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Banknotes

How to spot a fake banknote or coin

It's easy to tell if cash is genuine. Learn how with our interactive banknote, video, and downloadable posters and training resources.

Visual: Close up of a hand holding up a New Zealand $50 banknote.

Audio: New Zealand's banknotes are among the most secure in the world. They incorporate state-of-the-art security features that make them more difficult to copy. But how can you be sure that your notes are the real deal? That's where technology comes in.

Visual: The camera zooms in on the holographic window of the $50 note. The person tilts the window up and down – the metallic feature in the window changes colour.

Audio: First, look through the holographic window: the edges of the window should look smooth and you should see the bird's silhouette, a map of New Zealand and a 3-D feature showing the value of the banknote.

Visual: A person runs their finger up and down the note across the words “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Te Pūtea Matua.”

Audio: Then feel the note: you should be able to feel raised ink on the denomination and the letters at the top.

Visual: A person tilts the note from the bottom left hand corner. The colour of the bird’s silhouette changes.

Audio: After that, tilt the note: a bright shining bar should roll across the bird's silhouette on the front and the holographic window's colours should shift and change revealing fine details.

Visual: Person doing a thumbs up, holding the $50 banknote in their other hand.

Audio: Remember, to make sure your banknotes are the genuine article, just Look, Feel and Tilt.

Visual: The words Look, Feel, Tilt appear on screen.

Audio: To find out more about the many security features on our banknotes and what to do if you think you've been given a counterfeit note, visit rbnz.govt.nz.

 

Use our online banknote

New Zealand's banknotes have special security features that make them hard to copy. You can check if a banknote is fake by its look, feel and by tilting it. 

 

Read about each of the security features

The clear hologram window shows the outline of the kōkako, a map of NZ, and a silver fern when tilted. Under the hologram, there is an embossed number - check this shows the correct value. 

You can’t see all of the printing on a New Zealand banknote with the human eye. 

Shine an ultraviolet light on the front of the note, you’ll see a fluorescent green square. It shows the value of the banknote while the rest of the note remains dull.  

Polymer banknotes and their inks are water resistant so don't blotch or run.

Not all the text on a banknote can be read easily. On both the front and back of the note, you can find microprinting - tiny, clearly, defined text.

Use a magnifying glass to check the numerals on the front and back of the note. You should be able to see tiny text showing “RBNZ.” 

Banknotes are made on polymer. They are stronger and have a unique texture which makes them harder to copy. The banknote should feel smooth and be hard to tear. 
On the left hand side on the front of the note, and directly behind on the back, you can see small puzzle pieces. Hold up to the light and the puzzle pieces should combine to show the banknote's value. 
Feel the raised ink by running your fingers over the words “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Te Pūtea Matua” on the front, and the words “New Zealand” and “Aotearoa” on the back.
The small bird on the bottom front left corner has a coloured bar which rolls up and down as you tilt the note back and forth.

Counterfeit coins 

Fake coins are extremely rare, mainly because the work required to forge a coin is hardly worth the small reward. 

All designs on a real coin should be clearly defined.

The coin should make a distinct 'ring' when dropped on a table-top, rather than a 'thud'.

The $1 and $2 coins have special security edging. 

View the security edging on the $1 and $2 coin

What to do if you find a fake banknote or coin

Fake notes in New Zealand are rare because they are easy to spot.

If you see one, politely refuse it if you can.

If you end up with one, put it in an envelope to preserve evidence and tell the Police.

Posters and resources

Download posters on how to spot a fake banknote and factsheets with more information for your business.

Get our campaign resources
Posters and resources