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.
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
The security thread has been replaced with the words "FIFTY" and the number "50", visible on the front of the note running vertically along parts of the edge of the polymer window.
Look: See Through
There is a clear polymer window on the left of the note that runs vertically when viewed from the front. The Hologram can be seen within the window.
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.
- The horizontal line at the top edge of the portrait reads 'ROYALBANKOFSCOTLAND'.
- The words and numerical value ‘FIFTY50’ and ‘50’ appear repeatedly in sections of the background image and shading.
Look: Serial Numbers
Each Note has a unique serial number which is printed twice on the front of the note, horizontally on the lower right and vertically on the upper left. Serial numbers consist of two letters followed by six numbers. Both serial numbers will fluoresce under Ultraviolet Light the vertical will fluoresce yellow and the horizontal blue.
Look: Denomination Numerals
The number ‘50’ accompanied by a '£' sign appears vertically in the top left and horizontally in the top right on the front of the note. The number ‘50’ is also found within the hologram.
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
Four arrangements of four dots in square formation can be found in the bottom left corner of the note, this will enable 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 along:
- The "£50" in the top left corner
- The Royal Bank of Scotland name and logo and all writing including signatures
- The portrait of Flora Stevenson
Feel: Embossed Numeral
You will see a small number 20 embossed into the clear 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 the RBS logo above a number ’50’ with Ladies Bedstraw flowers in the background. The number ‘50’ is also written repeatedly within the middle section of the hologram. 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 you will see
- A solid rectangular block can be seen in the centre top of the note that will fluoresce; within the block you will see the outline of an osprey nest
- Below this you will also see the outline of a Gird and Cleek
- In the bottom left corner of the note, an image of 5 Midges with their wings outstretched forming a pentagon with the number 50 in the middle
- Both serial numbers 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 is the RBS Bank logo and the words ‘ST’ & ’KILDA’.
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.
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 clear polymer window on the left of the note that runs vertically when viewed from the front. The Hologram can be seen within the window.
Look: Microprinting
The words and numerical value ‘FIFTY50’ and ‘50’ appear repeatedly in sections of the background image and shading on the back of the note the ‘50’ is also present on the ring on one of the Ospreys legs.
Look: Denomination Numerals
On the back of the note the number ‘50’ accompanied by a '£' sign appears vertically in the top right and bottom left corners of the note and in reverse within the hologram.
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 two Red Squirrels and background imagery
- The numerical value at the top right of the note
- The Royal Bank of Scotland name and logo and all writing including poetry
Feel: Embossed Numeral
You will see a small number 10 in reverse embossed into the large window.
Tilt: Iridescence
When viewed from the back, part of the Iridescent band can be seen through the clear window.
Tilt: Holographic Foil
On the back of the note within the large clear window you will see a Holographic foil strip. Within the strip you will see the RBS logo above a number ’50’ in reverse with Ladies Bedstraw flowers in the background. The number ‘50’ is also written repeatedly within the middle section of the hologram. 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 you will see hidden lines of poetry appear between the visible poetry to the left of the clear window. The lines of poetry read ‘The forests hum with feathers, But where are now the men?’
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 are the 2 Ospreys.
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