Guide to Detecting Counterfeit South African Rand (ZAR) Notes

How to Identify Counterfeit ZAR (R) Currency Notes

If you're travelling to South Africa, it's crucial to be aware of counterfeit currency. While the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) implements advanced security features, fake South African Rand (ZAR) notes do circulate, and knowing how to identify them can protect you from financial loss. This guide will walk you through the key security features of each denomination and help you distinguish genuine notes from fake notes.

Key Security Features of South African Rand Bank Notes

Raised Printing (Intaglio):

Key elements like the portrait of Nelson Mandela, the words "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," and the denomination numerals have a raised, tactile feel that you can detect by running your finger over them.

Watermark:

When held up to the light, a detailed watermark of Nelson Mandela's portrait and the denomination numeral should become clearly visible. This image is embedded in the paper, not printed on it.

Security Thread:

A metallic thread is embedded vertically in the note. When held to the light, this thread appears as a continuous, dark line. For R50, R100, and R200 notes, the thread is wider, while for R10 and R20 notes, the thread is narrower.

Colour-Changing Ink (Optically Variable Ink):

On R50, R100, and R200 notes, the denomination numeral on the front, bottom right, is printed in colour-changing ink. When tilted, the colour shifts (e.g., green to gold for R50 and R100, magenta to green for R200).

Iridescent Band:

A shimmering gold band runs vertically on the back of all banknotes. When tilted, the Coat of Arms and the denomination numeral become visible within this band.

Perfect Registration (See-Through Feature):

A specific pattern on the front and back of the banknote aligns perfectly to form the complete denomination numeral when held up to the light.

Microlettering:

Tiny text, such as "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," can be found in various areas on the ZAR banknote and is only visible under magnification.

Geometric Shapes/Tactile Marks for the Visually Impaired:

Distinctive raised shapes or patterns are present on the notes to help visually impaired individuals identify the denomination by touch.

A Detailed Guide to Identifying Counterfeit ZAR Currency 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	Portrait	Raised Ink	Watermark & Security Thread Features	Colour-Changing Ink (OVI)	Iridescent Band	Perfect Registration	Microlettering	Geometric Shapes
R10	Nelson Mandela	Portrait, "SARB", Large "10"	Mandela portrait & "10" watermark, 2mm thread ("SARB", "10")	-	Coat of Arms, "10"	Diamond shape forms "10"	Present (e.g., near the animal's ear)	Diamond
R20	Nelson Mandela	Portrait, "SARB", Large "20"	Mandela portrait & "20" watermark, 2mm thread ("SARB", "20")	-	Coat of Arms, "20"	Square shape forms "20"	Present (e.g., near the animal's ear)	Square
R50	Nelson Mandela	Portrait, "SARB", Large "50"	Mandela portrait & "50" watermark, 4mm thread ("SARB", "RAND", "50", holographic Coat of Arms)	"50" (green to gold)	Coat of Arms, "50"	Circle shape forms "50"	Present (e.g., near the animal's ear)	Circle
R100	Nelson Mandela	Portrait, "SARB", Large "100"	Mandela portrait & "100" watermark, 4mm thread ("SARB", "RAND", "100", holographic Coat of Arms)	"100" (green to gold)	Coat of Arms, "100"	Hexagon shape forms "100"	Present (e.g., near the animal's ear)	Hexagon
R200	Nelson Mandela	Portrait, "SARB", Large "200"	Mandela portrait & "200" watermark, 4mm thread ("SARB", "RAND", "200", holographic Coat of Arms)	"200" (magenta to green)	Coat of Arms, "200"	Oval shape forms "200"	Present (e.g., near the animal's ear)	Hexagon

1. The R10 Banknote

The R10 banknote features a portrait of Nelson Mandela and a rhinoceros on the reverse. Its dominant colour is green.
Run your finger over the portrait of Nelson Mandela, the words "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," and the large "10" on the front; they should have a distinct raised texture.
Hold the note up to the light. A clear, multi-tone watermark of Nelson Mandela's portrait and the numeral "10" should be visible.
Hold the note to the light to see a continuous, dark, embedded security thread (2mm wide) with the text "SARB" and "10" visible.
Tilt the note. A shimmering gold band on the back should reveal the Coat of Arms and the numeral "10" within it.
Hold the note to the light. A diamond shape on the front and back should align perfectly to form the complete numeral "10."
Use a magnifying glass to find tiny text, like "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," to the right of the rhino's ear.
A raised diamond shape is present on the front for individuals with visual impairments.

