There are various ways of determining if a Kenyan Shilling note is genuine or fake. Some crumple the note and check how fast it would take to stretch back to its original form. Others flick the note to feel how hard it is while others scratch the presidents’ portrait to feel how rough it is.

While all these methods might determine the authenticity of a the Shilling note, Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) encourages the public to be aware of the available security features incorporated in genuine currency notes, thus being able to distinguish between genuine and fake notes.

These features include:

1.       Portrait Watermark

A three dimensional (3D) portrait of a lion’s head can be seen when the note is held up in the light. This watermark has the 3D appearance having areas of varying tones, either dark or light.

Below the water mark is the value numeration of the banknote, which can also be seen when the note is held up to a light source.

Both the portrait and the value numeration depict some brightness when held up to a light source.

The watermark would appear as below.

[caption id="attachment_4654" align="alignnone" width="188" caption="Sourced from CBK"][/caption]

2.       Serial Numbers

The serial numbering style is asymmetrical, having progressive larger digits in adjacent positions.

One set of the numbers appears horizontally while the other vertically. The vertical serial numbers are on the left hand side of the banknote and glows under UV light.

[caption id="attachment_4656" align="alignnone" width="560" caption="Photo: Produced by Pesatalk"][/caption]

3.       See Through Feature

Each banknote has a see through feature which forms a perfect complete elephant when held up to the light.

[caption id="attachment_4657" align="alignnone" width="133" caption="Sourced from CBK"][/caption]

When looked at from one side, the image does not form any recognizable feature unless when held to the light.

4.       Security Thread

All genuine banknotes have a distinct interwoven thread running vertically on the right hand side of the notes. When held up to the light, the thread appears as a continuous line and it shows a series of text featuring the denomination of the note and the letters CBK.

The 1000 and 500 shillings denominations have threads that are thicker and portray a colour shift when viewed at angle while the 50, 100 and 200 shillings denominations have a thinner thread silver in colour and do not depict any colour shifts when viewed at angles.

[caption id="attachment_4659" align="alignnone" width="570" caption="Sourced from CBK"][/caption]

The security features in currency notes act as a deterrent and safeguard to minimize the risk of counterfeiting.