Counterfeit Bahamian Banknotes Are in Circulation
The Abaconian - 15 August 2002

The Central Bank of The Bahamas has warned the public that new counterfeit versions of the B$100 and B$50 banknotes are in circulation. The serial numbers of the detected counterfeit banknotes are

B$100 - F199578 and H310631

B$50 - G210420.

Variations of these numbers are possible and entirely different serial numbers may exist. It seems that lower denomination banknotes such as B$1 and B$10 have been overprinted with the designs of higher denominations such as B$50 and B$100.

"This resulted in the genuine security features being present in the observed counterfeit banknotes. A genuine watermark, and a genuine windowed security thread (weaving in and out of the paper) or a genuine embedded security thread (fully embedded in the paper)," the Central Bank said.

The Central Bank said the printings on the counterfeit banknotes are of poor quality, as the decorative images are blurry and the raised feeling usually found on the printing of genuine banknotes is missing. Missing are the phosphorescent denomination numerals which show fluoresce yellow when viewed under black fluorescent light. Missing is the image feature located in the scroll work to the left of the portrait, which causes the numerals 100 or 50 to appear and disappear when the note is tilted back and forth at eye level. The public is advised to be extremely cautious when accepting all Bahamas banknotes, as counterfeit B$10 and B$20 banknotes bearing various serial numbers have also been seen.

If anyone suspects a counterfeit banknote, contact the police.