Guide to Detecting Counterfeit Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) Notes

How to Identify Counterfeit KWD (د.ك) Currency Notes

Kuwaiti Dinar might be one of the strongest currencies in the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to counterfeiting. If you’re heading to Kuwait from India for work, study, or leisure, it’s wise to know what genuine KWD notes look and feel like. This guide breaks down key security features across different denominations of KWD, so whether you’re picking up currency in India or exchanging money after landing, you’ll know exactly how to spot a fake.

Key Security Features of Kuwaiti Dinar Bank Notes

The sixth series of Kuwaiti dinar banknotes is the only series currently in circulation. This series was introduced on June 29, 2014, by the Central Bank of Kuwait. The Sixth Issue comprises six denominations: Quarter Dinar, Half Dinar, One Dinar, Five Dinar, Ten Dinar, and Twenty Dinar. Common security features include:

Intaglio Printing:

Intaglio is a specialized printing process where the image is incised into a plate, and the incised lines hold the ink. When paper is pressed against the plate with significant force, the ink is transferred to the paper, creating a raised effect. This results in ink that stands up from the paper's surface, producing a distinct tactile sensation, particularly noticeable on the large denomination numerals, portraits, and significant textual elements like "Central Bank of Kuwait".

Watermark:

A key security feature present in all denominations of the Sixth Issue is the watermark. When a genuine banknote is held up to the light, a multi-tonal image of a Falcon head becomes visible. This watermark is typically accompanied by an electrotype, which is a lighter area displaying the denomination value of the banknote in Arabic numerals.

Security Thread:

All banknotes in the Sixth Issue incorporate a security thread. This thread is typically windowed, meaning it appears to weave in and out of the paper on the surface. When the banknote is tilted, this thread exhibits a color-changing effect. Furthermore, when the note is held to light, the artwork and the banknote's value (denomination) become visible within the thread, which appears as a continuous dark line.

Optically Variable Devices (OVDs):

The Sixth Issue KWD notes utilize optically variable devices that change appearance when the banknote is tilted. These include features like wave shapes printed with special ink that changes color. For some denominations, particularly higher values, a more advanced feature known as SPARK Orbital is used, where the color change is accompanied by a distinct orbital or movement effect.

UV-Reactive Elements:

When exposed to an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, various fluorescent elements become visible on both the front and back of all Sixth Issue KWD banknotes. These elements are not visible under normal lighting conditions. The specific colors and patterns of these UV features are part of the note's security design, and the surrounding paper should remain dull under UV light.

See-Through Register:

All denominations feature a see-through register. This involves incomplete shapes or elements printed on the front and back of the note in precise alignment. When the banknote is held up to the light, these separate elements combine perfectly to form the complete denomination value of the banknote.

Spectrum Feature:

Another feature visible upon tilting the banknote is the Spectrum feature. When the note is tilted, geometric patterns, typically circles, become visible within an area of solid art print on the front of the note. This effect is created by specialized printing techniques.

A Detailed Guide to Identifying Counterfeit KWD Currency by Denomination

Denomination	Color	Front Visuals	Back Visuals	Watermark	Security Thread (Color Shift)	OVD (Color Shift)	UV-Reactive Elements
¼ KWD	Brown	Liberation Tower, Coat of Arms	First Kuwaiti coin, Traditional door	Falcon head + "¼" Arabic	Green → Magenta	Gold → Green	Fluorescent yellow and green highlights on back door & architecture, denomination glows yellow-green
½ KWD	Green	Kuwait National Assembly, Coat of Arms	Dhow, Marine life	Falcon head + "½" Arabic	Gold → Green	Purple → Green	Fluorescent green & orange shapes; glowing denomination and patterns
1 KWD	Blue	Kuwait Towers, CBK HQ	Pearl diving scene	Falcon head + "1" Arabic	Green → Magenta	Green → Gold	Blue & yellow fluorescent elements and marine symbols; paper stays dull
5 KWD	Red	Seif Palace, Coat of Arms	Oil industry, rigs	Falcon head + "5" Arabic	Magenta → Green	Red → Green	Fluorescent yellow & green symbols; oil graphics glow
10 KWD	Purple	Grand Mosque, Coat of Arms	Sports and theatre	Falcon head + "10" Arabic	Green → Purple	Gold → Turquoise	Blue & orange motifs; sports figures glow subtly
20 KWD	Orange	Amiri Diwan, Coat of Arms	Science & tech (space, energy)	Falcon head + "20" Arabic	Purple → Green	Purple → Bronze (orbital shimmer)	Green & pink glowing graphics; paper stays dull

