Paper Bank Notes have passed through various stages of changes. Polymer Bank Notes is evolution of technology and many countries have adopted this technology. It was pioneered in DuPont in the early 1980's with Tyvck polymer. This was unsuccessful & in late 1980's Reserve Bank of Australia developed & perfected it with Guardian polymer, which is in vogue now. Polymer Bank Notes were developed to increase the durability of currency, & to enhance security against counterfeiting. The features includes durability, cleanliness, security, cost saving, environmental friendly. The traditional secirity features used on paper banknotes are also applied on polymer notes. Such as intaglio, offset and letterpress printing, latent images, micro printing, & intricate background patterns. Security thread and OVI (Optical Variable Ink) can also be added. Polymer notes also have advantage to incorporate new and enhanced security features, such as transparent windows, diffraction gratings, and holograms. The tranparent window where OVD is located is the key security feature of a polymer note.

In 1996, Australia was the first country to use a full set of circulating polymer banknotes, New Zealand followed suit with its $ 20 banknote in 1999, whilst Romania became the first European Country in 1999, and the third country in the world, to introduce a full set of circulating polymer bank notes. Zambia is the first African Country to adopt polymer bank notes in 2003 when it issued 500 Kwacha and 1000 Kwacha polymer bank note.

WORLD'S FIRST TRUE POLYMER BANKNOTE
On 27th January 1988, the Researve Bank of Australia (RBA) issued a A$10 polymer banknote to commemorate 200 years of European settlement (1788-1988). It was world's first true polymer banknote was developed by the RBA and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial research Organization.

TAIWAN 50 YUAN
On 15 June 1999 Taiwan issued its first 50 Yuan polymer banknote in commemoration of 50 years of issue of the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). It was printed in Taiwan by the Taiwan Printing Works and Note Printing Australia with a size of 166mm x 72mm.

THAILAND'S 50 BAHT
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadj, Rama IX, a 50 Baht polymer banknote was released on 3rd December 1996. It was printed by Note Printing Australia with 144mm x 72mm in size.

SINGAPORE'S 50 DOLLARS
Singapore was the second country to issue a polymer banknote. On 9 August 1990 Singapore issued its first $50 polymer banknote to celebrate the nation's 25th Anniversary of Independence. It was 157mm x 74mm in size and was printed by Note Printing Australia.

Sample of an transparent window used on Papua New Guinea Banknote

Sample of an OVD device used on Singapore $50 Banknote

Sample of micro-printing used on Central Bank of Nigeria Polymer Banknote