The Monetary Authority of Macau (AMCM) announced on Friday the gradual release into general circulation from next year of two new versions of banknotes issued by the Bank of China (BOC) and Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU).
According to an AMCM statement, the new series of banknotes will maintain the current six denominations, namely, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 patacas, consistent with the same horizontal design, overall colour palette and dimensions as the current series of banknotes. The two note-issuing banks have adopted different themes in order to showcase Macau’s diversity to the public.
The statement noted that the new series of banknotes, with a face value of 10 and 20 patacas, are slated to be launched in the first quarter of next year, to be followed by two denominations each year. The statement underlined that current banknotes would remain legal tender even after the new series of banknotes were issued.
In terms of security features for authenticating genuine banknotes, the statement said that eight security features have been adopted, including a windowed security wire and a bright dynamic image, enabling users to confirm “intuitively” the banknotes’ authenticity through their colour changes and dynamic effects, adding that taking into account the needs of people with visual impairments, the accessibility features of tactile lines and braille characters were also added to the new series.
According to the statement, the new series of BOC banknotes adopts the “Southern Lion” as the front design, representing the nation’s traditional Lingnan culture also rooted in Macau, while on the back, as the main illustration, there are different buildings or icons, representing Macau’s historical heritage and the city’s unique attractions. The front of the new series of BNU banknotes illustrates the old and new façade of its headquarters, while the back has been designed based on the theme linked to Macau’s historical maps in different eras, symbolising that BNU has been with Macau on its journey of changes for a long time.
BNU and BOC are Macau’s two note-issuing banks, which began to release their respective banknotes into circulation in 1905 and 1995.
This undated handout photo provided by the Monetary Authority of Macau (AMCM) on Friday shows the new version of banknotes with a face value of 10 and 20 patacas by the Bank of China (BOC) and Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU), which will be issued in the first quarter of next year.
