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 note 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 5 appears.
Look: Security Thread
Printed magnetics - Running vertically from top to bottom there is a printed magnetic security thread which incorporates the text "FIVE POUNDS". The thread is visible on both the front and back of the note and is machine readable.
Look: See Through
One end of the mound appears as a large transparent window. Some of the buildings numerous windows 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 Head Office images that runs from the top to the bottom of the note reads 'BANKOFSCOTLAND'. You will also see the number '5' written repeatedly in a section below the signatures and above the promise to pay on the front of the note.
Look: Serial Numbers
Each Note has a unique serial number which is printed twice on the front of the note, horizontally on the upper left and vertically on the upper right. Serial numbers consist of two letters followed by six numbers. The vertical serial number is red and will fluoresce under Ultra Violet Light.
Look: Denomination Numerals
The number 5 accompanied by a '£' sign appears near the top left on the front of the note. A number "5" can also be found in the background above the image of the mound and again 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: Raised Print
On the front of the note you will feel raised print if you run your finger along:
- The "£5" 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 5 embossed into the large window. You can also feel this with your fingertips.
Tilt: Iridescence
The domed roof of The Mound is a shiny coloured ink that shimmers when you move the note around.
Tilt: Spark®
The bottom right hand numeral is printed in shiny metallic ink which changes colour from Blue to green 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: UV Fluorescence
If you place the note under a good quality ULTRA-VIOLET light you will see a solid rectangular block behind the Governor’s signature that will fluoresce. You will also see the Bank of Scotland Logo appear within the block. The partial Logo beneath the Mound will also fluoresce as will other background areas of the note.
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.
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: 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.
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 note 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 5 in reverse is visible.
Look: Denomination Numerals
On the back of the note the number 5 accompanied by a '£' sign appears in the top left and bottom right corners of the note. A large "5" can also be found in the centre background.
Look: Microprinting
On the back of the note the top horizontal edge of the Brig o' Doon image reads 'BANKOFSCOTLAND5'. The words "BANK OF SCOTLAND" can also be found running vertically in a straight line down the right hand side of the large clear window. The number '5' can also be seen written repeatedly in the patterned areas of all 4 corners.
Look: Security Thread
Printed magnetics - Running vertically from top to bottom there is a printed magnetic security thread which incorporates the text "FIVE POUNDS". The thread is visible on both the front and back of the note and is machine readable.
Look: See Through
One end of the mound appears as a large transparent window with some of the building's numerous windows also incorporated as additional see through areas.
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 along: - the portrait of Robert Burns and the Brig o' Doon
- the numerical values at the top left and bottom right of the note
- the bank name and logo
- the words “Five Pounds Sterling”
Tilt: Iridescence
The domed roof of The Mound is a shiny coloured ink that shimmers when you move the note around.
Check: UV Fluorescence
If you place the note under a good quality ULTRA-VIOLET light the background area in the top and bottom right will fluoresce as will the partial Logo beneath the Mound and the thistle in the Bottom right.
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 in the bottom right corner.
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