Guide to Detect Counterfeit United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)

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How to Identify Counterfeit AED (د.إ) Currency Notes

Planning a trip to the UAE? Along with the excitement of desert safaris and luxury shopping, there’s a critical detail you shouldn’t overlook - making sure the Emirati Dirhams (AED) in your wallet are the real notes. Counterfeit notes might not be the first thing on your mind, but they can sneak in through unexpected channels, turning a dream trip into a costly lesson. This guide will walk you through the security features of AED notes and help you tell real from fake at a glance.

Current Emirati Dirhams Banknote in Circulation

Currently, banknotes are available in denominations of AED 5, AED 10, AED 20, AED 50, AED 100, AED 200, AED 500, and AED 1000. The UAE Dirham (AED) has been issued in three main series over the decades.

1. First Issue (1973): The UAE Currency Board introduced the first series of banknotes in 1973, comprising denominations of AED 1, AED 5, AED 10, AED 50, and AED 100. An AED 1000 note was subsequently added in 1976. These notes featured watermarks and were bilingual, with Arabic and English texts. After the introduction of the Second Issue, these first series notes were withdrawn from circulation and are now primarily of numismatic interest.


2. Second Issue (1982 onwards): This series, predominantly made of cotton-paper, was introduced by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) starting in 1982. These paper notes feature Arabic text and Eastern Arabic numerals on the obverse (front), and English text with standard Arabic (Western) numerals on the reverse (back). They still remain in circulation alongside the newer polymer notes.

3. Third Issue (2021 onwards): As part of the CBUAE's "National Currency Project," a new series of banknotes printed on polymer substrate has been rolled out in 2021. The CBUAE has incorporated a suite of advanced security elements into this series. The rollout includes:


  • AED 50 (commemorative polymer note, December 2021)
  • AED 5 and AED 10 (polymer, April 2022)
  • AED 1000 (polymer, April 2023)
  • AED 500 (polymer, November 2023)
  • AED 100 (polymer, March 2025)

General Security Features of Emirati Dirham Bank Notes (Third Issue)

AED Transparent Window
1. Transparent Windows:
These windows are visible from both the front and back of the note. They often contain designs, including portraits of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
AED Variable Ink
2. Optically Variable Ink:
The ink exhibits color changes and dynamic visual effects when the banknote is tilted. It is often used for the denomination numeral or other key design elements.
AED Foil Stripes
3. Advanced Foil Stripes:
These stripes often incorporate detailed imagery, such as portraits or denomination numerals, and exhibit pronounced color shifts and movement when tilted.
Intaglio Raised Print
4. Advanced Intaglio Printing:
Key design elements, numerals, and important text are printed using this method, giving them a distinct feel.
Microprinting
5. Microprinting:
Extremely small text is integrated into the banknote design. This text is clearly legible under a magnifying glass.
AED Latent Image
6. Latent Image:
These are images or text (such as the "UAE" map outline or denomination) that are invisible when the note is viewed directly but become apparent when the note is tilted.
AED See-through Register
7. See-Through Register:
There are partial design elements printed on the front and back of the note that align perfectly to form a complete image when the note is held up to the light.
UV Fluorescence
8. UV Fluorescence:
Under ultraviolet light, the UAE Nation Brand logo, for instance, often fluoresces in blue on the polymer series. Other elements may glow in yellow, green, or orange.
Braille
9. Braille Markings:
All denominations in the new polymer series feature raised dots in Braille to assist visually impaired individuals in identifying the note's value.
AED Serial Numbers
10. Serial Numbers:
Polymer notes feature serial numbers, typically printed in Arabic (often vertically and in a fluorescent color like red) and in English (often horizontally and in black magnetic ink).

A Detailed Guide to Identifying Counterfeit AED Currency by Denomination (Third Issue)

5 AED Note

1. AED 5 (Brown):

Obverse: Ajman Fort, UAE Nation Brand logo

Reverse: Dhayah Fort in Ras Al Khaimah


Key Security Features:

  • Circular transparent window with portrait of Sheikh Zayed
  • Latent image showing the UAE map and "UAE" initials
  • See-through geometric pattern aligning front and back
  • Raised printing with "CENTRAL BANK OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES"
  • Arabic microtext around Ajman Fort (obverse)
  • English microtext behind Dhayah Fort (reverse)
  • Security thread / embedded magnetic ink line with "5 AED"
  • Arabic serial number (vertical) in red fluorescent ink
  • English serial number (horizontal) in black magnetic ink
  • UV fluorescence (value '5', Ajman Fort elements, four corners on front; Dhayah Fort elements, see-through design surroundings, Gregorian year on reverse; UAE Nation Brand logo in blue).
10 AED Note

2. AED 10 (Green):

Obverse: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi; UAE Nation Brand logo.

Reverse: Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre, Sharjah.


Key Security Features:

  • Circular transparent window with Sheikh Zayed portrait
  • Latent image (UAE map outline with "UAE" initials)
  • See-through printed geometric design
  • Intaglio microtext ("CENTRAL BANK OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES")
  • Offset microtext (Arabic around Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, English behind Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre)
  • A thin embedded security thread with “10 AED” printed with magnetic ink
  • Arabic serial number (vertical, red fluorescent)
  • English serial number (horizontal, black magnetic)
  • UV fluorescence (value '10', mosque elements, four corners on front; amphitheatre elements, see-through design surroundings, Gregorian year on reverse; UAE Nation Brand logo in blue)
50 AED Note

3. AED 50 (Purple):

Obverse: Portrait of the Founding Fathers of the Union, UAE Nation Brand logo, Wahat Al Karama (Oasis of Dignity) memorial.

