Seychelles new 50-, 100-, and 500-rupee notes confirmed






According to a press release dated 3 June 2011, the Central Bank of Seychelles issued updated 50-, 100-, and 500-rupee banknotes on 7 June 2011. The new notes have enhanced security features, revised colors, and updated designs.

Each of the three new banknotes has a hologram instead of a foil sailfish which currently appears at upper right front on the existing notes. On the 50-rupee (US$4.10) note, the silver holographic sailfish alternates between the number 50 and an image of the Aldabra rail, a flightless bird. On the 100-rupee (US$8.15) note, the gold holographic sailfish alternates between the number 100 and an image of the Seychelles giant tortoise. On the 500-rupee (US$41) note, the gold holographic sailfish alternates between the number 500 and an image of the Seychelles scops owl.

Additional security upgrades include a 2.5-mm wide fluorescent security thread on the 50-rupee note, a 2.5-mm wide color-shifting security thread on the 100-rupee note, and a 3-mm wide color-shifting security thread on the 500-rupee note. The notes are also protected by De La Rue’s unique Gemini technology that fluoresces under ultraviolet light but appears normal in daylight.

The color schemes of the notes have been revised, with the notes being more green, red, and orange, respectively, than the notes currently in circulation. The new notes also carry the year of printing, as well as the signature of Pierre Laporte, the bank’s current governor. Existing notes remain legal tender and will be removed from circulation as they wear out.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.