The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will issue the first upgraded banknotes tomorrow (1 February 2005). The upgraded banknotes have several improved security features, which will make it easier for the public to distinguish between good banknotes and counterfeit banknotes. As the Reserve Bank has not “demonetised” any of its currency, the current banknotes will remain legal tender and will circulate simultaneously with the upgraded banknotes. There will be no need for the public to exchange the current banknotes for upgraded banknotes. Examples of the upgraded banknotes’ improved security features include a shimmering gold band, visible on the back of the banknote when it is tilted, as well as the colour-changing ink on the number value on the front bottom right of the R50, R100 and R200 banknotes.  The note value has been added to the watermark of the upgraded banknotes across all denominations and a holographic Coat of Arms will now become visible in the security thread when one tilts a R50, R100 or R200 banknote. (The security thread is the windowed silver line on the front of the banknote that becomes a continuous solid dark line when it is held up to the light.)  While the Big Five animal motif remains on the front of the upgraded banknotes and the economic sector themes on the back, the upgraded banknotes feature some design changes. Celebrating South Africa’s democracy, the upgraded banknotes will be the first to show the South African Coat of Arms and to use all eleven languages across the denominations.   “South African Reserve Bank” will appear in English on the front of the upgraded banknotes and in two other official languages per denomination on the back. There will be Afrikaans and SiSwati on the R10 banknotes; Setswana and IsiNdebele on the R20, IsiXhosa and Tshivenda on the R50; Sesotho sa Leboa and Xitsonga on the R100; and IsiZulu and Sesotho on the R200 For further information on the upgraded banknotes: Members of the public who require further information on the new banknotes can contact the helpline number on 086 123 1020. All calls will be charged at local rates. Alternatively, visit the South African Reserve Bank’s website at www.reservebank.co.za. Ends For further information, contact:Cathy Powers: Tel: (012) 313 4420