2. • The days of Canada using paper banknotes (bills) seem to be
numbered. Some of the new polymer banknotes have already
made their way into public circulation, and the rest aren’t too far
behind.
• You can already find $100 polymer bills and $50 polymer bills in
circulation, and in November 2012 the $20 bills will also be part of
the new way. By the end of 2013, both $5 bills and $10 bills will
join the Canadian polymer currency revolution.
• Here is more information about the new Canadian polymer
banknotes:
3. What Are Polymer Bills?
• Polymer is a film that is both smooth and very durable.
The polymer bills are still flimsy like a paper bill, but are
far more difficult to rip or tear. The Bank of Canada
states that polymer bills are also recyclable, and will be
recycled once they are too damaged or worn for
continued circulation.
4. Why Polymer?
• The primary reason that Canada is switching to polymer
banknotes is to stay one step ahead of the
counterfeiters. Currency counterfeiting is a huge
problem all over the world, and by removing the paper
money from circulation and gradually replacing it with
polymer, the Canadian government feels that
counterfeiting will take a serious hit.
• The durability of polymer is also a reason it is going to be
used in the future. Polymer is said to last about 2 ½
times longer than traditional paper bills, which will save
time and money in the future.
5. Look & Feel
• Polymer bills will feel slippery when you first touch them, but as they
circulate that slippery feeling will lessen. After dealing with paper
money for your entire life, it’s easy to feel a little apprehensive about
this ‘plastic’ feel, but like with anything, people will get used to it.
The current paper bills have been used since 1935, so most people
don’t know anything else. The move from $1 and $2 bills to coins
took some getting used to, but everyone has made the transition
smoothly enough.
• Most of the bills will look similarly to the originals, but will have the
slight ‘shine’ that is indicative of the material. As the for the design,
elements of the old bill’s designs are mixed with newer elements to
create a unique look for the new bills. Much of the design elements
of the bills are centered around security.
6. Security
• Since the new polymer banknotes are supposed to
combat counterfeiting, it’s important that they contain
several security features. Some of the security features
you can expect to see include:
– Raised ink
– Metallic pictures and portraits
– Hidden numbers
– Transparent text
– Numbers appearing in reverse
– Maple leaves on the border and in windows
7. • It’s also possible to flip the bills over and see the same
patterns and numbers on the opposite side, in order to
check the authenticity of the bill. All of the various
innovative security measures should help to make
Canadian polymer currency one that counterfeiters
would just as soon ignore.
• With the new bills and the public’s willingness to report
suspected counterfeiting activity, everyone will be better
off.
8. General Public Benefits
• The security features that are present in Canadian
polymer bills benefit the general public because they are
easy to verify and if you are in possession of a
counterfeit bill, you won’t be reimbursed. You won’t be
charged if it’s obvious you had no knowledge that it was
counterfeit, but you likely won’t get a new one back.
• The new bills will also be easy to handle for everyone
and you won’t have to be quite so delicate to avoid
tearing the bills as you handle them. Paper bills seem to
tear with relative ease just going in and out of the wallet.
9. • Raised features, large numbers or an electronic
signal from bank note readers will help people
who can’t see at all or who have partial sight,
recognize individual bills. These features will
give back a good deal of independence to those
who have had some taken away along with their
sight. These features are essentially the same
as with the Canadian Journey series of
banknotes, but they will last longer.
10. Will Regular Counters Work?
• With the new polymer bills, you may have to get a new
currency counter if you’re in a profession or situation
where counting large sums of money is necessary.
Reputable suppliers will provide ‘polymer ready’ counters
and sorters, but you may have to switch or have your old
one adjusted to count both. Ask your supplier how they
plan to handle the new bills, and if they don’t have a
logical plan in place, go find a cash counter supplier who
does.
11. • If you are looking for a new polymer bill
counter then trust the experts at
CashTech Currency
