Country level

This level identifies a country, from which a particular bank note comes from.

Short country names in English are used. These country names can be abbreviated to a three-letter code (according to the ISO 3166 Alpha-3 standard) for special uses (e. g., for an inventory list). The exceptions to the ISO standard are (i) the Isle of Man (IOM) and (ii) Northern Ireland (NIR), which use the second part of the ISO 3166-2 Country Subdivision Code  (using first-level division code for GBR only, omitting the preceding ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 code), and (iii) European Union (not in ISO 3166), which uses a discretionary code EUR.

Promotional notes, promotional prints and miscellaneous items use discretionary names and discretionary codes.

Reference designation

S

SH

The letter S designates the Straus reference.

Hybrid bank notes use the additional letter H after the letter S.

Reference designation is not a taxonomic unit.

Issue level

1

2

3

etc.

(Family)

This level identifies specific bank note issues. A bank note issue is considered a separate issue if it significantly differs from other issues and if the issuing authority considers it a separate issue. Significant differences include:

1. Country title (such as Commonwealth of Australia vs Australia).

2. Issuing authority title (such as Banque Nationale de la République d'Haïti vs Banque de la République d'Haïti).

3. Denomination (such as 10 vs 50). Includes redenomination (e.g., 1,000,000 to 100).

4. Substantial design characteristics (substantial differences in bank note design, color, or size). See also Specific cases / Design changes.

Related issues (i.e., issues that belong to a specific time period and are of uniform design) are grouped together in the order of denomination. This means that within a series of related issues, the 20 denomination will always precede the 100 denomination, even if the 100 denomination was issued before the 20 denomination.

Issue numbers are assigned respectively for each country.

Bank note issues are denoted by numbers 1, 2, 3, etc. and always preceded by the reference designation (S or SH).

This is an illustration of different bank note issues (for Mexico):

The word family denotes several bank note issues that for some reason fit together (usually a set of notes of all denominations with a common design theme).

This is an illustration of two distinct families of bank note issues (for Papua New Guinea):

Type level

P

S

R

Z

(X)

(Y)

(W)

This level identifies specific bank note types. The following types are used:

1. P (proof bank note)
   A proof note is printed with the purpose of establishing the quality, design and other properties of the printing. Proof notes may be unfinished in design and may be missing certain characteristics (serial number, color, printing phase) that one would see on a finished note. Proof notes are usually made to help the printer and the issuing authority select the design, color, etc. A proof note can sometimes bear a 'specimen' overprint. Cancellation holes may be present. Proof notes are usually scarce and unavailable to the public. Note that fully finished notes with zero serial numbers, which are sometimes referred to as 'presentation specimens,' are included in this category. This category also covers what are sometimes called trial or essay notes. Proof notes are usually not legal tender . Proof notes that are known to exist in collectors' hands are represented on the country pages. Other proof notes, which are not known to exist in collectors' hands, are listed in the special section on Proof notes. The reason for this separation is that several proof notes are always made for every bank note issue and most of these proof notes are never known to the public. The listing of proof notes is therefore always incomplete. We have chosen to add proof notes that are known to exist in collectors' hands to our listing on the country pages. All other proof notes—where at least some information (usually images) is known to us—can be found in the special section on Proof notes.

2. S (specimen bank note)
   A specimen note is printed to familiarize various parties (foreign central banks, commercial banks, law enforcement agencies) with the newly issued currency. Some countries also make them available to the public. A specimen note is a fully finished note, with all the characteristics of a regular circulating note and it always bears a "specimen" overprint (in English or in the local language). It usually comes with zero serial numbers and a consecutive specimen number. Cancellation holes may be present. Specimen notes are not legal tender.

3. R (regular bank note)
   This type comprises all regular, legal tender issues (with the exception of replacement bank notes), including collectors' (commemorative) issues. The same designation (R) is used for regular issues and for collectors' issues as it is sometimes difficult to determine whether a note is a collectors' issue or a regular issue. Since there are no recognized criteria to differentiate between these two types of issues (i.e., there are many 'gray' issues), common designation 'regular issues' is used.

4. Z (replacement bank note)
   Replacement bank notes are sometimes created by the printer to replace damaged or error notes. Such replacement notes bear a special serial number prefix or a special symbol as a part of the serial number to distinguish them from regular notes and to maintain the consecutive serial numbering sequence. Most frequently, however, replacement notes are indistinguishable from regular notes and they bear no special prefix or symbol. Often they are not required at all, as serial numbering is not consecutive and the numbering skips the damaged notes with no replacement.

