How to Detect Counterfeit Money - Canada

The Canadian Journey Series (2001 - 2004) $20, $50, and $100 bank notes feature red and yellow fluorescence ink. Under UV light, look for the words "Bank of Canada - Banque du Canada" on the 50's, with the order of the translations reversed for the 20's and 100's. The dollar amount appears in large text between the translation. These bills also have fibers that glow red or yellow under UV light.

The $5 and $10 bills feature the words "Five - Cinq" and "Dix - Ten" in blue fluorescence ink. Below is the Coat of Arms and the words "Banque du Canada - Bank of Canada" on the Five, with the order of translations reversed on the Ten. The bills also have fibers in the paper that glow orange under UV light.

“All (US) & Canadian bank notes have a number of security features that help make it easier to spot a fake. Always compare a suspect note to a note that you know is genuine. Look at the various security features and never rely on any single anti-counterfeiting measure to authenticate a bank note.” (Bank of Canada)

Important Note: Taking photographs of ultraviolet light causes the UV light to appear as very bright blue and the fluorescence glow to be washed out. The Countercheck Photon UV-1 light produces light with a wavelength of 370 nm, resulting in a very faint white-purple light since almost all of the light produced is ultraviolet and outside the visible spectrum. This results in fluorescence features on bills glowing very brightly, even more so than under blacklight bulbs.

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