Security features of the modern Uruguay banknotes
(with the example of 50 pesos issued in 1994)

 
Uruguay, 50 pesos 1994, obverse Uruguay, 50 pesos 1994, reverse
 
Raised printing - mark for visually impaired (1) The square in the upper left corner of the banknote is a mark for the visually impaired people. It's raised above the note and can be felt with fingertips. Each denomination has it's own mark so that it can identify the note. Raised printing (2) Most of the red drawings on the banknote are made in the technique of intaglio printing. They are raised above the note and can be felt with fingertips. It's achieved by a high pressure applying a thick layer of paint.
Secutity thread (3) Uruguay banknotes of 1994 all have a security thread of diving type (parts are visible on face side). The thread has no inscriptions on it. Portrait (4) The portrait of Jose Pedro Varela is one of the most complicated elements on the note. It's also made with intaglio printing technique and has a lot of tiny details. Reverse has no raised printing, but the drawing is also very complicated.
Latent image (5) Latent image that appears visible when a banknote is held at one angle to the light, shows the letters BCU standing for the Banco Central del Uruguay, and Artigas profile when viewed at another angle. From 50 pesos and on the latent image area is also glowing under UV rays. Banknote number (6) Banknote number is always unique. As an additional feature, the number on uruguayan pesos is written with different sized numerals.
Background ornament (7) The background ornament of the new uruguayan pesos is a complex one. It has at least two separate ornaments, one coming over another. In this case they are red and blue, in other parts of the note red with green, etc. Matching elements (8) Matching elements on the uruguayan notes are quite unique: the vertical line with the word URUGUAY comes in full height of the note - such thing never appeared on other countries' money. Also book and ribbon elements match on obverse and reverse.
Watermark (9) Watermark on the serie of uruguayan pesos issued in 1994 depicts a portrait of Artigas, a national heroe of Uruguay. His portrait is visible against the light on the blank field of each note. Tone lines (10) Tone lines on the banknotes are polygonal sections on the obverse and square blocks on the reverse. The lines go at different angles there and such positioning makes the copying equipment draw spectacular "rainbow" lines instead.
Printing agency (11) The printing agency for making the latest uruguayan banknotes is Thomas De La Rue and Company. It's mark can be seen in the lower right corner on the reverse of the note. Glittering paint (12) Several elements on the reverse are made with silver glittering paint (from 50 pesos and on) - URUGUAY inscription, the sun, the book and a square over the word CINQUENTA. This paint also glows bright under UV rays.
Printing agency (13) Microtext line goes in the second red row under the word URUGUAY, and it reads as a continious line of BANCOCENTRALDELURUGUAY inscription. Can be viewed with a magnifying glass only.    

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