints are mere stains on the coating
of the sensitized paper which is glossy.
B. PORTRAIT
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1. It appears dead
1. Appears life-like 2. The eyes do not sparkle
2. The eyes sparkle 3. It appears blurred, dull, smudgy and
3. The tiny dots and lines (vignette) poorly
forming the details of the face, hair, etc. are 4, Hair is lifelesss
clear, sharp and well defined. 5. The face and/or forehead are often
4. Each portrait stands out distinctly from naturally white or pale due to absence of
background. This is noticeable along the most of the details.
shoulders. 6. The concentric lines depicting the eyes
5. The background is composed of multi- often merged into solid printed areas.
colored fine pattern of lines in varying tones 7. The background often blends with the
and shades interfacing with each other. portrait and is usually "scratchy"
These shadings or toning are intricately 8. The lines are thick with rough edges.
printed in such a way that the contrast or 9. The multi-colored prints on genuine notes
shifting of colors creates the impression of are extremely difficult to duplicate and as a
life and vividness to the notes. result, counterfeit notes are usually off color
& not of the right shade or tone.
C. WATERMARK
1. This is imitated by printing white ink or dry
1. The watermark underneath the security block on the finished paper.
lacework on the right hand side of the note 2. Sometimes wax or other oily medium is
is the same on the colored portrait. stamped to give transparency to the portion
2. The design is placed by means of dandy where the designing appears.
roll during the manufacture of the paper 3. Printed outline is placed on the inner
3. Sharp details of the outline of the light & sheet where merely a paper cut out is placed
shadow effect are dissembled when viewed inside. As a result course or harsh and
with the aid of transmitted light. occasional irregular lines & sometimes
opaque areas are very obvious.,
D. METALLIC THREAD
1. Is a special thread placed vertically on the 1. Counterfeit by means of printing on the
paper during manufacture. back of the note, on the inner side of the
2. On the surface of the paper where this paper, insertion of twin thread or simply
thread is located are patterns of short folding the note vertically where the thread
vertical lines. appears on the genuine bill.
E. SECURITY FIBER
1. These fibers are scattered on the On the counterfeit, it is simulated by printed
surface of the paper (front back) at random lines, cannot be picked off, but can be easily
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and can be readily picked off by means of erased with ordinary rubber or by agitating
any pointed instrument. with wet fingers.
2. The colors of these fibers are red and
blue.
F. SERIAL NUMBERS
1. On counterfeit, letters & numbers are
1. The prefix letters & numbers (Six of them
poorly printed. They are usually of different
except on replacement note) are clearly
style.
printed.
2. Most often, they are evenly spaced &
2. They have peculiar style & are uniform in
poorly aligned.
size and thickness.
3. The numbers are too big or too small, too
3. Spacing of the numbers is uniform &
thick or too thin & in certain cases shaded
alignment is even.
on the curves.
G. VIGNETTE
1. On the counterfeit usually dull and
1. The lines and dots composing the poorly printed.
vignettes are fine, distinct and sharp. 2. It appears are dirty.
2. The varying color tone gives a bold 3. The lines are comparatively thicker
look to the pictures that makes it stands out with rough edges.
of the paper. 4. There is no variation in color tone so
that the pictures areas flat.
H. CLEARNESS OF PRINT
1. It is dirty due to the sputtering of ink
1. The registry of the different printed
on the interior area. Over-inked areas are
features is perfect. The lines are very clear
visible instantly. The shadings and
and sharp. There are no burns clinging to
ornamentations of the letters and figures are
the sides.
thick and usually merged.
