The Central Bank of Macedonia has begun circulating polymer versions of its lowest two banknote denominations, the 10 and 50 denar notes.
Macedonia’s two lowest value banknote denominations have been upgraded from traditional cotton paper substrate to polymer. The Central Bank’s aim is to reduce long-term banknote production and processing costs through increased banknote durability.
The new polymer notes were issued yesterday, the 15 May 2018. Their cotton substrate predecessors, first issued in 1996, were instantly withdrawn – those wishing to exchange the old versions of their banknotes can only do so at local banks.
The polymer banknotes continue to use the same design as before but now contain polymer specific security features including a clear window and a tactile symbol consisting of raised dots to assist those with visual impairments to identify the banknotes’ denomination. The notes also include a pseudo security thread, micro text, hidden shadow images and ultraviolet (UV) features.
The Central Bank of Macedonia has yet to present the polymer banknotes on its website.
Images of the paper 10 and 50 denar banknotes first issued in 1996:
