Explanation of Security Features

Security Features for the General Public

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  Holographic Strip (Optically Variable Device)

  The holographic strip is a special film applied on the left end of the obverse. On the top, middle and bottom of the strip, are three sets of changing images : ① a 'map of Korea', ② a taegeuk ('a two comma roundel'), and ③ 'the four trigrams'. When the banknote is tilted, each of them appears in turn. Between the sets of changing images, the denomination, “50000”, is printed vertically on the strip.
  On the left top and bottom of the holographic strip, against a background of geometric guilloche, the words “BANK OF KOREA 50000” are printed vertically. A line of a Korean traditional lattice pattern is embossed on the strip's right end.

  * For reference, the hologram of the 10,000-won notes is square in shape, while that on the 5,000-won notes has a circular shape.

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  Moving image in the striped band (Windowed security thread)

  The 50,000-won note has a special blue and gray film with numerous Taegeuk patterns all over it. Taeguek patterns move to the left and right when the note is tilted up and down, while moving up and down when the note is tilted to the left and right.
  When the note is held up to the light, the movement of the Taegeuk patterns appears more clearly.

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  Novel Numbering

  The sizes of the digits (numbers and letters) used in the serial number increase gradually from left to right.

  * For reference, the letters and numbers used in the serial numbers for the 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000-won notes are all the same constant size.

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  CSI : Color-Shifting Ink

  The color of the face value number(“50000”) on the top right of the reverse turns from magenta to green or from green to magenta, when the note is tilted.

  * For reference, the colors of the face value numbers of the 10,000 and 5,000-won notes turn from gold to green when tilted, while that of the 1,000-won note from green to blue.

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  Watermark

  Held up to the light, a hidden portrait (of Shin Saimdang), produced by using the variation in thickness of the note paper, appears in the non-image area on the left side of the obverse.

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  SPAS : Special Press and Soldering

  SPAS is a kind of watermark, produced using the maximized thickness variations in the note paper. It is located on the right bottom of the watermark and if you hold the banknote up to a light source or look at it with the naked eye, the number ‘5’ appears within the pentagon.

  * For reference, we can observe the face value numbers (“10000, 5000, 1000”) on the 10,000, 5,000, and 1,000- won notes.

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  Intaglio Latent Image

  If you hold the note horizontally and tilt it at eye level, the number ‘5’ appears within the intaglio-printed pentagon.

  * For reference, the 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000-won notes have same intaglio latent images on the bottoms of their obverses. If you tilt these notes, the latent lettering “WON” appears.

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  Security Thread

  If you held the note up to the light, you can see the micro letters “한국은행 BANK OF KOREA 50000” printed within a special film hidden on the right side of the portrait.

  * For reference, security threads including micro letters “한국은행 BANK OF KOREA 10000” and "한국은행 BANK OF KOREA 5000” are also employed on the right sides of the portraits on the 10,000 and 5,000-won notes respectively. Instead of this kind of security thread, a windowed security thread is employed on the 1,000-won note, at the center.

• Intaglio Printing

  Granular texture can be felt when touching the portrait of Shin Saimdang, the Wolmaedo painting, letters, five lines of tactile marks and denomination numbers

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  See Through Register

  When the note is held up to the light, the round images on the obverse and reverse are combined, appearing as a two-comma roundel (Taegeuk).

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  Endless Pattern

  Exactly identical patterns are printed at the same places in the top and bottom and to the right and left, around the edges of the note. If we fold a banknote and connect the top and bottom or the right and left, the patterns overlap.

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  Rainbow Printing

  To heighten the counterfeiting deterrent effect, a special printing method for mixing colors naturally in areas shared by two different colors is employed.

[Security Features for Professional Money Handlers, including staff of Financial Institutions]

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  Fluorescent Security Ink, Fluorescent Security Fiber

  When the note is illuminated with ultraviolet light, fluorescent green (security ink) on the grape painting and short fluorescent red, blue and green lines (fluorescent security fibers) show all over the banknote.

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  Filter Through Latent Image

  Through a specially-produced filter, we can observe the hidden face value number “50000” in the non-image area of the reverse.

• Micro Lettering

  Intaglio-printed micro letters (consonants of Korean alphabets and “BANK OF KOREA”) and offset-printed micro letters (“50000”) can be discerned with a magnifying glass.