On Monday, December 2, 2024, in accordance with Section 35 of the Bank of Mauritius Act 2004, the Bank of Mauritius issued a new 1000-rupee polymer banknote.
The new polymer banknote closely resembles the existing paper note, but it includes new security elements including a dodo within a transparent window and a SPARK Flow® PRIME security feature. The SPARK Flow® PRIME feature exhibits three visual characteristics with optical brightness, color-shifting gold to green and dynamic light effects. This makes visual authentication intuitive and easily identifiable. An iridescent band is also included on the reverse of the new banknote.
The new 1000-rupee polymer banknotes will circulate alongside the current paper banknotes, both of which remain legal tender. The bank is collaborating closely with financial institutions and cash handlers to ensure a smooth transition to the new banknotes.
Additionally, the denominations of 100 and 200 rupees are being converted to polymer and will be issued in 2025. These new banknotes also feature an image of a dodo but with a Swing™ security feature. Swing™ combines different iridescent colors on a transparent window. The transparent windows are in the shape of an egg, integrated into the design on both sides of the banknotes.
The security feature Securicoat™ is used on all three denominations. It is a first-level security feature consisting of two printed varnishes, matt and glossy. The matt varnish is used underneath and the glossy varnish on top as the superimposed motif. The contrast between these two varnishes in visible in indirect light.
The images on the three polymer banknotes are the same as their paper counterparts:
- 100 Rupees: Renganaden Seeneevassen (1910-1958), a Mauritian politician and government minister (front) and the Supreme Court building in Port Louis (reverse).
- 200 Rupees: Minister Abdool Razack Mohamed (1906-1978), an Indian-born former senior minister in the pre- and post-independence cabinet of Mauritius (front) and stalls at Port Louis Central Market (reverse).
- 1000 Rupees: Sir Charles Gaëtan Duval QC (1930-1996), a Mauritian barrister, statesman and politician who was the leader of the Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate (PMSD) political party (front) and Château du Réduit, the official residence of the President of Mauritius (reverse).
The new issues are printed by Oberthur Fiduciaire on the Guardian™ polymer substrate.
