The Bank of Mauritius is introducing polymer banknotes in denominations of 100, 200, and 1,000 rupees. The first polymer version of these denominations, the Rs 1,000, was put into circulation on December 2, 2024. The remaining denominations to switch to polymer—Rs 100 and Rs 200—will be issued in 2025.
The Bank of Mauritius began its transition to polymer based banknotes in 2013, when it issued Rs25, Rs50, and Rs500 notes printed on a polymer substrate. The other denominations of Rs 100, 200, 1,000 continued circulating on cotton substrates. The issuance of the latter three denominations on polymer will complete the conversion of all of the banknotes to the new substrate.
A closer look at the Rs1000 polymer banknote
The visual design of the Rs1000 polymer banknote is almost identical to the version printed on paper. It is printed on a GUARDIAN™ polymer substrate and is coated on both sides with Securicoat™, a first level security feature consisting of two printed varnishes, matte and glossy. In the case of the Rs1000 note, the matte varnish is applied to the bottom and the glossy varnish to the superimposed motif.
The new 1,000 rupees polymer banknote was put into circulation on December 2, 2024.
Several security features have been built into the RS1000 polymer banknote to deter counterfeiting. These features include:
- A transparent window showing the image of the dodo with a SPARK Flow® PRIME feature that displays three visual characteristics with optical brightness, colour shift gold to green, and dynamic light effects
- Numbers printed in magnetic ink that fluoresce under ultraviolet light
- Swing™ features printed with two iridescent inks, which change to a different color when viewed in reflection, and which are inverted when viewed in transparency.
Paper and polymer banknotes will co-exist in circulation
The new polymer banknotes will circulate alongside the existing paper banknotes. Both paper and polymer versions of the notes will be accepted as legal tender. The Bank of Mauritius is working with banks and cash handlers to facilitate a smooth transition to the new banknotes.
Sources/References:
Bank of Mauritius
Banknote Industry News
MRI Bankers’ Guide to Foreign Currency
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