1. Identifying a phony paper or polymer note
Polymer ₤ 5 and ₤ 10 notes have actually totally changed paper notes considering that 2018, while this year has seen the release of polymer ₤ 20 notes into flow.
All notes will be polymer by the end of 2021, when the Bank of England expects to have released a ₤ 50 polymer note.
But with paper notes still in flow and polymer notes having extra security features to make them harder to fake, what should you be keeping an eye out for to identify if your money is fake?
Initially, let's take a look at how to spot a fake paper banknote. If you're particularly thinking about identifying fake plastic notes, scroll straight to point eight.
These are printed on an unique product, so make sure you check how the paper feels.
An authentic banknote has a cloth-like feel, while a phony note will feel more like basic paper.
₤ 50 banknote (Image: Bank of England).
2. Raised print.
Run your finger throughout the paper note and if it's real, you should be able to feel the raised print on areas such as the words 'Bank of England' on the front.
If it's a counterfeit, the note is unlikely to have a textured feel to it and will feel flat all over.
3. Inspect the metallic thread.
A metallic thread is embedded in every paper banknote.
This looks like silver dashes on the back of paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes (see more info on identifying fake paper ₤ 20 notes on this Bank of England page).
The thread is woven through the paper-- not just printed on-- so when you hold it approximately the light it must look like a continuous dark line.
This looks like intense green dashes on the front of ₤ 50 notes.
Each dash is really a window which consists of pictures of the '₤' symbol and the number '50'. When the note is slanted from side to side, the images move up and down.
When the note is tilted up and down, the images move from side to side and the number '50' and '₤' sign swap places.
4. Inspect the watermark.
If you hold an authentic note as much as the light, you ought to see an image of the Queen's portrait.
Nevertheless, if you can still see the watermark when the note is flat and not held up to the light, it's most likely to be a dodgy note.
5. Examine the print quality.
The printed lines and colours on authentic notes will be detailed and sharp and totally free from smudges or blurred edges. So make sure you check the information thoroughly.
If the quality is poor or messy, you've obtained a phony!
6. Check under ultra-violet light.
This isn't so handy if you have actually simply been provided a banknote in a shop, however if you're truly identified to discover whether your note is phony or authentic, put it under ultra-violet light.
If it's the real offer, its value will appear in bright red and green numbers while the background will be dull on the other hand.
The paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes likewise have Fake money that looks and feels real bright red and green flecks arbitrarily spread out over the front and back of the note.
7. Use a magnifying glass.
Utilize a magnifying glass to look closely at the lettering beneath the Queen's picture. On an authentic note, ornamental swirls spell out the value of the note in little letters and numerals.