10 Pound Sterling

Once used by the largest empire in the world and being the oldest continuously used currency in the world, it is safe to say that the pound sterling, the currency of the United Kingdom, is of great significance in our global economy. In fact, it is the target of many counterfeiting operations, or attempts by criminals to print fake copies. Thus, the most unique aspect of the pound sterling is revealed in how the Bank of England has retaliated against such operations, that being its numerous security features.

Most banknotes you can find around the world today are made from cotton and linen paper. However, the tenner (as it is informally known in the UK) is made using polymer technology pioneered by Australia in the 1980s. Not only does this mean that it has much better resistance to tears and other damage that may occur during its circulation in the economy, it also means more advanced security measures can be employed.

The most obvious of these measures are the clear window on the left side of the note that features the now deceased Queen Elizabeth II and the holographic patches at the top and bottom of the window that show the crown and the denomination (value) respectively. However, there are also subtler details such as micro-printed text only readable under a microscope, only readable under UV light, and Omron rings on the far left side to prevent the banknote from being scanned using a computer.