banknote: front

A banknote is paper currency issued by a country’s central bank or by an economic community.

serial number

Each banknote is identified by a unique combination of numbers and letters.

watermark

A feature to prevent counterfeiting; an image that is visible in transmitted light is incorporated into the paper.

portrait

Portrait of a famous person such as a prime minister, president, king or queen that appears on a banknote.

color shifting ink

A feature to prevent counterfeiting; a special ink is used that changes color when viewed from various angles.

official signature

Banknotes are signed by people such as the central bank’s governor (Canada) or president (EU) or the Secretary of the Treasury (U.S.).

security thread

A feature to prevent counterfeiting; a dark line that is visible in transmitted light is inserted into the paper.

hologram foil strip

A feature to prevent counterfeiting; the image on the strip changes when the banknote is tilted.

initials of the issuing bank