Look: Print Quality
Lines should be sharp and well defined with no blurred edges. Colours should be clear and distinct.
Look: Transmission
As the note is a polymer there is no watermark, however due to the substrate used when the note is held up to the light you should be able to see visible images from the opposite side.
Look: Mask
If you look at the circular area to the left-hand side of the domed roof you will see a thistle pattern but when held up to the light the number 10 appears.
Look: Security Thread
The security thread has been replaced with the words ‘ST’ and ‘KILDA’, visible on the front of the note running vertically behind the large central ‘20’.
Look: See Through
There are 2 clear polymer windows on the note. The 1st is in the centre left of the note when viewed from the front. The image of St Kilda appears within the clear window and the Spark® Orbital™ image of the map of Scotland overlays the top right corner. A larger 2nd window can be found on the right that runs vertically; within the window you will see holograms.
Look: Microprinting
Microprinting features in various locations throughout the note and some examples which you can see using a good quality magnifying glass are given here.
- The vertical line to the left of the portrait reads 'CLYDESDALE BANK PLC'.
- The areas around both £20 values in the lower left and right corners have microprinting which reads 'CLYDESDALEBANKTWENTYPOUNDS'.
- The number '20' is used repeatedly in sections of the background and patterned areas of the note.
Look: Serial Numbers
Each note has a unique serial number which is printed twice on the front of the note, horizontally on the lower left and vertically on the upper right. Serial numbers consist of one letter over two letters followed by six numbers. The vertical numbers are all the same size and will fluoresce under Ultraviolet light, while the horizontal numbers increase in size from left to right.
Look: Denomination Numerals
On the front of the note the number '20' accompanied by a '£' sign appears horizontally in the top and bottom right corners and vertically in the bottom left corner. A large number '20' also appears in the centre of the note just to the left of the portrait and a small ‘20’ can be seen within the clear window.
Feel: Polymer Quality
The note should feel smoother than a paper note, though this will reduce over time. Like paper notes, polymer notes have raised print giving them a tactile quality.
Feel: Tactile Feature
There are three arrangements of four dots in square formation, enabling physical identification for the visually impaired.
Feel: Raised Print
On the front of the note you will feel raised print if you run your finger over:
- The numerical values at the top right and the large ‘20’ in the centre of the note
- The Clydesdale bank name, the words ‘Twenty Pounds Sterling’ and the promise to pay by order of the board
- The portrait of Robert the Bruce
- The Clydesdale Bank logo
Feel: Embossed Numeral
You will see a small number 10 embossed into the large window. You can also feel this with your fingertips.
Tilt: Holographic Foil
On the front of the note within the large clear window you will see Holographic foils of Robert the Bruce, a Spider and a small 20. If you tilt the note back and forward the images will move and their colours change. The holographic foil is visible from the front and back of the note.
Tilt: Spark® OrbitalTM
The map of Scotland which is set over the transparent polymer window is printed in shiny metallic ink which changes colour from purple to gold and can be seen from both sides of the note. You will also see a circular effect as you tilt the note.
Check: Compare
Always compare both sides of a suspect note with another note that you know to be genuine, looking for differences between the two. Make sure you check the size of a suspect note against a known genuine note.
Check: UV Fluorescence
If you place the note under a good quality ULTRA-VIOLET light you will see a solid rectangular block appear above the signature on the front of the note. Within the block you will see the Clydesdale bank logo. The vertical serial number will also fluoresce.
Check: Gemini UV Printing
If you place the note under a good quality ULTRA-VIOLET light, you will see there are areas of the note that appear as a single colour in daylight but fluoresce as two separate colours under ultra-violet light. An example of this is the Clydesdale Bank logo and the words ‘ST’ & ’KILDA’.
Look: Print Quality
Lines should be sharp and well defined with no blurred edges. Colours should be clear and distinct.
Look: Transmission
As the note is a polymer there is no watermark, however due to the substrate used when the note is held up to the light you should be able to see visible images from the opposite side.
Look: Mask
If you look at the circular area to the right-hand side of the domed roof when held up to the light the number 10 in reverse is visible.
Look: Security Thread
Running vertically on the left of the note there is a printed security thread which incorporates the text ‘TWENTY POUNDS’. The thread is visible on both the front and back of the note.
Look: See Through
There are 2 clear polymer windows on the note. The 1st is in the centre right of the note when viewed from the back. The image of St Kilda in reverse appears within the clear window and a section of the Spark® Orbital™ image of the map of Scotland can be seen in the left corner. A larger 2nd window can be found on the left that runs vertically; within the window you will see holograms.
Look: Microprinting
On the back of the note the vertical edge of the central St Kilda image reads ‘STKILDSTKILDA'
The horizontal line under the ‘World Heritage Inscribed’ information reads 'STKILDATWENTYPOUNDS'
Running horizontally along the top edge of the chequered pattern in the top right & left, the words ‘CLYDESDALEBANKPLC’ can be read. The number '20' and letters ‘CB’ are also written repeatedly in the band
Look: Denomination Numerals
On the back of the note the denomination numeral accompanied by a '£' sign appears horizontally in the top right and bottom middle of the note. The number ’20’ also appears within the large clear window.
Feel: Polymer Quality
The note should feel smoother than a paper note, though this will reduce over time. Like paper notes, polymer notes have raised print giving them a tactile quality.
Feel: Raised Print
On the back of the note you will feel raised print if you run your finger over:
- the Vignette of Glenfinnan Viaduct and wording
- the numerical values at the top left and bottom right of the note
- the bank name and logo
- the words "Ten Pounds Sterling"
Feel: Embossed Numeral
You will see a small number 10 in reverse embossed into the large window.
Tilt: Holographic Foil
On the back of the note within the large clear window you will see Holographic foils of Robert the Bruce, a Spider and a small 20. If you tilt the note back and forward the images will move and their colours change. The holographic foil is visible from the front and back of the note.
Tilt: Spark ® Orbital TM
When the note is viewed from the back part of the Spark ® Orbital TM map of Scotland can be viewed through the clear window.
Check: Compare
Always compare both sides of a suspect note with another note that you know to be genuine, looking for differences between the two. Make sure you check the size of a suspect note against a known genuine note.
Check: UV Fluorescence
If you place the note under a good quality ULTRA-VIOLET light part of the Queensferry Crossing image at the bottom edge of the note will fluoresce.
Check: Gemini UV Printing
If you place the note under a good quality ULTRA-VIOLET light you will see there are areas of the note that appear as a single colour in daylight but fluoresce as two separate colours under ultra-violet. An example of this is the single thistle.
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