SRI LANKAN BANKNOTE ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT FEATURES

UV printing or images that are only visible under Ultra Violet illumination is a security feature on modern currency notes, which most never see. They are seen by bankers and shopkeepers who check currency for authenticity. Even collectors of currency notes, have not paid much attention to these features, which are rarely documented in catalogues.

A few years ago you could only see it under UV illumination, as neither photographic film nor digital cameras were sensitive enough to capture a clear image of what is seen. However some digital cameras now have the sensitivity to record what is seen.

UV printing first appeared on Sri Lanka currency in December 1971 for a new highest denomination Rs.100 note with the bust of SWRD Bandaranaike, replacing the notes of 1970 issued just after demonetization. This was the only note with UV printing issued before the Republican Constitution of May 22,1972. The corresponding Rs. 50 note was issued in December 1972.

Initially UV printing consisted of, on the front, the outline of the flag Lion with Sword in raised right paw, of different sizes and the numeric denomination. On the back, a few wide vertical bands highlighting background micro-printing on currency notes were seen.

The lower denomination of Rs. 2, Rs. 5 and Rs. 10 with the Polonnaruwa stone sculpture popularly identified as King Parakarama Bahu got UV printing only in 1974-08-27. Signatures, date and serial number, were also printed in UV. All subsequent issues numbering about 50 types in total, have had some form of UV printing.

UV images were photographed at about 300 dpi with a Cannon Power Shot SX620 HS Full HD 20.2 Mega Pixel using 3 MB (2048×1536) mounted on a tripod and a UV lightbox, mounted with two 8W 365nm wavelength 288mm long Fluorescent tubes.

To read the complete article, see:
Sri Lankan currency under a different light (http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180916/plus/sri-lankan-currency-under-a-different-light-311374.html)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web