Don’t be deceived! Colombian banknotes are equipped with high-tech security features

Some accounts in social networks publish information about a possible counterfeit of the COP100,000 banknote, identified with the series AA42661883. However, Banco de la República (the Central Bank of Colombia) informs that, within the framework of its processes with cash nationwide, no counterfeit piece of the COP100,000 denomination with the series AA42661883 has been identified.

We insist on the importance of validating the authenticity of our monetary species and thus avoiding being a victim of counterfeiting. The new family of Colombian Banknotes shares the same security technology supported by several elements of easy verification; some of them are: the security thread, the watermark, the matching images, and the shifting-color image when tilting the note back and forth.

Look, feel. hold to light, tilt, and check! These are the five keys to recognize the authenticity of Colombian banknotes:

• Look: observe the images and colors of the banknote.
• Feel: feel the high relief on some images and texts.
• Hold to light: hold the banknote up to the light and discover images.
• Tilt: observe the shifting-color and movement effects when tilting the banknote back and forth.
• Check: observe fluorescence using ultraviolet light lamps and check micro texts using a magnifying glass

The 100 thousand Colombian pesos banknote, which has been in circulation since 31 March 2016, has features that allow its verification: its dimensions: 66 mm x 153 mm, green as the predominant color, the image of President Carlos Lleras Restrepo next to the barranquero bird, and the sietecueros flower on the obverse. The reverse highlights the Cocora Valley in Quindío, and the wax palm, our national tree.