1. Quarter KWD Note (Brown Color)

Visual Elements: Liberation Tower, the State of Kuwait coat of arms on the front side and an image of the first Kuwaiti coin issued, and a traditional wooden Kuwaiti door on the back side are present.
Watermark: A multi-tonal watermark of a Falcon head is visible, along with an electrotype (lighter area) displaying the denomination ¼ in Arabic numerals.
Security Thread: This thread exhibits a color-changing effect from green to magenta when the note is tilted. The thread is demetallized with the characters "CBK" and the denomination ¼. When held to transmitted light, the thread appears as a continuous dark line.
Optically Variable Device (OVD): Located on the front of the note, this feature is an OVI (Optical Variable Ink) patch. A wave shape printed with this ink changes color from gold to green when the banknote is tilted.
Raised Print: Intaglio (raised) printing is present on the main vignettes, the denomination numerals on the front and back, and specific text elements.
UV-Reactive Elements: When exposed to an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, portions of the architectural design and the traditional wooden Kuwaiti door light up in fluorescent yellow and green. The denomination numeral appears in glowing yellow-green ink.
See-Through Register: Incomplete shapes are printed on the front and back of the note. When the banknote is held up to the light, these elements align perfectly to form the complete denomination value ¼.
Spectrum Feature: When the banknote is tilted, geometric patterns, specifically circles, become visible within an area of solid art print on the front of the note.

2. Half KWD Note (Green Color)

Visual Elements: The front of the note features the iconic Kuwait National Assembly building and the State of Kuwait’s coat of arms. The reverse side displays the dhow (traditional sailing vessel) and marine life, celebrating Kuwait’s rich maritime heritage.
Watermark: A Falcon head watermark becomes visible when held to light, accompanied by an electrotype displaying the denomination ½ in Arabic numerals.
Security Thread: The embedded security thread is windowed and color-shifting, demetalized with "CBK" and the denomination. It appears as a dark line when viewed under transmitted light. When tilted, the thread changes color from gold to green.
Optically Variable Device (OVD): Located on the front left side, it is a wave pattern printed with Optically Variable Ink (OVI). It changes color from purple to green when tilted.
Intaglio Printing: It is prominent on the large denomination numerals, coat of arms, and “Central Bank of Kuwait”. You’ll feel a distinct texture when you run your fingers over these elements.
UV-Reactive Elements: Under UV light, fluorescent green and orange shapes appear on both the front and back. Denomination value and geometric elements glow distinctly. The background paper remains dull under UV.
See-Through Register: Incomplete shapes are printed on the front and back of the note. When the banknote is held up to the light, these elements align perfectly to form the complete denomination value ½.
Spectrum Feature: On the front right bottom area, geometric circular patterns emerge when the note is tilted at various angles.

3. One KWD Note (Blue Color)

Visual Elements: The front side has the Kuwait Towers and the Central Bank of Kuwait headquarters, whereas the back side has a traditional pearl diving scene, including divers and tools used for pearling.
Watermark: A Falcon head watermark becomes visible when held to light, accompanied by an electrotype displaying the denomination 1 in Arabic numerals.
Security Thread: The embedded security thread is windowed and color-shifting, demetalized with "CBK" and the denomination 1. It appears as a dark line when viewed under transmitted light. Color shifts from green to magenta when tilted.
Optically Variable Device (OVD): Located on the front side, it is a wave pattern printed with Optically Variable Ink (OVI). It changes color from green to gold when tilted.
Intaglio Printing: It can be particularly felt on “Central Bank of Kuwait” and the blue numerals “1” on both sides.
UV-Reactive Elements: Fluorescent security symbols light up in blue and yellow and some marine symbols glow on the back. Note that the paper remains non-fluorescent.
See-Through Register: When held to light, elements on both sides align to form the numeral “1”
Spectrum Feature: The Lower portion of the front contains solid areas where circular patterns become visible when tilted.

