Chinese Money – How to Tell if It's Real
Spotting Counterfeit Money in the People’s Republic of China
Nov 8, 2009
Shopkeepers, cashiers and taxi drivers routinely examine the bills they accept for a very good reason. Counterfeit money is not all that uncommon in the People's Republic of China. The government has gone to great lengths to protect the integrity of their currency. With a little knowledge and effort, anyone can learn to spot a forgery and prevent a costly mistake.
Chinese currency is named Renminbi and abbreviated RMB, however It is commonly called yuan or kuai. There are many ways to distinguish the different denominations: size, color and design. In addition, each bill has the amount number clearly printed in two or three places on the face and three times on the back.
It may be helpful to read Modern Chinese Money Isn't a Puzzle because it provides additional descriptive information about Chinese currency.
Foolproof Ways to Spot Counterfeit Chinese Money
Look at the money carefully. Except for the one yuan, all of the notes have a silver ribbon running through them from top to bottom just left of the center. It is visible as silver only on the front, the back just shows a gray line.
The engraved designs create many places with an easily felt texture. Two of the most prominent locations are the flower picture near the center of each note and the jacket that Chairman Mao is wearing. Both are raised enough to feel. Rub a finger across the paper and notice the slight bumpiness.
To Check for Counterfeit Currency in China, Look for Hidden Marks
When held so that a light can shine through the paper of the currency, look at the light-colored left hand side. The 100 yuan note has a watermark showing Chairman Mao, the same picture but smaller than the one engraved on the right side. Each of the other denominations also has a watermark on the left side. It shows a picture of the same flower that is engraved below the number near the center, but the watermark shows a different view of the flower than the one that is printed.
A bit more difficult to see, and not quite the same as a watermark is another proof of authenticity. Under the number in the right hand corner of each bill is a darker colored medallion. When the note is held so the light will reflect off of it (not through it like for the watermark) the number in the right hand corner is duplicated. However, the number in the medallion is rotated 90 degrees from the one in the corner.
Machines Can Count Chinese RMB Quicker and Easier
Banks and merchants don’t have time to examine each bill closely. A counterfeit detector machine that counts and verifies a stack of 100 yuan bills in seconds is widely used.The machine often jams so the operator will pull out all of the notes and start over. It is very convenient for people handling large sums of money, and the results are reliable.
Using foreign currency can be confusing without advance preparation. Learning about Chinese money before getting to China enhances the adventure of exploring new cultures and places.
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