The Central Bank of Chile presents a new, longer-lasting and safer 2000 Peso bank note

Central Bank of Chile

August 2004

On Tuesday 31 August 2004, the Central Bank of Chile brought out a new 2000 peso banknote. The new banknote maintains the design and security features of the present series, with the portrait of Manuel Rodriguez on the front and the Church of Los Dominicos on the back but it includes some important technological innovations. It is printed on a synthetic material and has two transparent windows which are very difficult to reproduce as well as other security features such as external and internal micro-printing and an image that can be seen by holding the banknote up to the light which replaces the watermark currently used.

The new banknote is printed on a synthetic polymer material which is very resistent and rejects liquids and dirt, all of which means that the banknote’s useful life should be much longer and thus represents a saving to the Central Bank and the financial system in terms of both printing and processing. The printing technology used for the new banknote is currently used in 20 other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Brazil.

The new 2000 peso banknotes are compatible with automatic teller machines, vending machines and similar equipment although in some specific cases it may be necessary to make some minor adjustments to these machines. The Central Bank will meet with experts on this subject before the new banknote comes into circulation in order to facilitate this adaptation process.

The new 2000 peso banknote will begin to circulate on Tuesday 7 September. The current 2000 peso banknote will no longer be issued so it will gradually disappear from circulation. Meanwhile, it will continue to circulate simultaneously with the new one and will continue to be legal tender.

Modernization is one of the Central Bank’s constant concerns and it makes every effort to incorporate technological innovations that maintain and improve the security, convenience and efficiency of the banknotes and coins circulating in Chile today.