2. The R20 Banknote

The R20 banknote features a portrait of Nelson Mandela and an elephant on the reverse. Its dominant colour is brown.
Feel the portrait of Nelson Mandela, the words "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," and the large "20" for a raised texture.
Hold the note up to the light. A clear, multi-tone watermark of Nelson Mandela's portrait and the numeral "20" should be visible.
Hold the note to the light to see a continuous, dark, embedded security thread (2mm wide) with the text "SARB" and "20" visible.
Tilt the note. A shimmering gold band on the back should reveal the Coat of Arms and the numeral "20" within it.
Hold the note to the light. A square shape on the front and back should align perfectly to form the complete numeral "20."
Use a magnifying glass to find tiny text, like "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," to the right of the elephant's ear.
A raised square shape is present on the front for individuals with visual impairments

3. The R50 Banknote

The R50 banknote features a portrait of Nelson Mandela and a lion on the reverse. Its dominant colour is red.
Feel the portrait of Nelson Mandela, the words "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," and the large "50" for a distinct raised texture.
Hold the note up to the light. A clear, multi-tone watermark of Nelson Mandela's portrait and the numeral "50" should be visible.
Hold the note to the light to see a continuous, dark, embedded security thread (4mm wide) with the text "SARB," "RAND," and "50." When tilted, a holographic Coat of Arms should be visible within the thread.
Tilt the note. The numeral "50" on the front, bottom right, should change colour from green to gold due to the presence of colour-changing ink.
Tilt the note. A shimmering gold band on the back should reveal the Coat of Arms and the numeral "50" within it.
Hold the note to the light. A circle shape on the front and back should align perfectly to form the complete numeral "50."
Use a magnifying glass to find tiny text, like "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," to the right of the lion's ear.
A raised circle shape is present on the front for the visually impaired.

4. The R100 Banknote

The R100 banknote features a portrait of Nelson Mandela and a buffalo on the reverse. Its dominant colour is blue.
Feel the portrait of Nelson Mandela, the words "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," and the large "100" for a distinct raised texture.
Hold the note up to the light. A clear, multi-tone watermark of Nelson Mandela's portrait and the numeral "100" should be visible.
Hold the note to the light to see a continuous, dark, embedded security thread (4mm wide) with the text "SARB," "RAND," and "100." When tilted, a holographic Coat of Arms should be visible within the thread.
Tilt the note. The numeral "100" on the front, bottom right, should change colour from green to gold due to the presence of colour-changing ink.
Tilt the note. A shimmering gold band on the back should reveal the Coat of Arms and the numeral "100" within it.
Hold the note to the light. A hexagon shape on the front and back should align perfectly to form the complete numeral "100."
Use a magnifying glass to find tiny text, like "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," to the right of the buffalo's ear.
Raised hexagon shapes are present on the front for the visually impaired.

5. The R200 Banknote

The R200 banknote features a portrait of Nelson Mandela and a leopard on the reverse. Its dominant colour is orange.
Feel the portrait of Nelson Mandela, the words "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," and the large "200" for a distinct raised texture.
Hold the note up to the light. A clear, multi-tone watermark of Nelson Mandela's portrait and the numeral "200" should be visible.
Hold the note to the light to see a continuous, dark, embedded security thread (4mm wide) with the text "SARB," "RAND," and "200." When tilted, a holographic Coat of Arms should be visible within the thread.
Tilt the note. The numeral "200" on the front, bottom right, should change colour from magenta to green due to the presence of colour-changing ink.
Tilt the note. A shimmering gold band on the back should reveal the Coat of Arms and the numeral "200" within it.
Hold the note to the light. An oval shape on the front and back should align perfectly to form the complete numeral "200."
Use a magnifying glass to find tiny text, like "SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK," to the right of the leopard's ear.
Raised hexagon shapes are present on the front for the visually impaired.

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