This is an illustration of two different bank note types (regular and specimen):

The following auxiliary types are used:

5. X (promotional notes by security printers). Refer to Promotional notes for more information. These notes, even if hybrid, do not use the SH designation at the reference level.

6. Y (other prints by security printers, privately commissioned prints, or prints by non-security printers). Refer to Promotional prints for more information. These prints, even if hybrid, do not use the SH designation at the reference level.

7. W (miscellaneous items, such as printing plates). These items, even if hybrid, do not use the SH designation at the reference level.

Auxiliary types generally—but not always—follow the rules regarding designation of issue, variety and sub-variety levels. Assignation of issues, varieties and sub-varieties can be discretionary for certain auxiliary types. This is usually the case (1) when there is a substantial number of promotional notes at what would normally be variety level, but they are grouped into several issue-level reference numbers for convenience (example: DuraNote), or (2) when there is a substantial number of promotional prints at what would normally be issue level, but they are classified into several variety-level reference numbers for convenience (example: Chinese local money).

Variety level

1

2

3

etc.

(Series)

The following characteristics identify specific bank note varieties:

1. Minor design characteristics (minor design changes, such as minor and local color changes, changes in signatory titles, etc.). See also Specific cases / Design changes.

2. Security features. Security features are often changed, added, and upgraded.

3. Date (different dates of issue, either as an imprint or as part of a serial number, e.g., AA 96 vs AA 97).

4. Printer. Notes printed by different printers are assigned a unique variety-level designation only when there are obvious modifications to the bank note. If there are no obvious modifications, a change of printer is classified on a sub-variety level. See Sub-variety level / Note (iv).

5. Printing process (such as offset vs intaglio).

6. Signature.

7. Serial number size, font, format (such as 2-letter vs 3-letter prefix), or color (such as red vs black color). This category covers intended serial number color variations; for unintended variations see Specific cases / Error bank notes.

8. Overprint (e.g., a note with a black overprint or with a red overprint).

Bank note varieties are denoted by numbers 1, 2, 3, etc.

These are two illustrations of different bank note varieties (year varieties for Australia S6 and overprint varieties for Papua New Guinea S1):

The word series is used to distinguish between different varieties of bank notes (single varieties or multiple varieties) that are significant (for one reason or another), according to the prevalent opinion of the numismatic community. For example, we assign separate varieties for all minor design changes (such as an overprint or local color changes). These minor design changes are considered more or less important (or worthy of being collected) by the numismatic community. When the numismatic community views a certain bank note variety as significant (and thus significantly different from other bank note varieties), we might call this variety (or a group of bank note varieties) a series. Grouping different bank note varieties into a series or calling a certain bank note variety a series in its own right is subjective. The word series here is not to be confused with series letters that appear on certain bank notes (such as those of Mexico).

This is an illustration of two different bank note varieties, which we chose to call two distinct series (the 1st series with a simple clear window and the 2nd series with the modified clear window for Romania S9; each series also comprises several year varieties):

Sub-variety level

a

b

c

etc.

The following characteristics identify specific bank note sub-varieties:

1. Packaging (such as a cardboard or leather folder, a folder with a single note, or a folder with two notes).

2. Issued form (such as a sheet of 24 notes or a single issued note).

3. Special serial numbers. Sometimes special serial number prefixes (such as AA 97 or HK 97) are used to commemorate special occasions or low serial numbers (such as AA 000012) are sold by the issuing authority at a premium.

4. Change of printer, where no obvious modifications to the bank note have been made. See Note (iv).

5. Series designation. Certain countries (such as Mexico) use a special series letter, which is imprinted on the note, usually by lithographic (and not letterpress) process. The word series here is not to be confused with the word series as a specific term on variety level.

6. Country designation. Sometimes a serial number prefix denotes a particular country (such as with the European Union).

7. Numbering system. Sometimes consecutive numbering is used for certain (usually very low) serial numbering ranges and non-consecutive numbering is used for the remaining serial numbering ranges. Additionally, certain special print runs (such as uncut sheets) might use a special serial numbering system.

