Technical Specification:
Size: 152mm x 76 mm
Printer: NPA Australia
Type: Polymer
Prefix: KL/98-000001 ~ KL/98-500000
Issued for the 1998 XVI Commonwealth games
Bank Negara Malaysia issued a RM50 denomination polymer commemorative banknote for the first time to commemorate the Kuala Lumpur 98 - XVI Commonwealth Games on 1 June 1998.
New Design
This RM50 commemorative polymer banknote has a different design compared to the RM50 denomination circulation note. The banknote measures 152mm X 76mm. It is yellowish blue in colour and carries design motifs which depict Malaysia's economic development, and also the XVI Commonwealth Games. The front side features the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the right and the Kuala Lumpur city skyline with prominent landmarks in the centre. The Commonwealth Games "Look Programme" which features the stylised butterfly symbol, and the gold-coloured Optical Variable Device (OVD) with the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the clear window, appear on the left. The logo of Bank Negara Malaysia appears in the other clear window on the right of the note. The Kuala Lumpur International Airport is featured as the central backdrop. To the right, the background design shows the artist's impression of the Multimedia Super Corridor connecting Kuala Lumpur City to Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The back design shows the Stadium Utama Bukit Jalil in the centre. The logo of Kuala Lumpur 98-XVI Commonwealth Games appears on the left of the note.
Security Features
New security features are incorporated in this RM50 polymer banknote. It combines conventional security features commonly found in paper banknote and innovative security features which are unique to polymer banknotes. These features provide protection against the use of contemporary high resolution digital colour copiers and scanners. The security features of this RM50 Polymer banknote include the following:-
Clear Security Windows - visible from both sides of the note, they are readily identifiable features, including under low light conditions.
Optical Variable Device - positioned in the larger clear window and visible from both sides, a bright golden-coloured diffractive Optical Variable Device features the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Clearly visible optical shifts are generated when the note is tilted to the light.
Security Vignette - Bank Negara Malaysia's logo appears, printed in white in the smaller clear window and visible from both sides of the note.
Intaglio Micro-Lettering - part of the background behind the portrait and the ring shape around the stadium contains micro-lettering of the words "KL 98 Games" which can be viewed under a magnifying glass.
Visible and Invisible Fluorescing Printing - elements of the background designs, the Games logo and the two serial numbers will fluoresce when seen under ultra violet light. Invisible under normal conditions, the denomination will also appear when exposed to ultra violet light.
Anti Scanner / Copier Patterns - the note features certain areas, designed such that these will change appearance when copied.
Overcoating - the special protective coating of the polymer notes will make the security features in the polymer notes stay in a good condition over the entire life of the note. The numbers are positioned in two rectangles, which have not been overcoated, and these can be seen when the note is tilted at an angle.
This RM50 commemorative polymer banknote is a collector's item produced in a limited quantity, that is 500,000 sets. The note is legal tender. The RM50 note is priced at RM80 per set and the note is packaged in a folder. This commemorative note was available at all commercial banks from 1 June 1998.