Are my aussie notes real ?

[phets72]

About four months ago traded yuan for aussie dollars.

They're mostly $100 dollar bills with John Monash and Nellie Melba on either side.

Experts of aussie legal tender please assist - how can you tell if aussie cash is real ?

Don't want to be arrested at Sydney airport in six weeks OR you could do as Newbs will be doing, staying tuned to episodes of 'Border Patrol' looking for a girl with a 'Hi Newbs it's Phets" t-shirt and in handcuffs...

Help please....

Phets

[Escaped Lunatic]

Sniff them carefully. If there's not at least a faint odor of vegemite, they're fake.



Sorry - I'm pretty good with US currency and have a passing familiarity with Euro and Pound notes (even Bank of Scotland notes), but couldn't tell Aussie money from Monopoly money.

[Lotus Eater]

Doesn't matter if they are fake - Aussie money of any sort is good anywhere!

[mich]

Clear Window
The clear window is a simple, yet effective security device, which allows a first-level check on the authenticity of the note through casual observation. On a genuine note the window should have clarity and be part of the note, not an addition. Within the clear window there is a printed image and embossing:

$5 note - a stylised gumflower, no embossing

Federation $5 note - embossing of the number '5'

$10 note - a windmill with embossing of a wave pattern

$20 note - a compass with embossing of the number '20'

$50 note - the Southern Cross with embossing of the number '50'

$100 note - a lyrebird with embossing of the number '100'

Polymer Substrate
A genuine note is printed on special polymer (plastic) and has a distinctive feel. A suspect note may feel excessively thick or thin compared to a genuine note. It is difficult to start a tear along an edge of a genuine note. The vast majority of counterfeits are printed on paper and can be easily torn.

See-through Registration Device
The see-through registration device works when images printed on each side of a note are in perfect register when the note is viewed in transmitted light. When the see-through registration device on our notes is held to the light, a seven-pointed star within a circle is formed by four points on one side of the note combining perfectly with three points on the other side.

Shadow Image
The shadow image is an image created by variations in opacity of the substrate that can be viewed in transmitted light even if under other print. The shadow image on our notes is an image of the Australian Coat of Arms (this feature is not included in the Federation $5 note).

Intaglio Print
Intaglio is a raised print (dark ink) with a distinct feel and is normally used for portraits, denomination numerals, text and other major design elements. On our notes, the slightly raised printing can be felt by running a finger or fingernail across the portraits and other major design elements.

Background Print (offset)
A flat print is used to create coloured background designs. Various line structures and the use of colour and specialised inks add to the security of the note. Multi-coloured and multi-directional fine-line patterns appear on each side of the note.

Microprinting
Microprint is small but well defined text printed by offset or intaglio at a size that usually requires a magnifying glass to read. On our notes the microprinted words (e.g.'FIFTY DOLLARS') are generally located near the portraits.

Fluorescent Ink Properties
A printed feature in a note, which may or may not be visible in normal light, fluoresces when viewed under ultra-violet light. On genuine notes, the serial numbers, which are located on the back of the note fluoresce under ultra-violet light. A patch showing the denomination (e.g. '50') becomes visible on the $20, $50 and $100 note whilst a square patch appears on the $5 note. On the Federation $5 note, look for wattle leaves and the number '5'.

[Raoul Duke]

I suspect that these high-tech measures only work on newer bills, and there are lots of older ones still floating around out there?

I'd go where Mich went...the Treasury Department (etc.) websites from the countries that issued the notes. They should have info on verifying newer and older bills.

And I'd be as....low-key... as possible about money I was crossing a border with.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Even if some of the notes ARE fakes, you probably won't have much trouble convincing people you aren't a counterfeiter.

And Australian banknotes don't have much real international value anyway. They exist primarily to give Australians something to steal from each other.

[Newbs]

phets72 said:

They're mostly $100 dollar bills with John Monash and Nellie Melba on either side.

Must be fakes. Real Australian $100 have a picture of George on one side and Lotus on the other.

[Becster79]

Raoul, actually, the government ditched ALL the old notes when the new ones came out....actually, I can't remember what year that was, maybe 1992? All very exciting to convert to plastic money! We are so lazy that our money is even colour coded, so you don't even really need to look at what you're handing over !

The security measures are all good, possibly the best in the world...you can spot a fake a mile away! You can even throw your money in the wash and it won't be destroyed, good stuff ;D!

[Raoul Duke]

Wow, interesting...

And probably good news for Phets and her Aussie money!

[Escaped Lunatic]

>You can even throw your money in the wash and it won't be destroyed, good stuff.

Sounds like Becster knows a LOT about money laundering.

[AMonk]

Becster is a clean, young lady of pure, unsullied mind and impeccable reputation.

[Lotus Eater]

And Australians don't like touching dirty money.

[mich]

Yup, found that info on a website, made more sense to cut and paste then send a link....I just googled 'australian currency and authentication'.

I have recieved a fake $50 before. Gave it to a bartender..next thing I knew I was being questioned by police...ahh that was an interesting night.

There are counterfiet notes out there, working in the gaming and racing industries you come accross a few. They are getting better in quality. back in the hotels we used to get one maybe once every two months or so.

You shouldn't have a problem though, they are few and far between and you can spot them a mile away.

The odd older note is still in circulation, but they're very rare.

[Becster79]

Gee, thanks a lot Lunatic, now my secret's out!

[phets72]

Hey Mich,

Your a godess!

Did test from suggestions you made. They all look pretty authentic to me!

thanks again, steph

[cheekygal]

I always thought that aussie notes cannot be torn but just cut. Actually tried tearing 100$ note - didn't work!

[cheekygal]

P.S. Biting didn't help either...

[Ruth]

Cheeky, did you wash it before you put it in your mouth?

[Lone Traveller]

Mich - you should be gold plated. ;D

That information is great. Thanks for posting it. I'll be changing some money soon and your post has made me a little more confident about doing so.

Thanks

L.T

[mich]

It really didn't take that long to get the info..bless google...

when are you planning to head to Oz?