1. Spotting a fake paper or polymer note
Polymer ₤ 5 and ₤ 10 notes have actually totally replaced paper notes given that 2018, while this year has actually seen the release of polymer ₤ 20 notes into circulation.
All notes will be polymer by the end of 2021, when the Bank of England expects to have actually released a ₤ 50 polymer note.
However with paper notes still in flow and polymer notes having extra safety features to make them more difficult to counterfeit, what should you be looking out for to identify if your money is phony?
First, let's take a look at how to identify a fake paper banknote. If you're particularly thinking about spotting phony plastic notes, scroll straight to point 8.
These are printed on an unique material, so make sure you inspect how the paper feels.
A real banknote has a cloth-like feel, while a phony note will feel more like basic paper.
₤ 50 banknote (Image: Bank of England).
2. Raised print.
Run your finger across the paper note and if it's genuine, you must be able to feel the raised print on areas such as the words 'Bank of England' on the front.
If it's a fake, the note is unlikely to have a textured feel to it and will feel flat all over.
3. Check the metallic thread.
A metallic thread is embedded in every paper banknote.
This looks like silver dashes on the back of paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes (see more information on spotting fake paper ₤ 20 notes on this Bank of England page).
The thread is woven through the paper-- not just printed on-- so when you hold it as much as the light it should appear as a constant dark line.
This appears as intense green dashes on the front of ₤ 50 notes.
Each dash is actually a window which contains images of the '₤' symbol and the number '50'. When the note is tilted from side to side, the images move up and down.
When the note is slanted up and down, the images move from side to side and the number '50' and '₤' symbol swap places.
4. Check the watermark.
If you hold a genuine note approximately the light, you must see a picture of the Queen's portrait.
Nevertheless, if you can still see the watermark when the note is flat and not held up to the light, Buy fake money it's most likely to be a dodgy note.
5. Check the print quality.
The printed lines and colours on genuine notes will be detailed and sharp and complimentary from smudges or blurred edges. So make certain you inspect the information thoroughly.
If the quality is bad or messy, you've got yourself a phony!
6. Examine under ultra-violet light.
This isn't so helpful if you've simply been provided a banknote in a shop, however if you're really determined to learn whether your note is fake or genuine, put it under ultra-violet light.
If it's the genuine deal, its worth will appear in brilliant red and green numbers while the background will be dull in contrast.
The paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes likewise have intense red and green flecks arbitrarily spread over the front and back of the note.
7. Utilize a magnifying glass.
Utilize a magnifying glass to look closely at the lettering underneath the Queen's picture. On a genuine note, ornamental swirls define the value of the note in little letters and numerals.