banknote

Governments the world over through their central or reserve banks occasionally change or makeover the designs of their currencies for different reasons. This may be due to political changes or economic conditions that necessitate such alterations. Regardless of what the cause is, the changes are enough to gain the attention of any currency collector. The past few years have been full of currency makeovers in various countries, and 2016 has been no different.

Australian $5 Note Makeover

The $5 note is one of the most storied currencies in Australia. Its first generation was printed in 1967 and underwent multiple changes that culminated with the introduction of polymer notes in 1992. Since then it has received several makeovers, including a special 2001 edition makeover in commemoration of 100 years of the federation. The Reserve Bank of Australia recently introduced a new design that is set to replace the one that has been in use for close to two decades now. In the new note, Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait is retained with the addition of elements depicting native birds and Australian wattles. The bank has also stated that it has incorporated new security features such as the top-to-bottom window. It is expected that the new design will enhance not only the look but also the security of the notes.

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Indian Rs 100 Note

The Indian Reserve Bank is always looking for new ways to enhance its currencies. That is why earlier in the year it put into circulation new generations of currencies in different denominations. One of these is the 100 Rupee note which features a new design. The color scheme remains the same alongside the portrait of nationalist Mahatma Gandhi. One of the significant changes is the introduction of an ascending numbering format on the top right as well as the bottom left panels.

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Indian Rs 500 Note

This is the other Indian currency alongside the Rs 100 and Rs 1000 notes that has received a facelift this year. The Reserve Bank of India has made these changes with the objective of enhancing their security and making it easier for the visually impaired to identify them. Even though most of the features of the previous generation have been retained, there are three major additions. The new numbering pattern consists of numerals that ascend in size rightwards. It also features a bigger circular identification mark alongside five angular bleed lines at the right and left ends on the front side of the note.

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Swedish 50 Kronor Note

Since late 2015, the Swedish Government has been rolling out new notes and coins to replace the currencies that were currently in use. Riksbank, Sweden’s central bank, states that the makeover was necessitated by the need for security updates given that the current set was first minted/printed some 25 years ago. They will be rendered obsolete by mid-2017, by which time over 2 billion coins and 300 million notes will have been replaced. The face of legendary Swedish composer, singer, artist, and author Evert Taube graces the front side of the bold, entirely new 50 Kronor design. He replaces opera singer Jenny Lind, who was featured in the previous layout.

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100 Chinese Yuan

The People’s Republic of China has through its central bank gave a radical makeover to its largest denomination. In a bid to outsmart counterfeiters, the manufacturing powerhouse has changed all the features on the old 100 Yuan note virtually with newer ones that began circulation in the last quarter of 2015. The only feature that has been retained from the previous edition is the image of Chairman Mao Ze Dong, which is included on the front side. The blue and purple hues have been replaced with a pink color scheme while the façade of a Chinese monument is printed in place of the mountains in the earlier edition of the note.

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