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As the polymer notes are
legal tender, they can be used for all cash transactions, including
machines that have been calibrated to accept the notes. The
polymer notes can also be deposited at all commercial banks in
Singapore.
Similarities and Differences
Most of the security
features on the $10 paper notes have been retained in the
polymer notes, and both have a similar look and feel. They have the
following similarities:
-
Portrait of
Singapore's first President, the late Encik Yusof bin Ishak, on
the front, and Sports' motif at the back
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Same colour
(predominantly red)
-
Same size (141 mm x
69 mm)
The main differences are
in the additional security features that are unique to polymer
notes. These are:
-
Two see-through
windows - one on the top-left hand side, and the other at
the bottom-right corner
-
A stylised gold
Singapore Lion symbol with a hidden image, beside the top-left
hand window. An image of the Singapore Arms will appear at
varying angles
-
The security thread
now takes the shape of the Singapore island instead of a
straight line
Please refer to Annex
B for details.
Commemorative Notes
MAS will also issue a
limited edition commemorative $10 polymer note, each over-printed
with the text "Commemorative First Issue by MAS".
Only 10,000 of these notes are printed and they will be sold at $35
each. The public can submit their orders via the mail-order
form found in The Straits Times and Lian He Zao Bao on 4 May 2004,
or they can do so online through the MAS website. More details can
be found on the MAS website and in the press advertisements.
ANNEX A
General Information on
$10 Polymer Notes
Production
The $10 polymer portrait
notes are printed on Guardian® polymer, a type of polypropylene
plastic. The polymer starts as specialised clear plastic film, which
is produced using a unique patented production processes. The film
is not available commercially.
The clear film is coated
with multiple layers of specialised coatings to create the material
on which the notes can be printed. During the coating process an
extensive range of security features are incorporated into the
polymer.
Polymer notes are
printed using three processes:
1. Offset – prints the
background colours and images
2. Intaglio – prints a
heavy ink layer of the main design features
3. Letterpress –
prints the serial number
Polymer notes have an
additional process at the end of printing to provide each note with
a coat of protective varnish.
Handling Tips
• If water is spilt on
a polymer note, wipe it with a piece of cloth or tissue paper.
• If something sticky
is spilt on the note, wash it with soap and cold water.
• If a note is folded
or crumpled, smoothen it by applying light pressure on it on a flat
surface (there is no need to iron it).
Availability and
Acceptance
Banks
The $10 polymer notes
will be available and accepted at branches, selected ATMs and CDMs
of the following banks:
Citibank N.A.
DBS Bank Ltd
The Hongkong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd
Malayan Banking Bhd
Oversea-Chinese Banking
Corporation Ltd
Standard Chartered Bank
United Overseas Bank Ltd
SMRT
The polymer notes will
be accepted by General Ticketing Machines (GTMs) at nine selected
SMRT stations:
Bugis
City Hall
Dhoby Ghaut
Lavender
Orchard
Outram Park
Raffles Place
Somerset
Tanjong Pagar
ANNEX B
Features of the $10
Polymer Notes
The two see-through
clear windows of the note are the most obvious features. They are
very effective against counterfeiting, as they cannot be easily
reproduced using scanners, printers and colour photocopiers.
The six key polymer
security features to look out for are:
1. Complex Clear Window
A complex clear window
with the design of the Singapore Arms on the front top-left corner
2. Hidden Text within
Complex Clear Window
Hidden text
"MAS" would become visible within the complex clear window
when viewed with a point-light source
3. Shadow Image
A shadow image of
President Yusof bin Ishak is clearly visible when viewed against
light
4. Singapore Lion Symbol
with Hidden Text
A stylized Singapore
Lion symbol (gold patch) with the words "TEN DOLLARS". The
image of the Singapore Arms will appear at varying angles
5. Security Thread
A security thread in the
shape of Singapore island
6. Embossed Clear Window
A clear window on the
front bottom-right corner embossed with the number "10" at
the centre and small repetitive patterns at the top and bottom
Source:
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Press Release 30 Apr 2004
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Previous FrontPage Edition 30 Apr 2004
