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To confirm that a £20 banknote is genuine, look at it closely and check the following 8 features described below:
20 Great British Pound- Front
20 Great British Pound- Back
1. Check the watermark: Hold the note up to the light and you will see an image of the Queen’s portrait together with a ‘£20’ which is brighter than the surrounding paper.
2. Check the holographic strip: The strip on the note has a number of foil patches along its length which contain alternating holographic images. The positioning of the patches varies along the strip. When the note is tilted, one hologram shows a multi-coloured image of Adam Smith, the other flips between a multi-coloured £ symbol and the number 20. The number 20 is also embossed on the strip and is positioned in the same place on every note – just to the right of the signature of the Chief Cashier
3. Check the paper and the raised print: The note is printed on special paper that gives it its unique feel. By running your finger across the front of the note you can feel raised print in areas such as the words ‘Bank of England’ and in the bottom right corner, around the number 20.
4. Check the ultra-violet features: If you look at the front of the note under a good quality ultra-violet light the number 20 appears in bright red and green. Randomly spread bright red and green flecks are also visible on both the front and back of the note. The remainder of the note appears dull in contrast.
5. Check the metallic thread. There is a metallic thread embedded in every paper banknote. This appears as silver dashes on the back of the note. If you hold the note up to the light the metallic thread will appear as a continuous dark line.
6. Check the print quality: The printed lines and colours on the note are sharp, clear and free from smudges or blurred edges.
7. Check the microlettering: Using a magnifying glass, look closely at the lettering beneath the Queen’s portrait on the note – you will see the value of the note written in small letters and numbers.
8. Check the see-through register: Hold the note up to the light and you will see coloured irregular shapes printed on the front and back that combine to form the £ symbol.
For an interactive guide the security features of current Bank of England banknotes, free online training is available on the Bank of England website http://www.bankofengland.education/takeacloserlook/
