SECURITY FEATURES OF
PHILIPPINE MONEY
Security Features of the New
Generation Currency (NGC)
• Designing a currency goes beyond
sketches, drawings, and colors. Currency
requires more features that are resistant to
counterfeiting.
• The designs executed by the Filipino
artists have to be adjusted by the
banknotizer, a highly trained artist on
currency design concept. This process is
called bank notization.
Obverse José Abad Santos, Vicente Lim, Josefa Llanes Escoda
Reverse Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Sulu Sea; Pinctada
maxima, South Sea Pearl; Mindanao design for Tinalak
(Ikat-dyed abaca)
Color blue
Description The portrait of Abad Santos, Lim and Escoda were
revised, a scene from the Centennial celebration of
Philippine independence was added on the lower left.
The reverse now features the Tubbataha Reefs
Natural Park and the South Sea Pearl.
Obverse Corazon C. Aquino, Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., EDSA People Power I, Benigno
Aquino monument in Makati City
Reverse Subterranean Underground River in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Tanygnathus
lucionensis, Blue-Naped Parrot; Southern Philippines cloth design
Color Yellow
Description The portrait of Benigno Aquino, Jr. was redesigned and a portrait of his wife,
former president Corazon Aquino, was added, a scene from the EDSA
Revolution was added on the lower left of the obverse and the Ninoy Aquino
Monument was added in the lower middle. The reverse now features the
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Blue-Naped Parrot.
Obverse Diosdado P. Macapagal, EDSA People Power 2001, Aguinaldo
Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan
Reverse Chocolate Hills in Bohol; Tarsius syrichta, Philippine Tarsier; Visayas
weave design
Color Green
Description The portrait of Diosdado Macapagal was revised, the Arroyo
oathtaking was moved from the reverse to the lower left of the
obverse with the Aguinaldo Shrine at the background and the
Barasoain Church was added on the lower middle. The reverse
now features the Chocolate Hills and the Philippine Tarsier.
Obverse Manuel A. Roxas, Old BSP building in Intramuros, Manila,
Inauguration of the Third Philippine Republic
Reverse Mayon Volcano in Albay; Butanding, Rhincodon typus, whale
shark; Bicol textile design
Color Violet
Description The portrait of Manuel Roxas was redesigned, a picture of
the old Central Bank building and the inauguration of the
Republic of the Philippines was added on the lower left
corner and bottom center of the bill respectively. The
reverse now features the Mayon Volcano and the whale
shark.
Obverse Sergio Osmeña, First Philippine Assembly, Leyte
Landing
Reverse Taal Lake in Batangas; Catanx ignobilis, Maliputo (Giant
trevally); Batangas embroidery design
Color Red
Description The portrait of Sergio Osmeña was revised, a picture
of the first Philippine Assembly and Osmeña and
General Douglas MacArthur's landing in Leyte was
added on the lower left corner and bottom center of
the bill respectively. The reverse now features the
Taal Lake and the giant trevally.
1000-PISO POLYMER BANKNOTE OBVERSE
The obverse side features two of the country’s national symbols, the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) as its focal point, and the
Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac). The Philippine Eagle exemplifies the Filipino’s uniqueness, strength, power, love for freedom, as well as a
sharp vision for the country’s future. Meanwhile, the Sampaguita symbolizes purity, simplicity, humility, and strength.
1000-PISO POLYMER BANKNOTE REVERSE
The reverse side retains images of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the South Sea Pearl.
Four Layers of Security
Features
• Level I: Security features which can be easily
recognized by the public without the use of
special instruments. These are the “look,”
“feel,” and “tilt” elements in the notes,
enumerated below.
• Level II: Security features recognizable by
professional cash handlers/bank tellers with
the use of magnifying lens or ultraviolet light.
Examples are fluorescent features and
microprinting.
Four Layers of Security
Features
• Level III: Hidden or convert security
features that are reserved for the use of
the BSP.
• Level IV: Forensic security features which
require special laboratory examination
procedures and equipment for
identification; most relevant in establishing
the authenticity of a banknote in the
course of any court proceedings.
Level I Security Features
1. Embossed Prints
2. Asymmetric Serial Number
3. Security Fibers
4. Watermark
5. See-through Mark
6. Concealed Value
7. Security Thread (Embedded or Windowed)
8. Optical Variable Device (OVD) Patch
9. Optically Variable Ink (OVI)
Title
• Text
Embossed Prints
• The embossed or raised print nature of the ink
deposition combined with the quality of cotton-
based paper gives the traditional banknote a
unique tactile effect that makes it the first and
the most important line of defense against
counterfeiting. This can be felt over the words
“REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS,” denominational
value in text, signatures, and value panels
particularly, the one located at the lower right
corner of the obverse.
Asymmetric Serial Number
• Alphanumeric characters at the lower left
and upper right corners of the note bearing
one or two prefix letters and six to seven
digits, with font increasing in size and
thickness.
Security Fibers
• Visible red and blue fibers embedded on
the paper and randomly scattered on the
face and back of the note.
Watermark
• Shadow image of the portrait with the
highlighted denominational value that is
particularly seen against the light from
either side of the blank space on the note.
Title
• Text
See-through Mark
• The pre-Hispanic script (Baybayin) at the
lower right corner of the face of the note
slightly above the value panel. This is
seen in complete form only when the note
is viewed against the light. The script
means “Pilipino”
Title
Concealed Value
• The denominational value superimposed
at the smaller version portrait at the upper
left portion of the note. This becomes
clearly visible when the note is rotated 45
degrees and slightly tilted.
