Free Travel Genius

Anatomy of a counterfeit 100 yuan bill

📅 8/1/2012
✍️ sara
📂 Sara's Sino Soliloquy

There are likely many types of counterfeit 100 yuan notes. There are, however, a few things to look for that should give you an idea of what to look for on a legitimate bank note.

First, let me start with pictures of the front and back of a legitimate 100 yuan bill.

Front of a real bill

The red half-circle in the left hand corner, when held up to the light, lines up with its blue counterpart on the back of the bill in the lower right-hand corner.

 

  <p class="wp-caption-text">
    Back of a real bill
  </p></div> 
  
  <p>
    Note the placement of the blue half circle in the lower right hand corner.  When held up to the light, this will line up perfectly with its red counterpart in the lower left hand corner on the front of the bill.
  </p>
  
  <p>
    &nbsp;
  </p>
  
  <div style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo17-Copy.jpg"><img src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo17-Copy-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Resulting circle on a legal bill
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <p>
    When held up to the light, this makes a complete circle with a small square inside it.
  </p>
  
  <p>
    &nbsp;
  </p>
  
  <p>
    Next, here are pictures of the front and back of a counterfeit bill.  On this counterfeit bill, that circle we encountered before doesn’t appear in the corner, but towards the middle of the bill towards the left…
  </p>
  
  <div id="attachment_2280" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo9.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2280" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo9-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo9-300x225.jpg 300w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo9-768x576.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo9-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo9-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Front of a counterfeit bill
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <div id="attachment_2281" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo11.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2281" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo11-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo11-300x225.jpg 300w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo11-768x576.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo11-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo11-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Back of a counterfeit bill
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <p>
    …and the right sides. And when held up to the light…
  </p>
  
  <div id="attachment_2282" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo18-Copy1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2282" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo18-Copy1-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo18-Copy1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo18-Copy1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo18-Copy1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo18-Copy1-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Counterfeit circle doesn't line up
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <p>
    the halves do not line up.
  </p>
  
  <p>
    &nbsp;
  </p>
  
  <p>
    Serial number:<br /> Obviously, if you take out multiple bills and they have the same serial number on them, it should be a dead giveaway. But if you only get one counterfeit bill…
  </p>
  
  <div id="attachment_2272" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo5-Copy.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2272" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo5-Copy-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo5-Copy-225x300.jpg 225w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo5-Copy-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo5-Copy.jpg 1224w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Same serial number
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <p>
    &nbsp;
  </p>
  
  <p>
    Watermarks:
  </p>
  
  <p>
    Visible watermarks
  </p>
  
  <p>
    The denomination watermark on these counterfeit bills are visible without holding it up to the light. This 100 to the right of the green one would not be visible on legal currency.
  </p>
  
  <div id="attachment_2275" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo6.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2275" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo6-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo6-225x300.jpg 225w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo6-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo6.jpg 1224w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Visible watermark
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <p>
    &nbsp;
  </p>
  
  <p>
    The texture:
  </p>
  
  <p>
    The texture on the counterfeit bills are very coarse, having been more recently printed. A legitimate bill will have been worn smooth.
  </p>
  
  <div id="attachment_2283" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo8.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2283" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo8-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo8-225x300.jpg 225w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo8-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo8.jpg 1224w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Real (Smooth)
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <div id="attachment_2284" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo7.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2284" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo7-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo7-225x300.jpg 225w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo7-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/photo7.jpg 1224w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Fake (textured)
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <p>
    &nbsp;
  </p>
  
  <p>
    The silver bar at the center of the bill:
  </p>
  
  <p>
    If you hold a legitimate bill up to the light, you will see a solid line running down the center. If you look closely, you’ll see RMB (standing for renminbi, the name of the currency). If you see these two things, you are in possession of legal currency.
  </p>
  
  <div id="attachment_2285" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo14.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2285" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo14-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo14-300x225.jpg 300w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo14-768x576.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo14-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo14-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Silver bar running through the center
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <div id="attachment_2286" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo15.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2286" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo15-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo15-300x225.jpg 300w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo15-768x576.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo15-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo15-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Silver bar says RMB (sorry that it got blurry when I shrunk the pic)
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <p>
    The counterfeit I have does not have a dark line down the center, nor the RMB printed in it.
  </p>
  
  <div id="attachment_2287" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo16.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2287" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo16-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo16-300x225.jpg 300w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo16-768x576.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo16-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo16-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Only light bar down the center with no RMB printed inside it
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <p>
    &nbsp;
  </p>
  
  <p>
    Color change:
  </p>
  
  <p>
    The denomination should change color. On real currency, the 100 changes from green to blue.
  </p>
  
  <div id="attachment_2288" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo19.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2288" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo19-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo19-300x225.jpg 300w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo19-768x576.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo19-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo19-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Real bill held upright (before)
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <div id="attachment_2289" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo20.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2289" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo20-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo20-300x225.jpg 300w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo20-768x576.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo20-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo20-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Real bill (after turning it)
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <p>
    On the fake currency, the number stayed green.
  </p>
  
  <div id="attachment_2290" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo21.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2290" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo21-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo21-300x225.jpg 300w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo21-768x576.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo21-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo21-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Fake bill (and you can of course see the watermark)
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <div id="attachment_2291" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone">
    <a href="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo22.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2291" src="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo22-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo22-300x225.jpg 300w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo22-768x576.jpg 768w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo22-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://freetravelgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/photo22-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>
    
    <p class="wp-caption-text">
      Aaaaaand presto change...no
    </p>
  </div>
  
  <p>
    You can also see the watermark of Mao’s mug pretty easily from this angle 😛
  </p>
  
  <p>
    &nbsp;
  </p>
  
  <p>
    As I said before, I am sure that there are a lot of different kinds of counterfeit bills.  However, I hope that any one of these details can help someone to spot a fake bill, should they ever encounter one.
  </p>

Comments