The characteristics above define sub-varieties. They do not determine distinct varieties. (i) Simply placing a bank note in a different folder does not do anything for the note itself—it is still the same note. (ii) For the same reason, it should not be decisive whether the note is issued as a single note or in an uncut sheet of multiple notes. (iii) Furthermore, many bank notes are issued on different occasions with different prefixes and serial number ranges—if we consider a certain prefix or serial number range as being different from another prefix or serial number range, we might as well consider each bank note as being its own unique variety. We do recognize that certain scarcer prefixes or certain low-numbered bank notes rightfully command a premium over what would be a market price for a common note, however, this still does not make them a distinct variety. (iv) A change of printer results in a distinct variety only when there are obvious modifications to the bank note. Obvious modifications are those recognizable under basic or qualified examination and exclude forensic examination of high-level, covert security features. Different serial numbers (such as AA 111111 or CD 222222) are not viewed as an obvious modification. If there are no obvious modifications, a change of printer is classified on a sub-variety level.

Bank note sub-varieties are denoted by small letters a, b, c, etc.

This is an illustration of three different sub-varieties (series designation for Mexico S1R3) and of four different bank note sub-varieties (packaging and issued form for New Zealand S1R1):

Design changes

Changes in substantial design characteristics define issues; changes in minor design characteristics define varieties. The difference between a substantial design characteristic and a minor one is discretionary. This section attempts to establish some guidelines and precedents for making such discretionary decisions.

For changes in substantial design characteristics, refer to General rules / Issue level. For changes in minor design characteristics, refer to General rules / Variety level. For specific examples, see below.

Specific examples of changes in substantial design characteristics (a new bank note issue designation has been assigned):

1. Design change. Example I: Australia S2 redesigned to S3 (orientation bands added in eight places; the issuing authority considered this a new bank note issue). Example II: Romania S6 redesigned to S11 (the clear window was reshaped and redesigned, obverse design was modified; the issuing authority considered this a new bank note issue).

2. Color change. Example: Australia S2 recolored to S3 (the dominant color changed from gray to violet; the issuing authority considered this a new bank note issue).

3. Resizing. Example: Romania S6 resized to S11 (the note was resized from 168 x 78 to 147 x 82 mm; the issuing authority considered this a new bank note issue).

Specific examples of changes in minor design characteristics (a new bank note variety designation has been assigned):

4. Design change. Example I: Brazil S1R1 changed to S1R2 (name "Pedro A. Cabral" changed to "Pedro Álvares Cabral"). Example II: Australian issues of 1992-1999 redesigned in 2002 (additions of names of the persons depicted on the notes; the two signatories changed positions).

5. Local color change. Example I: Australia S4 recolored in 1994 (the portrait on reverse changed from blue to gray). Example II: Samoa S1 received several minor color changes (producing four distinct varieties).

Error bank notes

Sometimes, the serial numbering ink is chemically unstable, which can cause slight changes in serial number color. Such unintended and erroneous instances do not warrant a separate variety designation; such notes are deemed to be error notes. Specific examples include: Australia S2 (black/green serial numbers), Papua New Guinea S1 (black/green serial numbers) and Sri Lanka S1 (red/orange serial numbers).

Bank notes such as Australia S1R1 warrant a separate variety listing. The S1R1 note showed technical flaws, which were corrected by using improved technology and an improved production process (resulting in the S1R2 note variety). In comparison, the Zambia S1R1 and S2R1 notes exhibited technical flaws (fading serial numbering ink), which were corrected by using the correct application of the same technology and of the same production process. No separate variety listing is therefore needed and the flawed note is deemed to be an error note.

Refer to Error bank notes for more information.

Non-legal tender bank notes

Kuwait S1 and Kuwait S2 are examples of bank notes that are not legal tender. Nevertheless, they were printed by a security printer (NPA), they are using high-level bank note security, and they were issued/sold by an issuing authority (the Central Bank of Kuwait). We have, therefore, included them in our listing.

Proper use

Examples:

1. Vietnam S5 or Fiji SH1
   This reference is properly cited at the issue level; the letter H denotes a hybrid bank note.

2. Australia S1R1 or Fiji SH1R1
   This reference is properly cited at the variety level; the letter H denotes a hybrid bank note.

3. Brunei S3R3a
   This reference is properly cited at the sub-variety level.

Conditional use

Examples:

1. S7 or S2P2 or S4R1a or SH1
   Allowed if the country name is mentioned beforehand.

2. 8 or 3R1 or 4R1a
   Allowed if the country name is mentioned beforehand and if the letter S (denoting the Straus reference system) is directly and clearly linked to the citation (for example, as a heading in the table, where the truncated reference appears).

Improper use

Examples:

1. China S1Z or S2R
   The type level is present, but the variety level is missing. Not possible.

2. Samoa 1 or Brazil 1R1 or New Zealand 5R1c
   The letter S is missing. Not possible.

3. S2R2A or Singapore S4R1B
   The sub-variety designation should not be a capital letter. Not possible.