Product Owner: Banque Centrale de Mauritanie
Banknote Denomination/s and Date of Issue
Banque Centrale de Mauritanie launched the 20 Ouguiya banknote on 28th November 2021. The new note is printed by Canadian Banknote Company whilst supported by CCL Secure for the Guardian™ polymer substrate.
The bank’s existing family of notes already use Guardian™ and the new note complements the design and size of the other notes. Security features that are already familiar to Mauritanians have been incorporated into the design, which includes landmarks that are both of national and international importance.
The note illustrates two elements that the bank describes as emblematic of the country. The obverse of the note has the grand mosque of Gataga in the southern city of Kaedi, Built in 1946, it is one of the oldest mosques in the country.
The reverse side of the banknote meanwhile features a geological wonder, Guelb Errichat. Located in the north of the country, this unique structure is visible from space and is known worldwide as the Eye of Africa.
Project Description
The new note printed by Banque Centrale de Mauritanie printing partner Canadian Banknote Company and supported by CCL Secure was issued concurrently with the 20 Ouguiya coin that was introduced in 2018.
The bank’s existing family of notes already use Guardian™ and the new note complements the design and size of other notes. Security features that are already familiar to Mauritanians have been incorporated into the design, which includes landmarks that are both national and international importance.
The 20 Ouguiya note is the lowest denomination in the newest banknote series, the new note was introduced to provide the public with the flexibility in how they pay with cash. Further polymer banknotes can withstands extreme temperatures. It suffers relatively little from local circumstances, therefore Guardian™ polymer is ideal for high transactional low value denominations which are none absorbent and non-fibrous and they repel moisture which is idyllic solution for extreme temperatures.
The new 20 Ouguiya integrates various security features including two complex transparent windows, micro printing and intaglio printing.
Innovation and Uniqueness of Security Features
With two complex windows on the 20 Ouguiya banknote, security features include AURORA™ in the main window – a combination of two- colour switching inks used in the book and Islamic pattern. AURORA™ uses the colour switch effects of two inks that have the unique effect of being similar in reflection but differ when viewed in transmission. This gives public a fast and efficient method of authentication. The METALIX™ feature meanwhile is in gold in the background of the main window and in a half window that displays a crescent and star.
Further there is an embossed (tactile) feature for the visually impaired, a see-through register, intaglio printing and Microprinting, which is a tiny, clearly defined text that can be found in the note.
Integration of historical or local content that is relevant to the country
concerned
The new note compliments the design and size of the rest of the Guardian™ polymer series. One side of the note features the Great Mosque Gataga in Kaedi. Built in 1946, it is one of the oldest mosques in the country, its architecture, called Sudano-Sahelian is found in many old Islamic cities in sub-Saharan Africa. This type of architecture style remains a strong influence on contemporary African architects.
The other side feature a geological wonder, Guelb Errichat, also known as the “Eye of the Sahara” located in the north of the country, and this unique structure is visible from space. Geologists have concluded that the Eye of the Sahara is a geologic dome. The formation contains rocks that are atleast 100 million years old, and some date back to well before the appearance of life on earth
Effectiveness of the integration of security features into the banknote
Given the importance of the note and to highlight the design that it contains, it was decided to keep the banknote the same size as the 50 Ouguiya, as well as retain certain elements that enhance security.
The complex windows are enhanced by AURORA™ in the main window – a combination of two – colour switching inks used in the book and Islamic pattern. There is also a METALIX™ Gold in the background of the main window and in a half window that displays a crescent and star. The features highlight the design of the note whilst creating visually stunning effects around the windows.
Further there is an embossed (tactile) feature for the visually impaired, a see-through register, intaglio printing and Microprinting, which is a tiny, clearly defined text that can be found in the note.
Aesthetic appeal and overall design of the banknote or banknote series
A beautiful banknote which incorporates history, culture and geological wonders, the 20 Ouguiya banknote design compliments the rest of the polymer series which has been well received in Mauritania.
One side of the note features the Great Mosque Gataga in Kaedi. Built in 1946, it is one of the oldest mosques in the country, its architecture, called Sudano-Sahelian is found in many old Islamic cities in sub-Saharan Africa. This type of architecture style remains a strong influence on contemporary African architects.
The other side feature a geological wonder, Guelb Errichat, also known as the “Eye of the Sahara” located in the north of the country, and this unique structure is visible from space.
