Malaysia's New Design RM50 Banknote

Text is from Bank Negara Malaysia
dated 21 December 2007

Bank Negara Malaysia Issues New Design for RM50 Banknote to Commemorate Malaysia's 50th Anniversary of IndependenceBank Negara Malaysia today announces the issuance of a new design for the RM50 banknote to commemorate Malaysia's 50th Anniversary of Independence. This new design of RM50 banknote is the first denomination of the Fourth Series of Malaysian currency notes which will be replacing the existing series in stages.



The new design RM50 banknote retains the predominant colour of green-blue. The main theme of the design is the National Mission 2020 where the first thrust is "to move the economy up the value chain" which reflects Malaysia's economic transformation to the higher value-added activities in the agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors of the economy.

The dominant intaglio portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Tuanku Muhammad, is retained on the right and the national flower hibiscus is in the centre on the front of the new RM50 banknote. Design patterns from songket weaving, which are in the background and edges of the banknote, are featured to reflect the traditional Malaysian textile handicraft and embroidery.

The first 50 million pieces of the new RM50 banknote features Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj at the historic declaration of Malaya's independence and the logo of the 50th Anniversary of Independence on the reverse side.

Security Features The security features incorporated in the Fourth Series of RM50 banknotes are as follows :

The Watermark Portrait can be recognised by tints that are lighter or darker than the surrounding paper. This watermark portrait which has a three-dimensional effect appears without sharp outlines. At the base of the watermark, the numeral 50 is clearly visible.

The Security Thread is embedded in the paper and appears on the reverse side of the note as a silver coloured dotted line. When the note is held against the light, it is seen as a continuous dark coloured line and the repeated text BNM RM50 can be read. When viewed under ultra-violet light, the thread is seen in various changing colours known as the "rainbow effect".

Micro-Letterings of "BNM RM50" which can be viewed under a magnifying glass.
Invisible Fluorescent Elements can be seen through various elements of the background on the obverse and reverse side of the banknote and will fluoresce in different colours when viewed under ultra-violet light.

Perfect See-Through Register feature where the graphic songket design on the obverse side of the note will register perfectly with the same graphic songket design on the reverse side when it is held against the light.

Multicolour Latent Image of the denomination 50 can be seen when the banknote is tilted slightly and the colour changes when it is rotated.

Holographic Stripe features the denomination 50 and the hibiscus flower, with a multi-coloured pumping and matt-structure effect.

Hidden image with moiré effect where certain areas of the design appearance will change when the banknote is copied.

Members of the public are advised to take note of the security features and design of the new RM50 notes outlined above. The existing series of the RM50 banknotes will continue to be legal tender.

Sale of RM50 banknote with Special Packaging The new RM50 banknote with a special packaging will be available for sale to members of the public. It will be priced at RM60 per set. Twenty thousand (20,000) sets will be available for sale from Wednesday, 26 December 2007 at Bank Negara Malaysia's Head Office, and at Bank Negara Malaysia's branches in Pulau Pinang, Johor Bahru, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. The availability of these banknotes will be on a first come first served basis and will be limited to one set per person.

The new RM50 banknotes without special packaging will be available through commercial banks on 30 January 2008 onwards.