4. Five KWD Note (Red Color)

Visual Elements: The front side displays the Seif Palace (historic government building), and the coat of arms, and the back side showcases Kuwait’s oil industry, showing drilling platforms and oil tanks.
Watermark: A Falcon head watermark becomes visible when held to light, accompanied by an electrotype displaying the denomination 5 in Arabic numerals.
Security Thread: The embedded security thread is windowed and color-shifting, demetalized with "CBK" and the denomination 5. It appears as a dark line when viewed under transmitted light. Color shifts from magenta to green when tilted.
Optically Variable Device (OVD): Located on the front side, it is a wave pattern printed with Optically Variable Ink (OVI). It changes color from red to green when tilted.
Intaglio Printing: It can be particularly felt on “Central Bank of Kuwait”, building features, and the numerals “5” on both sides.
UV-Reactive Elements: Bright fluorescent yellow and green patterns are visible under UV. Oil industry-related symbols on the back also glow under UV.
See-Through Register: When held to light, elements on both sides align to form the numeral “5”
Spectrum Feature: Near the lower front design block, geometric shapes appear and disappear as the note is moved.

5. Ten KWD Note (Purple Color)

Visual Elements: The front of the note features the Grand Mosque and the coat of arms. The reverse side displays the cultural and sports imagery, including fencing and theatre masks.
Watermark: A Falcon head watermark becomes visible when held to light, accompanied by an electrotype displaying the denomination 10 in Arabic numerals.
Security Thread: The embedded security thread is windowed and color-shifting, demetalized with "CBK" and the denomination 10. It appears as a dark line when viewed under transmitted light. Color shifts from green to purple when tilted.
Optically Variable Device (OVD): Located on the front side, it is a wave pattern printed with Optically Variable Ink (OVI). It changes color from gold to turquoise when tilted.
Intaglio Printing: It can be particularly felt on the mosque dome, numerical values, and key text elements.
UV-Reactive Elements: Under UV light, vivid fluorescent blue and orange motifs on the front and back can be seen. Sports figures subtly glow under UV, but the paper itself stays dull.
See-Through Register: When held to light, elements on both sides align to form the numeral “10”.
Spectrum Feature: Circular spectrum patterns emerge from purple color blocks when tilted.

6. Twenty KWD Note (Orange Color)

Visual Elements: The front side displays Amiri Diwan (seat of the Emir), coat of arms and the back side features modern scientific and technological development themes such as space, medicine, and energy symbols.
Watermark: A Falcon head watermark becomes visible when held to light, accompanied by an electrotype displaying the denomination 20 in Arabic numerals.
Security Thread: The embedded security thread is windowed and color-shifting, demetalized with "CBK" and the denomination 20. It appears as a dark line when viewed under transmitted light. Color shifts from purple to green when tilted.
Optically Variable Device (OVD): Located on the front side, it is a wave pattern printed with Optically Variable Ink (OVI). Changes color from purple to bronze with a distinct orbital shimmer when tilted.
Intaglio Printing: Sharp, tactile print on the Amiri Diwan structure, numerals, and Arabic text can be felt.
UV-Reactive Elements: Bright fluorescent green and pink highlights under UV. Scientific graphics glow clearly and the dull paper under UV also indicates authenticity.
See-Through Register: When held to light, elements on both sides align to form the numeral “20”.
Spectrum Feature: Dense orange-toned zones reveal moving geometric patterns when tilted.

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