IDENTIFICATION OF BSP BANK NOTES AND COINS

The following are the characteristics, designs and distinct features of BSP banknotes:

All banknotes include a number of security features, indicated on the front side:

1. Embossed prints

2. Serial number (in variable sized figures)

3. Security fibers

4. Watermark

5. See-through mark ("pilipino" spelled in baybayin, letters, used before the

arrival of the spanish.)

6. Concealed value

7. Security thread

8. Optically variable device (only on 500 and 1000 peso notes)

9. Value Panel

PAPER- Feel the paper- the genuine note is printed on a special kind of paper which is
rough when you run your fingers through it. It does not glow under ultra-violet light.
During paper manufacture, the watermarks, security fiber, security threads and
iridescent band are included.

WATERMARK- Examine the watermarks on the unprinted portion of the note- The
watermark is the silhouette of the portrait appearing on the face of the note. Sharp
details of the light and shadow effect can be seen when the note is viewed against the
light. Contours of the features of the silhouette can be felt by running the finger over
the design relatively new notes.

OPTICALLY VARIABLE INK- For the P1,000 banknote, the embossed "1,000"
denominated value at the lower right corner of the face of the note changes color from
green to magenta when viewed at different angles.

For the P500 note, a mark with a stylized Philippine flag design changes color from gold
to green depending on which angle it is viewed.

TACTILE MARKS- The enhanced banknotes now have pairs of short horizontal bands
printed in intaglio at the extreme right and left sides of the note -- five pairs for P1,000;
four pairs for P500; three pairs for P200; two pairs for P100, and one pair for P50.

ENHANCED VALUE PANEL

For both the P1,000 and P500 notes, the value panel at the upper left corner has been
enhanced by adding a rolling bar effect when tilted from left to right.

SECURITY THREAD - For the P100, P200, P500, and P1,000 banknotes, the windowed
security thread (WST) which runs vertically across the note shows movements of
designs and color when viewed at different angles.

These threads adopt an indigenous weave design and bears the alphanumeric
denominational value and "BSP" text in repeated series.

For the P1,000 note, the width of the thread has been increased to 5 millimeters from 4
millimeters. The width for the other denominations was retained at 4 millimeters.

PORTRAT -appears life-like. The eyes "sparkle". Shading is formed by the fine lines that
give the portrait a characteristic facial expression which is extremely difficult to
replicate.

SERIAL NUMBER-Composed of 1 or 2 prefix letters and 6 or 7 digits. The letters and

numerals are uniform in size and thickness, evenly spaced and well-aligned; they glow
under ultra-violet light A banknote with six "0" digit serial number is a specimen note
and not a legal tender.
VIGNETTE- The lines and dashes composing the vignette are fine, distinct and sharp;
the varying color gives a vivid look to the picture that makes it "stand out" of the paper.

MICROPRINTING Verify under the lens the presence of the microprinting on the
denominations 50's, 100's, 200's, 500 and 1000-Microprinting are the minute and finely
printed words "Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas or "Central Bank ofthe Philippines" located at
the face or back of the note that are clearly printed and readable.

CONCEALED VALUE - Check the concealed value on the 500-peso denomination-This

concealed value is located at the lower left comer of the face of the note and is
recognizable when the note is held at eye level.

OPTICALLY VARIABLE INK-Check the optically variable ink on the 1000-peso

denomination-It changes color from green to blue or blue to green when the note is
held at different angles.

PERTINENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF

THE CURRENCY

1. ARTICLE 163, RPC. Making and importing and uttering (issuing or circulating) false
coins.

PERTINENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF

THE CURRENCY

2. ARTICLE 166, RPC. Forging treasury or bank notes or other documents payable to
bearer; importing, and uttering (issuing or circulating) such false or forged notes and
documents.

3. ARTICLE 168, RPC. IIlegal possession and use of false treasury or bank notes and
other instruments of credit.

4. ARTICLE 176, RPC. Manufacturing and possession of instrument or implements for

falsification.

S. PD 247-defacement, mutilation, tearing, burning or destruction of CENTRAL BANK

(BSP) notes and coins.

