Guide to Detecting Counterfeit Mauritian Rupee (MUR) Notes

How to Identify Counterfeit Mauritian Rupee (Rs) Currency Notes

The Mauritian Rupee is the official currency of Mauritius, issued by the Bank of Mauritius. While polymer notes have been introduced to enhance security and durability, counterfeit versions continue to circulate. If you are planning a trip to Mauritius, knowing how to authenticate genuine notes is essential. This guide highlights key security features for each denomination in current use, helping you avoid counterfeit pitfalls whether in India or upon arrival in Mauritius.

Key Security Features of Mauritian Rupee Bank Notes

Watermark:

All genuine Mauritian notes feature a portrait watermark of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR), the first Prime Minister of Mauritius. Alongside the portrait, an electrotype watermark of the denomination numeral (e.g., “100”) is visible when held to light.

Security Thread:

Each note has a metallic thread that is either fully embedded or windowed. When held to the light, it appears as a continuous dark line. On higher denominations, the thread includes microtext such as "Bank of Mauritius" or the denomination. Some threads also display shifting colors.

Intaglio Printing (Raised Print):

Certain areas are printed with raised ink that can be felt to the touch. These usually include the portrait of SSR, the bank name, large denomination numerals, and special tactile marks for the visually impaired.

See-Through Feature:

A small, incomplete design element (often a geometric shape or numeral) is printed on both sides. When held against the light, they align perfectly to form a complete figure.

Microtext:

Very fine text, such as "BANK OF MAURITIUS" or the denomination, is embedded within design lines. It appears as a line to the naked eye but is readable with magnification.

Latent Image:

On some denominations, a latent image of the note’s value is hidden in a patterned area. It becomes visible only when the note is tilted at eye level.

Optically Variable Ink (OVI):

Higher denomination notes have numerals printed in OVI, which change color (e.g., gold to green) when viewed from different angles.

Holographic Patch (High Value Notes):

On notes such as Rs. 1000 and Rs. 2000, a holographic patch displays changing images, such as the dodo bird, when tilted.

A Detailed Guide to Identifying Counterfeit Mauritian Rupee Notes by Denomination

The current series of South African banknotes features a portrait of Nelson Mandela on the front and various "Big Five" animals on the back. The most recent upgrades in 2023 further enhanced security features, as mentioned below.

Denomination	Dominant Color	Front Design	Back Design	OVI Ink	Latent Image	Holographic Patch
Rs. 25	Light Orange / Brown	SSR + State House	Bank of Mauritius	No	No	No
Rs. 50	Violet / Purple	SSR + Aapravasi Ghat	Bank HQ / Port	No	Yes – "50"	No
Rs. 100	Green	SSR + Bank of Mauritius	Sugarcane Industry	No	Yes – "100"	No
Rs. 200	Blue	SSR + Airport	Industry/Port	No	Yes – "200"	No
Rs. 500	Orange-Red	SSR + Le Morne Brabant	Fishing Scene	Yes – "500"	Yes – "500"	No
Rs. 1000	Brown/Olive	SSR + University	Port Louis Harbor	Yes – "1000"	Yes – "1000"	Yes
Rs. 2000	Burgundy	SSR + Bank HQ	Financial/Industry	Yes – "2000"	Yes – "2000"	Yes

1. Rs. 25

Color: Light Orange or Brownish tones
Front: Portrait of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam on the right; State House in the center/left
Back: A view of the Bank of Mauritius building.
Watermark: Portrait of SSR with electrotype "25" numeral.
Security Thread: Vertical embedded thread visible when held to light.
Raised Print: On SSR’s portrait, “25” numerals, and bank text
See-Through Feature: Partial numeral “25” aligning front and back
Microtext: “BANK OF MAURITIUS” and “25 RUPEES” in border designs.
Latent Image: Not present on this denomination.
OVI: Not present on this denomination.

2. Rs. 50

Color: Purple or Violet tones
Front: Portrait of SSR on the right; Aapravasi Ghat (World Heritage Site) in the center
Back: Bank of Mauritius building and port scene
Watermark: SSR + electrotype "50"
Security Thread: Windowed thread, visible as dark line with microtext under light
Raised Print: SSR’s portrait, denomination, bank name
See-Through Feature: Floral motif or numeral 50 aligns when held to light
Microtext: Found in design lines around portrait and architectural motifs
Latent Image: “50” appears when tilted at eye level
OVI: Not present on this denomination

3. Rs. 100

Color: Green color
Front: SSR portrait on the right; Bank of Mauritius building in the center
Back: Sugarcane farming and industry scene
Watermark: SSR + electrotype "100"
Security Thread: Windowed metallic thread, microprinted with “100”
Raised Print: Portrait, numerals, text elements
See-Through Feature: Numeral “100” halves align front & back
Microtext: “BANK OF MAURITIUS” and “100 RUPEES”
Latent Image: “100” visible at a certain angle
OVI: Not present on this note

4. Rs. 200

Color: Blue color
Front: SSR portrait on right; Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport depicted
Back: A modern industrial scene or port-related design
Watermark: SSR + electrotype "200"
Security Thread: Windowed thread with “BANK OF MAURITIUS” and “200”
Raised Print: On portrait, numerals, text, tactile marks
See-Through Feature: Geometric design or numeral 200 aligns under the light
Microtext: In border patterns, readable with magnification
Latent Image: “200” appears when tilted
OVI: Not present on this denomination

5. Rs. 500

Color: Orange-Red tones
Front: SSR portrait on right; Le Morne Brabant (World Heritage Site) in center
Back: Marine life or fishing scene
Watermark: SSR + electrotype "500"
Security Thread: Windowed metallic thread with “500” microtext
Raised Print: On portrait, denomination, bank’s name
See-Through Feature: Numeral “500” halves align
Microtext: “BANK OF MAURITIUS” and “500 RUPEES”
Latent Image: “500” visible when tilted
OVI: Yes, it is present. The numeral “500” changes color (gold to green)

6. Rs. 1000

Color: Brown or Olive
Front: SSR portrait on right; University of Mauritius in the center
Back: Scene of Port Louis harbor and cargo ships
Watermark: SSR + electrotype "1000"
Security Thread: Wide windowed thread with shifting colors and microtext “1000”
Raised Print: Portrait, denomination, tactile dots, etc
See-Through Feature: Geometric motif aligns front & back
Microtext: Embedded around designs
Latent Image: “1000” visible at a certain tilt
OVI: Yes, the numeral “1000” has a color-shifting property
Holographic Patch: Features a dodo bird and a “1000” numeral shifting with angle

7. Rs. 2000

Color: Burgundy / Deep Red
Front: SSR portrait; Bank of Mauritius headquarters in the center
Back: Modern economic development scene (financial district or industry)
Watermark: SSR + electrotype "2000"
Security Thread: Wide color-shifting thread, visible in segments but continuous under light, with “2000” microtext
Raised Print: Portrait, denomination, bank name, tactile features
See-Through Feature: Numeral “2000” completes under light
Microtext: Embedded in borders and architectural designs
Latent Image: “2000” visible when tilted
OVI: Yes, the numeral “2000” changes color
Holographic Patch: Dodo bird + denomination shift when tilted