TheCable

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has begun the circulation of the commemorative N100 banknote unveiled last month by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

In a statement on its website, CBN directed all its branches to commence issuance of the currency in their respective locations.

“The commemorative note, which is embedded with features to assist the visually impaired recognize genuine notes, also has other security features easily identifiable through look, feel and tilt of the currency note,” it said.

At the unveiling of the new banknote, Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor explained that the new note was designed with enhanced security to offer robust resistance against counterfeiting.

“Authentication features of the note include window micro-optics, showing the national flag and numeral 100 indicating the value of the denomination and the attainment of the centenary period,” it added in the statement.

“The new design retains the portrait of Chief Obafemi Awolowo both in the ink, that is the interglow level, as a portrait and also in a paper as a shadow image. In addition, there is a spark feature of a rolling manila bar, which was the instrument of transaction during the slave trade era.

“At the back side of the currency is the introduced Quick Response Code, QRC, a digital communication feature that highlights and sources all the information about the centenary. With the QRC application, the barcode on the banknote can be scanned by users to read a brief history of Nigeria.”

The commemorative note will circulate alongside the existing N 100 note.

Back in 2010, CBN also issued commemorative N50 polymer note to mark the country’s 50th Independence anniversary celebration.