This follows the SARBs decision last month to withdraw the old series R200 bank notes, following a proliferation of high quality counterfeits forcing the bank to introduce a new notes with the new key security features that the bank says will make counterfeiting difficult. The SARB that oversees Africas biggest financial sector has a family of five banknotes, with the R200 note being the highest denomination.
The SARB, which set a May 31 deadline for recalled old notes to be exchanged at commercial banks, announced last Friday that those people who missed the deadline should exchange them at one of the central banks six branches scattered across South Africa or at its headquarters in Pretoria.
The South African Reserve Bank has branches in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. The bank has also produced pamphlets showing the security features on the new R200 note to help visitors coming to the World Cup identify genuine money from counterfeit notes.
Some of the key features of South Africa s upgraded banknotes:
Banknote Paper
The special quality of banknote paper and the raised print give it a distinct feel. Unlike normal paper, banknotes have a distinct crackling sound when handled.
Coat of Arms
The South African Coat of Arms is used prominently in the front top left corner, in the gold shimmering band on the back, and in the silver shining strip in the security thread of the R200 banknotes.
Watermark
The watermark includes the notes value number. When the banknote is held up to the light the watermark and the value number are visible, with the light shining through.
Windowed security thread
On the R200 banknotes, the silver shining strip security thread is 4 mm wide. The words SARB and RAND and the notes value number appear when held up to the light and a Coat of Arms appears in the thread when tilted.
Colour changing ink
On the R200 banknotes, the notes value number on the front bottom right is printed in ink that changes colour when you tilt the note.
Diamond shapes
There are five diamond shapes with a raised feel on the front of the R200 banknote that assists the blind.
Gold shimmering band
This is a very prominent feature, in gold colour on the back of all banknotes. When tilted, the Coat of Arms and the banknotes value number appear.
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