Banknotes & Counterfeit Deterrence

Every country has legal restrictions on the reproduction of banknote images. The counterfeiting of currency is a crime, and while restrictions vary from country to country, in some countries, any reproduction of banknote images – even for artistic or advertising uses – is strictly forbidden. Even in countries that allow some limited use of banknote images, there are specific rules and requirements. This website will provide you with information about reproducing banknote images and links to country-specific websites for further guidance.


While the overall economic losses to society from counterfeiting of currency are generally limited, the victims who suffer the most harm are individuals and businesses, because no one reimburses those who accept counterfeit notes. Counterfeit currency can also undermine confidence in the payment system, making the public uncertain about accepting cash for transactions.

The Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group (CBCDG) is responsible for this website. A counterfeit deterrence system (CDS) has been developed by the CBCDG to deter the use of personal computers, digital imaging equipment, and software in the counterfeiting of banknotes. The CDS has been voluntarily adopted by hardware and software manufacturers, and prevents personal computers and digital imaging tools from capturing or reproducing the image of a protected banknote. The technology does not have the capacity to track the use of a personal computer or digital imaging tools.

For information specific to a particular country or the banknote image you want to use, click on the appropriate region on the map or select the relevant country or currency from the list.

1.

Regions:

 Select a region from the list or click on the map below
 

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Currency:

Countries:

Languages:
SGD – Singapore dollar Singapore English

Official bank or department:

Contact information:

Links:
Monetary Authority of Singapore Monetary Authority of Singapore
Currency House
109 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore 118536
Phone: +65 63494660 (Muthusamy Silvarajoo)
+65 63494639 (Goh Hai Seng)
Fax: +65 63494700

Conditions of grant of permission

General information about the reproduction of banknotes:

The use of the reproduction of any currency note or coin shall maintain, and not detract from, the dignity, integrity and image of the currency note or coin; and there shall be no risk of confusion with genuine currency note or coin.

The reproduction of any currency note or coin

  • shall not distort images of the President or any national symbol;
  • shall not show the currency note or coin in a manner that is offensive or against public interest; and
  • shall be on a material that can be unambiguously and easily distinguished from coins, paper notes or polymer notes.

Reproduction in printed media:

The reproduction of any currency note

  • shall be at least 150% of both the length and width of the genuine currency note when the reproduction is enlarged or
    no more than 60% of both the length and width of the genuine currency note when the reproduction is reduced in size;
  • shall, when the reproduction is enlarged, reduced in size or to be viewed at an angle, be depicted proportionally;
  • may be depicted at various angles. However, when the whole currency note is depicted flat to the camera, the reproduction shall contain the word ‘‘SPECIMEN’’ in black and bold lettering diagonally across the reproduction. Said lettering shall not cover any part of the portrait;
  • shall not be carried out using duplex printing (i.e. nothing shall appear on the reverse of the reproduction that may give the impression that it is a genuine currency note).

Reproduction in electronic media:

The reproduction of any currency note

  • shall, when the reproduction is enlarged, reduced in size or to be viewed at an angle, be depicted proportionally;
  • may be depicted at various angles. However, when the whole currency note is depicted flat to the camera, the reproduction shall contain the word ‘‘SPECIMEN’’ in black and bold lettering diagonally across the reproduction. Said lettering shall not cover any part of the portrait.