Reverse: Portrait of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan signing the Union Agreement, Etihad Museum.


Key Security Features:

  • Semi-rectangular transparent window with Wahat Al Karama image
  • Circular transparent window with Sheikh Zayed portrait
  • Latent image (UAE map outline with "UAE" initials)
  • See-through printed geometric design
  • Offset microtext (Arabic around Founding Fathers' picture)
  • Intaglio microtext ("CENTRAL BANK OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES")
  • A thin embedded security thread with “50 AED” printed with magnetic ink
  • Arabic serial number (vertical, red fluorescent)
  • English serial number (horizontal, black magnetic)
  • UV fluorescence (value '50', Founding Fathers' picture elements, four corners on front; Sheikh Zayed signing picture elements, see-through design surroundings, Gregorian year on reverse; UAE Nation Brand logo in blue)
100 AED Note

4. AED 100 (Red/Pink):

Obverse: Umm Al Quwain National Fort, UAE Nation Brand logo

Reverse: Port of Fujairah, Etihad Rail


Key Security Features:

  • Semi-rectangular transparent window with watchtower of al-Hosn (White Fort) image
  • Circular transparent window with Sheikh Zayed’s portrait
  • Latent image containing UAE map or similar motif (common across denomination windows)
  • See-through printed geometric/design elements, aligning front and back
  • Offset microtext (Arabic) found around design elements
  • Intaglio microtext ("CENTRAL BANK OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES")
  • A thin embedded security thread with “100 AED” printed with magnetic ink
  • Arabic serial number (vertical, red fluorescent)
  • English serial number (horizontal, black magnetic)
  • UV fluorescence (value '100', elements of the Founding Fathers’ picture, four corners on front, elements of the Union declaration scene, surrounding of see-through design, Gregorian year on reverse; UAE Nation Brand logo in blue)
500 AED Note

5. AED 500 (Blue):

Obverse: Terra Sustainability Pavilion at Expo City Dubai, UAE Nation Brand logo

Reverse: Museum of the Future, Emirates Towers, Burj Khalifa


Key Security Features:

  • SPARK Flow Dimension foil element with the numeral "500" on the back
  • Multi-colored KINEGRAM COLORS foil stripe, largest regionally, visible on both sides
  • See-through printed geometric/design elements, aligning front and back
  • Offset microtext (Arabic) found around design elements
  • Intaglio microtext ("CENTRAL BANK OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES")
  • A thin embedded security thread with “500 AED” printed with magnetic ink
  • Arabic serial number (vertical, red fluorescent)
  • English serial number (horizontal, black magnetic)
  • Color changing ink (denomination "500" in gold-to-green on reverse)
  • UV fluorescence (value '500', elements of the Terra Pavilion, four corners on front; elements of the Museum of the Future, Emirates Towers, Burj Khalifa, surrounding of see-through design, Gregorian year on reverse; UAE Nation Brand logo in blue)
1000 AED Note

6. AED 1000 (Brown / Yellowish Brown):

Obverse: Commemorative portrait of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan looking at a space shuttle, image of the UAE's "Hope Probe" Mars Mission, UAE Nation Brand logo. An astronaut image appears as a security mark on the chip/foil area

Reverse: Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi


Key Security Features:

  • SPARK Flow Dimension foil with the numeral “1000” on the back (color-shifting)
  • Partially metallized KINEGRAM COLORS foil stripe depicting an astronaut (visible on both sides)
  • Circular transparent window with Sheikh Zayed portrait
  • An astronaut image as a security mark on the front (chip area)
  • Intaglio microtext ("CENTRAL BANK OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES")
  • See-through printed geometric/design elements, aligning front and back
  • Serial numbers (Arabic vertical red fluorescent, English horizontal black magnetic)
  • UV fluorescence (value '1000’ on front and back; astronaut, space shuttle, satellite, Hope Probe elements, Sheikh Zayed portrait, four corners on front; Barakah Nuclear Plant elements, surrounding see-through design, Gregorian year on reverse; UAE Nation Brand logo in blue)


Denomination-Specific Security Visuals (Second Issue)

1. AED 5 (Brown): Obverse: Central Souq in Sharjah. Reverse: Salem Al Mutawa Mosque in Sharjah.

2. AED 10 (Green): Obverse: Khanjar (traditional curved dagger). Reverse: A pilot farm or agricultural scene.

3. AED 20 (Light Blue, issued 1997): Obverse: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. Reverse: A traditional trading dhow (sailing vessel).

4. AED 50 (Purple): Obverse: An Arabian Oryx (a species of antelope). Reverse: Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain.

5. AED 100 (Red/Pink): Obverse: Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai. Reverse: The Dubai World Trade Centre building.

6. AED 200 (Green/Brown or Orange, issued 1989): Obverse: A Sharia court building and the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Reverse: The Central Bank of the UAE building in Abu Dhabi.

7. AED 500 (Navy Blue, issued 1983): Obverse: The head of a Saker falcon. Reverse: The Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai.

8. AED 1000 (Greenish Blue or Green and Brown, reintroduced 2000): Obverse: Qasr al-Hosn (an old fort) in Abu Dhabi. Reverse: The Abu Dhabi Corniche skyline.

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