1. Spotting a fake paper or polymer note
Polymer ₤ 5 and ₤ 10 notes have entirely replaced paper notes given that 2018, while this year has seen the release of polymer ₤ 20 notes into blood circulation.
All notes will be polymer by the end of 2021, when the Bank of England expects to have actually released a ₤ 50 polymer note.
But with paper notes still in flow and polymer notes having extra safety features to make them more difficult to fake, what should you be looking out for to find if your cash is phony?
First, let's look at how to find a phony paper banknote. If you're particularly thinking about spotting fake plastic notes, scroll straight to point 8.
These are printed on an unique product, so make sure you check how the paper feels.
An authentic banknote has a cloth-like feel, while a phony note will feel more like basic paper.
₤ 50 banknote (Image: Bank of England).
2. Raised print.
Run your finger throughout the paper note and if it's real, you should be able to feel the raised print on areas such as the words 'Bank of England' on the front.
If it's a counterfeit, the note is unlikely to have a textured feel to it and will feel flat all over.
3. Inspect the metallic thread.
A metallic thread is embedded in every paper banknote.
This looks like silver dashes on the back of paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes (see more info on identifying phony paper ₤ 20 notes on this Bank of England page).
The thread is woven through the paper-- not simply printed on-- so when you hold it approximately the light it need to look like a counterfeit money for sale constant dark line.
This looks like intense green dashes on the front of ₤ 50 notes.
Each dash is really a window which includes images of the '₤' sign and the number '50'. When the note is slanted from side to side, the images go up and down.
When the note is tilted up and down, the images move from side to side and the number '50' and '₤' symbol swap places.
4. Check the watermark.
If you hold a real note up to the light, you should see an image of the Queen's picture.
Nevertheless, if you can still see the watermark when the note is flat and not held up to the light, it's most likely to be a dodgy note.
5. Examine the print quality.
The printed lines and colours on authentic notes will be detailed and sharp and devoid of smudges or blurred edges. So ensure you check the detail thoroughly.
If the quality is bad or untidy, you've got yourself a phony!
6. Inspect under ultra-violet light.
This isn't so helpful if you've just been offered a banknote in a store, but if you're really figured out to discover whether your note is fake or authentic, put it under ultra-violet light.
If it's the real deal, its worth will appear in brilliant red and green numbers while the background will be dull in contrast.
The paper ₤ 20 and ₤ 50 notes likewise have brilliant red and green flecks randomly topped the front and back of the note.
7. Utilize a magnifying glass.
Use a magnifying glass to look carefully at the lettering beneath the Queen's portrait. On a real note, ornamental swirls spell out the worth of the note in small letters and numerals.