Caribbean Guilder Banknotes

The advancing counterfeiting technology prompted for an added number of security features. In this improved 1998 Netherlands Antillean guilder series, a number of new features have been introduced while trying to maintain - as much as possible - the original design. The 1998 Netherlands Antillean banknote series consists of the 10 (hummingbird), 25 (flamingo), 50 (refous-collared sparrow) and 100 guilder (bananaquit) bills.

The 5 guilder (oriole) and 250 guilder (Caribbean mockingbird) bills were discontinued in the 1998 Netherlands Antillean series. The 5 guilder bill is replaced by an economically more justifiable coin, while the 250 guilder bill is discontinued since is is not used widely enough in Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The colors of the bank-notes have been carefully chosen to ensure a clear difference between the denominations. The dimensions of the banknotes have remained fixed at 147 x 66 mm.

Security features: What to look for

A raised, tactile ink layer is incorporated in several parts of the front of the bill, such as the denomination figures, the texts, the bird and the mark for the visually handicapped.

Pearl-like dots (called 'planchettes') change color when observed under varying angles. They remain dull on a copy.

The shaded watermark can be recognized by the graduate change of lighter and darker tints when held up against the light.

Besides the fine black fibers on front and back, some luminescent fibers are visible under ultraviolet light, too.The position of the fibers is different on every bill.

The letters N and A are perfectly aligned. This can be seen when holding the bill up to the light. On counterfeit bills the letters rarely match properly.

The front side is imprinted with a pearly ink that gives an iridescent effect. Under angled light a shiny gold-colored pattern becomes visible.

The gold-colored foil is printed over with black and colored patterns. The foil turns out black on color copies.

Most people can read the small print with the naked eye. Others may need a magnifying glass. In counterfeit bills the smallest print is usually illegible.