The South African Reserve Bank is introducing upgraded banknotes and coins from 4 May to combat counterfeiting and to stay abreast of advances in technology.
The new currency has enhanced security features and new designs, as well as specially introduced “look” and “feel” features. Colours have been subtly enhanced to improve visual differentiation between denominations to cater for the partially sighted. A colour-changing ink with a “spin circle” feature is incorporated in the big-five animal on each note. A new watermark depicts the big-five animals unique to each denomination, and the preamble to South Africa’s constitution is featured to the left and right of the main portrait in micro-lettering.