Look: Print Quality
Lines should be sharp and well defined with no blurred edges. Colours should be clear and distinct.
Look: Transmission
As the note is a polymer there is no watermark, however due to the substrate used when the note is held up to the light you should be able to see visible images from the opposite side. The partial Bank of Scotland Logo under the Mound can also be seen in full if you hold the note up to the light.
Look: Mask
If you look at the circular area to the left-hand side of the domed roof you will see a thistle pattern but when held up to the light the number 10 appears.
Look: Security Thread
Running vertically on the left of the note there is a printed security thread which incorporates the text ‘TWENTY POUNDS’. The thread is visible on both the front and back of the note.
Look: See Through
There is a large clear polymer window on the left of the note that runs vertically when viewed from the front, within the window you will see the hologram. Smaller windows within the Mound building have also been incorporated as additional see through areas.
Look: Microprinting
Microprinting features in various locations throughout the note and some examples which you can see using a good quality magnifying glass are given here.
- On the front of the note the curved edge to the left of both the portrait and clear window and around the thistles in the centre of the note reads 'BANKOFSCOTLAND'.
- You will also see the number '20' written repeatedly in sections of the note at the top and bottom left edge of the portrait.
Look: Serial Numbers
Each Note has a unique serial number which is printed twice on the front of the note, horizontally in the upper centre and vertically on the upper right. Serial numbers for the Queensferry Crossing commemorative note start with the preface 'QC' followed by six numbers. The vertical serial number is red and will fluoresce under Ultraviolet Light.
Look: Denomination Numerals
The number ‘20’ accompanied by a '£' sign appears near the top left on the front of the note and again within the hologram. A number ‘20’ can also be found in the bottom right corner as a Spark ® feature.
Feel: Polymer Quality
The note should feel smoother than a paper note, though this will reduce over time. Like paper notes, polymer notes have raised print giving them a tactile quality.
Feel: Tactile Feature
There are three arrangements of four dots in square formation, enabling physical identification for the visually impaired.
Feel: Raised Print
On the front of the note you will feel raised print if you run your finger over:
- The "£20" in the top left corner
- The Bank of Scotland name and logo and all writing including signatures
- The portrait of Sir Walter Scott
- The Bank of Scotland Coat of Arms
Feel: Embossed Numeral
You will see a small number 10 embossed into the large window. You can also feel this with your fingertips.
Tilt: Holographic Foil
On the front of the note within the large clear window you will see a Holographic foil strip. Within the strip you will see image of ‘Fame’ and the Mound pediment. Below ‘Fame’ you will also see the Bank of Scotland logo and ‘£20’. If you tilt the note back and forward the images will move and their colours change. The holographic foil is visible from the front and back of the note.
Tilt: Spark®
The bottom right hand numeral is printed in shiny metallic ink which changes colour from purple to gold when you move the note around. You can also see a rolling bar effect as you tilt the note in a north-south motion.
Check: Compare
Always compare both sides of a suspect note with another note that you know to be genuine, looking for differences between the two. Make sure you check the size of a suspect note against a known genuine note.
Check: UV Fluorescence
If you place the note under a good quality ULTRA-VIOLET light you will see a solid rectangular block below the ‘promise to pay’ wording that will fluoresce. You will also see the Bank of Scotland Logo appear within the block. The vertical serial number will also fluoresce.
Check: Gemini UV Printing
If you place the note under a good quality ULTRA-VIOLET light, you will see there are areas of the note that appear as a single colour in daylight but fluoresce as two separate colours under ultra-violet light. An example of this are 2 of the thistles on the front of the note above the image of the Mound.
Look: Print Quality
Lines should be sharp and well defined with no blurred edges. Colours should be clear and distinct.
Look: Transmission
As the note is a polymer there is no watermark, however due to the substrate used when the note is held up to the light you should be able to see visible images from the opposite side. The partial Bank of Scotland Logo under the Mound can also be seen in full if you hold the note up to the light.
Look: Mask
If you look at the circular area to the right-hand side of the domed roof when held up to the light the number 10 in reverse is visible.
Look: Security Thread
Running vertically on the left of the note there is a printed security thread which incorporates the text ‘TWENTY POUNDS’. The thread is visible on both the front and back of the note.
Look: See Through
There is a large clear polymer window on the right of the note that runs vertically when viewed from the back, within the window you will see the hologram. Smaller windows within the Mound building have also been incorporated as additional see through areas.
Look: Microprinting
On the back of the note the words 'BANKOFSCOTLAND' can be found running vertically down the right-hand edge of the words ‘TWENTY POUNDS STERLING’ and horizontally under the words ‘Forth Bridge’. You will also see the number '20' written repeatedly in the four corners of the note and within the large ‘20’ in the top left corner.
Look: Denomination Numerals
On the back of the note the number 20 accompanied by a '£' sign appears in the top left corner of the note and again in reverse within the hologram. A large ‘20’ can also be found in the centre background.
Feel: Polymer Quality
The note should feel smoother than a paper note, though this will reduce over time. Like paper notes, polymer notes have raised print giving them a tactile quality.
Feel: Raised Print
On the back of the note you will feel raised print if you run your finger over:
- the Vignette of Glenfinnan Viaduct and wording
- the numerical values at the top left and bottom right of the note
- the bank name and logo
- the words "Ten Pounds Sterling"
Feel: Embossed Numeral
You will see a small number 10 in reverse embossed into the large window.
Tilt: Holographic Foil
On the front of the note within the large clear window you will see a Holographic foil strip. Within the strip you will see image of ‘Fame’ and the Mound pediment. Below ‘Fame’ you will also see the Bank of Scotland logo and ‘£20’. If you tilt the note back and forward the images will move and their colours change. The holographic foil is visible from the front and back of the note.
Check: Compare
Always compare both sides of a suspect note with another note that you know to be genuine, looking for differences between the two. Make sure you check the size of a suspect note against a known genuine note.
Check: UV Fluorescence
If you place the note under a good quality ULTRA-VIOLET light part of the Queensferry Crossing image at the bottom edge of the note will fluoresce.
Check: Gemini UV Printing
If you place the note under a good quality ULTRA-VIOLET light you will see there are areas of the note that appear as a single colour in daylight but fluoresce as two separate colours under ultra-violet. An example of this is the single thistle.
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