On the 22nd August 2013 the Bank of Mauritius (BOM) launched three new polymer banknotes.
The RS25, RS50 and RS500 all feature similar designs to their previous paper versions, but include a variety of new polymer specific security features:
- Transparent window, showing an image of a dodo
- Shadow image (the polymer note equivalent of a watermark)
- Vision impaired feature (Domino) on the Rs25 and Rs50 polymer banknote
- Fluorescent feature
- Raised printing – tactility
- Microletters/Microline (viewable through a magnifying glass)
- Unique numbering
- Latent image
- Colour shifting ink
Polymer banknotes are considered to have increased durability, with a reduction of wear and soiling compared to paper banknotes. The RS25 and RS50 banknotes use Innovia Security’s “Guardian” polymer substrate and the RS500 uses De La Rue’s polymer substrate “SafeGuard” (previously known as FlexyCoin).
The polymer banknotes enter circulation alongside the existing paper banknotes (last design issued in 1999), with no date having yet been announced as to when the paper banknotes will be withdrawn.
For further information regarding the new polymer banknotes see the Bank of Mauritius’ public information posters or their Frequently Asked Questions