5. CHAPTER II, CIRCULAR 61, SERIES OF 1995. Reproduction and/or use of facsimile of
legal tender Philippine currency coins.

IV. CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUINE AND COUNTERFEIT PAPER NOTE BILL

 GENUINE COUNTERFEIT
A. MAIN PRINT
1. The fingers will hardly feel the main
prints of the front and back even on new
1. The fingers will already feel the main notes.
print on the front and back on fairly new
notes. 2. This is brought about by offset print the
most common process employed by
2. This is due to the measurable thickness counterfeiters.
of the ink deposited on the paper which
gives the prints an embossed effect. 3. The prints are mere stains on the
coating of the sensitized paper which is
glossy.
B. PORTRAIT
1. It appears dead

2. The eyes do not sparkle

1. Appears life-like
3. It appears blurred, dull, smudgy and
2. The eyes sparkle poorly

3. The tiny dots and lines (vignette) 4, Hair is lifelesss

forming the details of the face, hair, etc.
are clear, sharp and well defined. 5. The face and/or forehead are often
naturally white or pale due to absence of
4. Each portrait stands out distinctly most of the details.
from background. This is noticeable along
the shoulders. 6. The concentric lines depicting the eyes
often merged into solid printed areas.
5. The background is composed of
multi-colored fine pattern of lines in 7. The background often blends with the
varying tones and shades interfacing with portrait and is usually "scratchy"
each other. These shadings or toning are
intricately printed in such a way that the 8. The lines are thick with rough edges.
contrast or shifting of colors creates the
impression of life and vividness to the 9. The multi-colored prints on genuine
notes. notes are extremely difficult to duplicate
and as a result, counterfeit notes are
usually off color & not of the right shade or
tone.
C. WATERMARK
1. The watermark underneath the security 1. This is imitated by printing white ink or
lacework on the right hand side of the note dry block on the finished paper.
is the same on the colored portrait.
2. Sometimes wax or other oily medium is
2. The design is placed by means of dandy stamped to give transparency to the
roll during the manufacture of the paper portion where the designing appears.

3. Sharp details of the outline of the light & 3. Printed outline is placed on the inner
shadow effect are dissembled when sheet where merely a paper cut out is
viewed with the aid of transmitted light. placed inside. As a result course or harsh
and occasional irregular lines & sometimes
opaque areas are very obvious.,
D. METALLIC THREAD
1. Is a special thread placed vertically on
1. Counterfeit by means of printing on the
the paper during manufacture.
back of the note, on the inner side of the
paper, insertion of twin thread or simply
2. On the surface of the paper where this
folding the note vertically where the thread
thread is located are patterns of short
appears on the genuine bill.
vertical lines.
E. SECURITY FIBER
1. These fibers are scattered on the
surface of the paper (front back) at random
On the counterfeit, it is simulated by
and can be readily picked off by means of
printed lines, cannot be picked off, but can
any pointed instrument.
be easily erased with ordinary rubber or by
agitating with wet fingers.
2. The colors of these fibers are red and
blue.
F. SERIAL NUMBERS
1. On counterfeit, letters & numbers are
1. The prefix letters & numbers (Six of
poorly printed. They are usually of different
them except on replacement note) are
style.
clearly printed.
2. Most often, they are evenly spaced &
2. They have peculiar style & are uniform in
poorly aligned.
size and thickness.
3. The numbers are too big or too small,
3. Spacing of the numbers is uniform &
too thick or too thin & in certain cases
alignment is even.
shaded on the curves.
G. VIGNETTE
1. The lines and dots composing the
1. On the counterfeit usually dull and
vignettes are fine, distinct and sharp.
poorly printed.
2. The varying color tone gives a bold
look to the pictures that makes it stands 2. It appears are dirty.
out of the paper.
3. The lines are comparatively thicker
with rough edges.

4. There is no variation in color tone so

that the pictures areas flat.
H. CLEARNESS OF PRINT
1. It is dirty due to the sputtering of ink
1. The registry of the different printed
on the interior area. Over-inked areas are
features is perfect. The lines are very clear
visible instantly. The shadings and
and sharp. There are no burns clinging to
ornamentations of the letters and figures
the sides.
are thick and usually merged.