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: Security Writing
The words "TEN" and the number "10" are visible on the front and back of the note running vertically along parts of the edge of the polymer window.
Look: See Through
There is a clear polymer window on the left of the note that runs vertically when viewed from the front. The Spark ® Orbital™ image of the Royal Bank of Scotland logo appears towards the top of the window.
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 horizontal line at the top edge of the portrait reads 'ROYALBANKOFSCOTLAND'.
- The words and numerical value 'TEN10' and '10' appear repeatedly in sections of the background image and shading.
Look: Serial Numbers
Each Note has a unique serial number which is printed twice on the front of the note, horizontally on the lower right and vertically on the upper left. Serial numbers consist of two letters followed by six numbers. Both serial numbers will fluoresce under Ultra Violet Light.
Look: Denomination Numerals
The number '10' accompanied by a '£' sign appears vertically in the top left and horizontally in the top right on the front of the note.
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
Two arrangements of four dots in square formation can be found in the bottom left corner of the note, this will enable 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 along:
- The "£10" in the top left corner
- The Royal Bank of Scotland name and logo and all writing including signatures
- The portrait of Mary Somerville
- The background poetry
Feel: Embossed Numeral
You will see a small number 10 embossed into the clear window. You can also feel this with your fingertips.
Tilt: Iridescence
There is a shiny band of coloured iridescent ink which can be clearly seen when you move the note around. The band runs from the left of the note, across the window to the portrait; a small section of band is also visible on the right-hand edge of the note.
Tilt: Spark® Orbital™
The Royal Bank of Scotland logo set over the transparent polymer window is printed in shiny metallic ink which changes colour from gold to green 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 towards the top left-hand corner of the portrait box that will fluoresce, within the block you will see the outline of an otter.
- In the bottom left corner of the note, an image of 5 Midges with their wings outstretched forming a pentagon with the number 10 in the middle.
- In the bottom left corner of the portrait box, you will also see a geometric symbol.
- Both serial numbers will also fluoresce.
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: See Through
There is a clear polymer window on the right of the note that runs vertically when viewed from the back. Part of the Spark ® Orbital™ image of the Royal Bank of Scotland logo can be seen through the window.
Look: Microprinting
On the back of the note the "10" is used repeatedly in sections of the background shading and is also present on the nose of both Otters.
Look: Denomination Numerals
On the back of the note the number '10' accompanied by a '£' sign appears vertically in the top right and bottom left corners of the note.
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 two Otters and background imagery
- The numerical value at the top right of the note
- The Royal Bank of Scotland name and logo and all writing including poetry
Tilt: Iridescence
When viewed from the back, part of the Iridescent band can be seen through the clear window.
Tilt: Spark® Orbital™
When the note is viewed from the back the Spark ® Orbital™ 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 you will see hidden lines of poetry written appear between the Otters.
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 are the bubbles surrounding the 2 Otters.
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