Quick questions on Polymer banknotes: HSC Investigating Science Module 6

In 1966 Australia switched from pounds to dollars. By 1967 high-quality forgeries of the new ten-dollar note were already in circulation, produced using developments in colour photocopying. The Reserve Bank asked CSIRO in 1968 to develop a banknote that would be much harder to counterfeit.

CSIRO chemist David Solomon led the team developing biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films.

Polymer banknotes carry multiple anti-counterfeiting features layered together.

Over 35 countries now use polymer banknotes, including:

Counterfeiting. Australian counterfeit rates have remained among the lowest globally. In 2023 the rate was approximately 8 counterfeits per million notes in circulation, compared with higher rates in many paper-currency economies.

1. A materials science problem solved by polymer chemistry. The science underpins the engineering. 2. An Australian-led innovation that became a global standard.

A clear region in the note that paper cannot reproduce. The window often contains a holographic foil image or printed micro-detail.

Text printed at scales below the resolution of consumer scanners and printers (about 0.2 mm or smaller).

Raised marks felt by visually impaired users; on the current series, these encode the denomination.

Ink that changes colour depending on viewing angle.

Patterns invisible in ordinary light but visible under UV.

Engraved-plate printing creates raised ink relief that can be felt and that resists reproduction.

Microscopic patterns that scanners reproduce poorly.

Australian counterfeit rates have remained among the lowest globally. In 2023 the rate was approximately 8 counterfeits per million notes in circulation, compared with higher rates in many paper-currency economies.

Polymer notes last three to four times longer than paper. The Reserve Bank reports that polymer note lifespan is approximately five years compared with under two years for paper.