HOW TO SPOT A FAKE ZIMBABWE 100 TRILLION DOLLAR BANKNOTE

 

The Zimbabwe 100 trillion dollar banknote, issued during the country's hyperinflation crisis in the late 2000s, has become a collector's item and a conversation starter due to its astronomical face value. However, its popularity has also made it a target for counterfeiters. Whether you're a collector, investor, or simply someone fascinated by this historical artifact, knowing how to identify a genuine note is crucial. Here are key tips to help you spot a fake:

1. Examine the Paper Quality

Genuine Zimbabwean banknotes are printed on high-quality cotton-based paper. This material has a distinct feel—slightly coarse yet firm. Counterfeit notes may feel smoother, flimsier, or overly glossy due to the use of substandard materials.

2. Check the Watermark

Hold the banknote up to a light source. Authentic 100 trillion dollar notes feature a clear watermark of a cow’s head in the unprinted area. On fake notes, this feature is often absent, poorly replicated, or printed rather than embedded in the paper.

3. Inspect the Security Thread

Genuine notes have a security thread running vertically through the paper. This metallic thread features the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s initials ("RBZ") and is partially visible on both sides. Counterfeit notes may have a printed line or poorly inserted thread.

 

4. Observe the Microprinting

Authentic notes contain microprinting—a fine detail that's hard to replicate. Using a magnifying glass, check for tiny text along the edges of larger printed elements. Counterfeit notes usually lack this detail or appear blurry when magnified.

 5. Feel for Intaglio Printing

Intaglio printing creates a raised texture on elements like the denomination and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe logo. Run your fingers over these features; you should feel the texture. Flat or smooth printing may indicate a fake.

6. Inspect the Serial Number

Each genuine note has a unique serial number printed on the front. These should be well-aligned and consistent in font and size. Counterfeit notes often have mismatched or poorly aligned serial numbers.

7. Look for Color - Shifting Ink

Genuine notes use color-shifting ink on the denomination in the top-right corner. Tilt the note under light, and you should see the color shift from green to gold. Counterfeiters may overlook or fail to replicate this feature accurately.

8. Verify with UV Light

Under ultraviolet (UV) light, genuine banknotes reveal fluorescent security features. The RBZ initials and certain patterns in the background glow under UV light. Counterfeit notes usually lack these features.

9. Price Awareness

Research current prices before making a purchase. Notes sold significantly below market value are often counterfeit. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.

10. Under White Light

Under white light, genuine notes reveal precise alignment in the numbers "1" and "0." Misalignment is a sign of a counterfeit.