Security Thread
• Embedded thread that runs vertically
across the width of 20- and 50- piso notes
when viewed against the light. Also, the
stitch-like metallic thread on the 100-,
200-, 500- and 1000- piso notes which
changes color from red to green and bears
the cleartext of “BSP” on the reversem
both in repeated series.
Optical Variable Device Patch
• Found only in 500- and 1000- piso notes,
this patch is a reflective foil, bearing the
image of the Blue-naped parrot for 500-
piso/clam with South Sea pearl for 1000-
piso, changes color from red to green
when the note is rotated 90 degrees.
Optically Variable Ink
• Found only in the 1000-piso note, this
embossed denominational value at the
lower right corner of the face of the note
changes color from green to blue when
viewed at different angles.
Key Security Features for the
1,000-Piso Polymer Banknote
Polymer Substrate
FEEL the smooth
surface. The
banknote is one
continuous sheet
with transparent
areas.
ENHANCED VALUE
PANEL
TILT the note from
left to right, and vice
versa, to see the
rolling-bar effect.
SAMPAGUITA CLEAR
WINDOW
LOOK through the small
transparent window
depicting the Sampaguita
flower (Jasminum
sambac) and FEEL the
transparent embossed
line structures with the
text “BSP” within the
flower.
SERIAL NUMBERS
LOOK for 2 identical
serial numbers
composed of 2 prefix
letters and 7
asymmetric (increasing
in size)digits.
TACTILE DOTS
FEEL the five highly
embossed dots
intended to assist the
elderly and the visually
impaired.
EMBOSSED PRINTS (Obverse)
FEEL the raised ink that is rough to the touch.
Front: Philippine Eagle Portrait, “REPUBLIKA NG
PILIPINAS”, signatures, and “SANLIBONG PISO.”
EMBOSSED PRINTS (Reverse)
FEEL the raised ink that is rough to the touch.
Back: Philippine map, South Sea Pearl, “Tubbataha
Reefs Natural Park,” T’nalak weave design,
denomination, and the “ SANLIBONG PISO.”
SHAWDOW THREAD
LOOK for the 5-mm vertical
band on either side fo the
note when viewed against
the light. The
denominational value and
“BSP” text appear in
repeated series.
VERTICAL CLEAR
WINDOW
LOOK through the large
transparent vertical window
containing multiple security
features.
METALLIC FEATURES
(DYNAMIC WAVES)
LOOK at the details of metallic
images and symbols in the
vertical clear window.
TILT the note to see color
changes and dynamic motion.
Dynamic Waves – Wavy lines on
the front face of the note move
when it is tilted back and forth.
METALLIC FEATURES (RP
Seal and Mirrored
Denomination)
LOOK at the details of metallic
images and symbols in the
vertical clear window.
TILT the note to see color
changes and dynamic motion.
Republic of the Philippines (RP)
Seal and Mirrored
Denomination - Both show
moving vertical-line effects
when the note is tilted back and
forth.
METALLIC FEATURES (BSP Logo and 3D Denomination)
LOOK at the details of metallic images and symbols in the vertical
clear window.
TILT the note to see color changes and dynamic motion.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Logo and 3D Denomination –
On the front, the BSP logo and 3D denomination outline display a
striking rainbow effect when the note is tilted at different angles.
On the back, only the BSP logo is visible.
BLUE IRIDESCENT
FIGURE
TILT and LOOK to see the
figure that displays varying
tones of blue when the
note is viewed at different
angles.
FYING EAGLE
FEEL the transparent
embossed outline of a
stylized flying eagle.
https://www.bsp.gov.ph/SitePages/CoinsAndNotes/PolymerBanknote.aspx
Other Features of the NGC
• The BSP is proud to be the first to adopt
the latest OVD patch security feature in
the NGC. The technology of the OVD
patch used in the NGC is anchored on the
characteristic color permutation that is
different from the OVD patch seen in euro
notes, Japanese yen and other currencies
of the world.
Other Features of the NGC
• This makes our currency design at par
with or even better than the currencies of
other central bank worldwide. The NGC is
also the first currency note in ASIA to
incorporate the hygienic treatment of the
substrate to make it a hostile environment
for E.coli bacteria and Aspergillus niger
fungus, which can cause diarrhea and skin
diseases, respectively.
4 Filipino Adjectives for NGC
1. Matibay (strong). Our currency contains
Philippine abaca, which is known for its
strength and versatility. This is a reflection of
the resilience of our economy amidst
challenges.
2. Makulay (colorful). The vibrant colors in our
banknotes symbolize the colorful history of our
nation. They also mirror the happy and fun-
loving Filipino disposition even when faced with
adversities.
4 Filipino Adjectives for NGC
3. Maganda (beautiful). Our country is beautiful,
epitomized by the feature natural wonders. For
all their beauty and bounty, our county’s natural
resources are worth preserving as these are
our refuge against hunger, calamity, and
boredom.
4. Malinis (clean). As mentioned earlier, each
NGC note was given hygienic treatment that
makes it hostile to the growth of E.coli bacteria
and Aspergillus niger fungus.
Identification of the Salient
Features of Money Activity
CHECK THE COMPLETE
PARTS OF THE CHECK
Kinds of check
• Postdated
• Stale dated
• Outdated
• Crossed check
• Bearer check
• Manager’s Check
