Specimen Currency Of India - Part 3

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This article is written as 3 part series.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3



YV Reddy - The 2005 Gandhi Series
Just 2 years after the Gandhi Series was introduced it underwent major security improvements with the overall design being same. There was the introduction of Year at the back of notes to cater to the increased printing and ensure unique notes. This [Year of printing at back] was adopted for Higher value notes of denomination Rs 1000, Rs 500, Rs 100 and Rs 50 from the year 2005. On the Rs 20 and Rs 10 it was adopted from the year 2006. On Rs 5 it was adopted during the tenor of D Subba Rao in the year 2009.

The key improvements
1. See Through Register on the middle left side that shows the complete number when held to light.
2. Use of macro lettering

The 2008 Series
Some minor security improvements were made with the notes released under the Governor D Subba Rao.

Security Features Changes to Design:
Introduction of Telescopic numbering, Bleed lines for higher denomination. Read the RBI Press Release here and here.

Introduction of Numbered Specimen.
In past the specimen were not numbered. This resulted in the notes being difficult to account for and would find their way out into the market. RBI has now started numbering the Specimen notes so that it can keep a track of when specimen was issued to which unit and in case it comes out in the market, it can find out where the leak was.

New Designs introduced in Nov 2016 during RBI Governor Urjit Patel

Rs 500 New Design Specimen:
The new Rs 500 notes planned to be introduced have a very fresh design. Gandhi still is on the front, however the theme is quite different. The back is image of Red Fort. The security features of telescopic numbering continues. The design for the first time has the amount in Hindi numerals. Similarly the Rs 2000 notes planned to be introduced have Mars Orbiter or Mangal Yan on the back. The notes also have the logo of swach bharat.
For more detailed aspect of the design, refer to this post

Rs 2000 New Denomination Notes
Introduced for the first time in this denomination, the notes are a very fresh design. Gandhi still is on the front, however the theme is quite different. The back has an image of Mars Orbiter or Mangal Yan . The security features of telescopic numbering continues. The design for the first time has the amount in Hindi numerals. The notes also have the logo of swach bharat.
For more detailed aspect of the design refer to this post

Modification of Rs 20 Design:

The design and security features of these banknotes to be issued now is similar to the 20 banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi Series- 2005 issued earlier, except the following –

Obverse

Ascending font: The numerals in both the number panels will be in ascending size from left to right while the first three alpha-numeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size.

Intaglio printing: The numeral “20”, RBI seal, Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait, RBI legend, Guarantee and promise clause, Governor’s signature, Ashoka Pillar emblem which were hitherto printed in intaglio (raised printing) are now being printed in offset (without any raised printing). Further, rectangular identification mark on the left of the banknote has been removed.

Colour: While there is no change in the colour at the reverse, the colour at the obverse is lighter (due to removal of intaglio printing).

Latent Image: The vertical band on the right side of the Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait hitherto contained a latent image showing the denominational numeral “20”.The latent image was visible only when the banknote was held horizontally at eye level. This feature is no longer present.

Reverse

There is no change in the reverse of the banknote.

Modification of Rs 50 Design:

The design and security features of these banknotes will be similar to the banknotes of 50 denomination with the ascending font of numerals in both the number panels issued earlier in Mahatma Gandhi Series- 2005, except the following:

Obverse

Intaglio printing: The numeral ‘50’, RBI seal, Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait, RBI legend, Guarantee and promise clause, Governor’s signature, Ashoka Pillar emblem which were hitherto printed in intaglio (raised printing) are now being printed in offset (without any raised printing). Further, square-shaped identification mark on the left of the banknote has been removed.

Colour: While there is no change in the colour at the reverse, the colour at the obverse is lighter (due to removal of intaglio printing).

Latent Image: The vertical band on the right side of the Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait hitherto contained a latent image showing the denominational numeral ’50’. The latent image was visible only when the banknote was held horizontally at eye level. This feature is no longer present.

Reverse

There is no change in the reverse of the banknote.

18-Aug-2017: New Rs 50 Note.
After less than year of brief modification, the Rs 50 note was completely redesigned in line with the new Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes.
Obverse (Front)
1. See through register with denominational numeral 50,
2. Denominational numeral ५० in Devnagari,
3. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the centre,
4. Micro letters ‘RBI’, ‘भारत’, ‘INDIA’ and ‘50’,
5. Windowed demetalised security thread with inscriptions ‘भारत’ and RBI,
6. Guarantee Clause, Governor’s signature with Promise Clause and RBI emblem towards right of Mahatma Gandhi portrait,
7. Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right,
8. Mahatma Gandhi portrait and electrotype (50) watermarks,
9. Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on the top left side and bottom right side.
Reverse (Back)
10. Year of printing of the note on the left,
11. Swachh Bharat logo with slogan,
12. Language panel,
13. Motif of Hampi with Chariot,
14. Denominational numeral ५० in Devnagari.
Dimension of the banknote will be 66 mm x 135 mm.

24-Aug-2017: New Denomination Rs 200 Note.
After more than 12 years, a Rs 200 note was introducted. A first denomination, this seems in line with Government desire of following 1,2,5,10 series. The design is in line with already existing notes of Rs 50, Rs 500 and Rs 2000. How convinient this note will be is to be seen, if we take the Rs 20 note, this is hardly seen and is not much in circulation.

Obverse (Front)
1. See through register with denominational numeral 200
2. Latent image with denominational numeral 200
3. Denominational numeral २०० in Devnagari
4. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the centre
5. Micro letters ‘RBI’, ‘भारत’, ‘India’ and ‘200’
6. Windowed security thread with inscriptions ‘भारत’ and RBI with colour shift. Colour of the thread changes from green to blue when the note is tilted
7. Guarantee Clause, Governor’s signature with Promise Clause and RBI emblem towards right of Mahatma Gandhi portrait
8. Denominational numeral with Rupee Symbol, ₹ 200 in colour changing ink (green to blue) on bottom right
9. Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right
10. Mahatma Gandhi portrait and electrotype (200) watermarks
11. Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on the top left side and bottom right side
12. For visually impaired
Intaglio or raised printing of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem, raised Identification mark H with micro-text ₹ 200, four angular bleed lines with two circles in between the lines both on the right and left sides

Reverse (Back)
13. Year of printing of the note on the left
14. Swachh Bharat logo with slogan
15. Language panel
16. Motif of Sanchi Stupa
17. Denominational numeral २०० in Devnagari
Dimension
18. Dimension of the banknote will be 66 mm × 146 mm