Shenzhen Phony Money - revised 10-26-08

There is a lot of high quality counterfeit money floating around China. I was given some in change at a restaurant near the hotel in Shenzhen. For more specific information on how to spot it, go to: http://www.xian-travel.com/china-travel-guides/chinesemoney/ For the executive summary, click on "Read More"

Look for a darker "water mark" of the denomination under the serial number (lower left corner) -- it should be almost invisible until you hold it up to the light. The same applies to the watermark on the left side (Chairman Mao on the 100 RMB) which is distinct on real currency. For me, the easiest way to detect the "funny money" is to scratch Mao's hair. You feel texture on the real bills; on the phony ones his hair feels smooth.