Israel’s New Series of Banknotes to Be Distributed This Week
22.11.2017
The Bank of Israel will be distributing its new C series 20 and 100 NIS banknotes beginning November 23, 2017 via commercial banks, automated banking machines, and the Postal Bank.
To assist the blind and visually impaired, the different bills will differ in length and include intaglios (raised print) of the denomination and a different number of tangible lines at the edge of the bill.
To prevent counterfeiting, the banknotes have numerous different features. For instance, the banknote’s watermark is discemible in the portrait of the personage and its denomination when the banknote is held up to the light. The denomination has tiny holes in it which can be seen when held up to the light. A security thread is embedded in the banknote which appear in the three “windows” on the back of the bill in the light. When tilting the bill, the thread turns from blue to purple.
The new bills have bright colors: 20 NIS banknote is red and the new 200 NIS banknote is orange. There is a 7-mm difference in size between each banknote.
Older banknotes will remain legal tender for a number of years, until they are gradually phased out by the banks. Importers and operators of automatic vending machines have already been provided with advance samples so they can calibrate their machines and adjust them for the new banknotes.
In order to increase the public’s awareness of the security features contained in the banknotes, the Bank of Israel is running a public awareness campaign entitled “It’s easy to check that it’s secure” through media outlets. Announcements and brochures will be distributed in five languages at bank branches, the post office, and through various commercial and public entities.
When the earlier series was issued in 2014 with similar security features, it didn’t stop counterfeiters from producing their first forgery within 2 weeks. Being forewarned is forearmed — learn the banknotes’ signs of authenticity and before accepting a new bill, check that it is genuine. According to Israeli law, if a counterfeit bill is found on a person, it will be taken away and one will not be compensated for his loss.
Economists believe that this will be the last series of Israeli currency to be issued by the Bank of Israel since they expect that in 10-20 years all payments will be performed through smartphones, computers and credit cards and there will be no need for cash.
Further information on the new banknotes can be found on the Bank of Israel’s website: www.newbanknotes.org.il
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To assist the blind and visually impaired, the different bills will differ in length and include intaglios (raised print) of the denomination and a different number of tangible lines at the edge of the bill.
To prevent counterfeiting, the banknotes have numerous different features. For instance, the banknote’s watermark is discemible in the portrait of the personage and its denomination when the banknote is held up to the light. The denomination has tiny holes in it which can be seen when held up to the light. A security thread is embedded in the banknote which appear in the three “windows” on the back of the bill in the light. When tilting the bill, the thread turns from blue to purple.
The new bills have bright colors: 20 NIS banknote is red and the new 200 NIS banknote is orange. There is a 7-mm difference in size between each banknote.
Older banknotes will remain legal tender for a number of years, until they are gradually phased out by the banks. Importers and operators of automatic vending machines have already been provided with advance samples so they can calibrate their machines and adjust them for the new banknotes.
In order to increase the public’s awareness of the security features contained in the banknotes, the Bank of Israel is running a public awareness campaign entitled “It’s easy to check that it’s secure” through media outlets. Announcements and brochures will be distributed in five languages at bank branches, the post office, and through various commercial and public entities.
When the earlier series was issued in 2014 with similar security features, it didn’t stop counterfeiters from producing their first forgery within 2 weeks. Being forewarned is forearmed — learn the banknotes’ signs of authenticity and before accepting a new bill, check that it is genuine. According to Israeli law, if a counterfeit bill is found on a person, it will be taken away and one will not be compensated for his loss.
Economists believe that this will be the last series of Israeli currency to be issued by the Bank of Israel since they expect that in 10-20 years all payments will be performed through smartphones, computers and credit cards and there will be no need for cash.
Further information on the new banknotes can be found on the Bank of Israel’s website: www.newbanknotes.org.il
