2017-12-20

Central Bank of Tunisia Circular to Banks and Approved Intermediaries No. 2017-11 dated December 20, 2017

The Central Bank of Tunisia, through Circular No. 2017-11 dated December 20, 2017, mandates the issuance of a new twenty dinar banknote (2017 type) into circulation effective December 21, 2017. This banknote features a red-dominant color scheme, measures 153 mm by 76 mm, and incorporates advanced security elements including a windowed RAPID® thread, SparkLive color-shifting element, micro-printing, and ultraviolet-reactive fluorescent fibers. It will circulate concurrently with existing currency while maintaining full legal tender and discharge status alongside previous banknotes and coins.

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Tunis, December 20, 2017 CIRCULAR TO BANKS AND APPROVED INTERMEDIARIES NO. 2017-11 SUBJECT: Issuance into circulation of a new twenty dinar banknote (2017 type).


THE GOVERNOR OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF TUNISIA, Having regard to Law No. 2016-35 of April 25, 2016 establishing the statutes of the Central Bank of Tunisia and in particular Articles 13, 14, 15, and 63, paragraph 3; Having regard to the decision of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Tunisia dated February 1, 2017, deciding on the creation and issuance of a new twenty dinar banknote (2017 type); DECIDES: Article 1: The Central Bank of Tunisia will issue into circulation, effective December 21, 2017, a new Tunisian twenty dinar banknote (2017 type) with legal tender status and discharge capacity. Article 2: The banknote provided for in Article 1 of this circular contains the following main characteristics: Dimensions: 153 mm x 76 mm. Dominant color: red.

FRONT SIDE (RECTO)

  1. With intaglio printing:
  • Portrait of the martyr «FARHAT HACHED» (1914-1952);
  • At the top, the text «Central Bank of Tunisia» in Arabic and below it the denomination of the banknote in full words in Arabic;
  • In the middle, to the left of the portrait, the number «20» appears in large format and at the bottom, the issue date «25-7-2017»;
  • At the bottom, on the lower right and left edges, three horizontal lines for the visually impaired are easily recognizable by touch.
  1. With offset printing:
  • Floral motifs and arabesque elements appear in a stylized manner on the banknote's background;
  • The number «20» appears in the upper right corner.
  1. Post-printing varnishing: A layer of varnish protects both sides of the banknote against dirt and greasy substances.
  2. The serial and order numbers of the banknote consist of seven digits and appear at the bottom right and top left.
  3. At the bottom, to the right, are the signatures of the Bank Governor and the Deputy Governor.

BACK SIDE (VERSO)

  • At the top, the following text in French: «Central Bank of Tunisia»;
  • On the right, a close-up and partial view of the El Jem amphitheater, in the center a panoramic view of this monument and at the bottom, in the foreground, a Corinthian capital from the same monument;
  • Arabesque motifs appear in a stylized manner on the banknote's background;
  • At the bottom left, the nominal value of the banknote «TWENTY DINARS» in full French words;
  • At the top right, the text «20 Dinars» in Arabic and on the left, at the top the number «20» and at the bottom, the number «20» with the text «TWENTY DINARS».

SECURITY ELEMENTS

  1. On the front side and in addition to intaglio printing:
  • Watermark: located to the right of the banknote, it represents the portrait of «Farhat Hached» and below to the right, the number «20», which appear clearly when viewing the banknote through light;
  • Windowed security thread «RAPID®»: a three-dimensional thread 4.5 mm wide, placed to the right of the portrait parallel to the width of the banknote, appears discontinuously. Viewed through light, this thread is perceptible continuously. When tilting the banknote up and down, an optical effect occurs with the appearance of the number «20» and a dynamic movement of bars on a three-dimensional background;
  • «SparkLive» element: A circle located in the upper left corner containing the number «20» in its center and whose color shifts from gold to green depending on the viewing angle. This element presents a swirling effect causing, depending on the viewing angle, one or two rings to move around a central axis on a three-dimensional background.
  • Micro-printing: micro-printed text «TWENTY DINARS» below the portrait and in various locations on the four edges of the banknote;
  1. On the back side:
  • Iridescent coating: a reflective band, gold-colored, located in the right part of the banknote and containing, vertically, a series of the number «20». This band is particularly visible under certain angles and according to the tilt of the banknote;
  • Micro-printing: micro-printed text as follows:  the inscription «TWENTY DINARS» on the right and left edges of the banknote;  the text «THE EL JEM AMPHITHEATER» inscribed around the amphitheater located in the middle of the banknote; and  the inscription «CENTRAL BANK OF TUNISIA» on a diagonal line below the amphitheater located to the right. FRONT AND BACK SIDE:
  • Small circles scattered on both sides of the banknote, outside the watermark area, constituting a color anti-photocopier device; other elements appear on both sides of the banknote constituting an anti-scanner device;
  • A transvision element: The elements and colors of the arabesque motif located in the watermark area at the top on the front and back sides complement each other when viewing the banknote through light.

REACTION OF THE BANKNOTE WHEN EXPOSED TO ULTRAVIOLET RAYS

  • Appearance on both sides of the banknote, of fluorescent fibers in red, blue, green, and yellow colors;
  • Appearance on the front side, at the top left, of a green fluorescent geometric shape containing the number «20» and above it this number appears in green; at the bottom left, a green fluorescent floral motif appears containing the number «20» in red;
  • The serial and order number of the banknote, located at the top left, takes a green fluorescent color;

Article 3: The twenty dinar banknote (2017 type) will circulate concurrently with other banknotes and coins currently in circulation. /_E GOVERNOR, Chédly AYARI