SBP video explains Rs1,000 note security features

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday released a detailed explainer video on how to spot a fake Rs1,000 banknote.

The SBP produced the video following reports of an increase in the circulating of fake Rs1,000 notes across the country.

According to the reports, which quoted an SBP official, the quantity of counterfeit notes found over the previous two years has stayed constant. Between 60 and 70 percent of the detected counterfeit notes have a denomination of Rs1,000. The SBP official disclosed that during the previous 24 months, the SBP received thousands of counterfeit notes in various denominations from law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Investigation Agency and the police, for additional examination and appropriate action.

The central bank has not received any complaints in the last year about counterfeit notes coming from any Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). The SBP has a specific email address where reports of counterfeit notes from ATMs can be sent.

The Quaid-e-Azam portrait watermark, window security thread, optical changeable ink, and other security features are all present on the 2007-issued 1000 rupee note.

On the note’s obverse left is a portrait of Quaid-e-Azam dressed in national dress. According to information about the security features of the Rs. 1,000 note that is available on the SBP website, there is a partially integrated window security thread running from top to bottom at the front left side of the note. In the thread, the denomination number “1000” is visible. Silver dashes may be seen at the head of the note, representing the thread. The metallic thread shows as a dark line when the note is held up against the transmitted light. Under ultra-violet light, the security thread appears as fluorescent bands that are yellow and turquoise.

The crescent and five-pointed star surrounded by the printing design of optical variable ink (OVI) appears at the obverse right of the note. The OVI design changes colour from magenta to green and green to magenta when the note is viewed from different angles.

When viewed through light, the value figure of the note appears partially at the reverse right top and partially at the obverse left top. The note is protected from scanning and photocopying by anti-scan and anti-copy line patterns that appear on the note.