BI Says Rupiah is the Second Most Secure and Difficult to Counterfeit Currency in the World

Bank Indonesia (BI) claims that the decline in the counterfeit currency circulation ratio in Indonesia to nearly 1 piece per million (ppm)—meaning one fake note per million rupiah—is due to the implementation of advanced technology in the Garuda currency. BI Deputy Governor Ricky P. Gozali stated that the development of technology within the rupiah makes Indonesia’s currency difficult to counterfeit. “That’s extraordinary. This is inseparable from the close synergy and strengthening on the technology side, making it easy to recognise and hard to fake,” said Ricky at the Bank Indonesia Fake Rupiah Destruction Press Conference, Wednesday (13/5/2026). Moreover, Ricky noted that the quality of the rupiah has been recognised worldwide, evidenced by the award for the Rp50,000 denomination from the 2022 emission as the best note series at the IACA Currency Award 2023. Additionally, the rupiah is the world’s most secure and difficult-to-counterfeit currency in terms of security features. “The Rp50,000 note from the 2022 emission, awarded in November 2024, achieved second place globally for the most secure and hard-to-fake denomination, comprising 17 advanced security features,” said Ricky. In line with this development, based on our research, the quality of counterfeit money currently is very low, making it easy for the public to identify through 3D methods. On the other hand, the role of the public is increasingly vital in eradicating fake money, so BI continues to campaign the movement of love, understanding, and pride in the rupiah. Ricky also added that BI urges the public to always take good care of rupiah notes by applying the ‘5 don’ts’: don’t fold, don’t scribble on, don’t staple, don’t crumple, and don’t wet them. According to CNBC Indonesia records, the 2022 Emission Year (TE) Rupiah notes, consisting of seven denominations—Rp100,000, Rp50,000, Rp20,000, Rp10,000, Rp5,000, Rp2,000, and Rp1,000—have been named by the International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) as the best new banknote series at the 17th Currency Award 2023 in Mexico (16/5/2023). Previously, the rupiah stood alongside four other finalists: the Central Bank of Costa Rica, the Central Bank of Mexico, the Central Bank of the Philippines, and the Central Bank of the Bahamas. The winner’s evaluation criteria included innovation and uniqueness of security features, integration of historical elements with local content related to the issuing country, effectiveness of security feature integration, and aesthetics of the note’s appearance and design. This top achievement for the 2022 TE Rupiah in the global award represents an affirmation from the international community of the quality of Indonesia’s rupiah. This success continues from previous accomplishments, such as the Rp75,000 Independence 75th Anniversary Commemorative Note as a finalist for best commemorative at the 2022 Currency Award. The IACA Currency Awards recognise achievements in the development and innovation of the cash payment sector, participated in by 29 countries in 2023.