Iran's Central Bank has revealed images of the new IRR2mn (200,000 toman) banknote featuring enhanced security features, Fars cited a bank announcement on March 13.

The new Iran Cheque note, worth approximately $2.15 at the current exchange rate of IRR929,000 to the dollar, displays Iranian 95-year-old artist Mahmoud Farshchian's polo design and incorporates several advanced security elements. When initially announced in 2008, the note was worth $50, adding to the woes of shoppers in the country. 

The release comes after locals urged the CBI to print out larger denomination bills as the currency continues to slide against the dollar. However, after years of delay, the note's value is now effectively a small change value. The release of the notes has been timed during Ramadan and ahead of the national Nowruz Persian New Year holiday on March 20, where notes are often given among family members. 

The most prominent feature is a windowed security thread with shifting colours that changes from gold to green when viewed from different angles, also displaying the Central Bank logo and "I.R.IRAN" text.

The banknote includes magnetic colour-shifting ink on its reverse side, where the Latin numeral "200" changes from gold to green when tilted. A luminous strip has also been incorporated as a horizontal band on the back of the note, becoming visible when the note is tilted.

A watermark and electrotype showing a three-dimensional image of part of Isfahan's Imam Mosque minaret along with the Latin number "200" are hidden within the paper and become visible when held against light.

The paper contains invisible fluorescent fibres that appear in blue, red, green, and yellow colours under ultraviolet light.

Additional security features include serial numbers printed with red and green fluorescent ink that change to golden-yellow and bright green under ultraviolet light, microprinting visible only with magnification, and three-dimensional line design (Medaline) that creates an embossed appearance.

The Central Bank has now added the image of the new banknote among its current circulation notes on its website. 

In 2021, the CBI introduced an Iranian rial IRR1mn “cheque note” (worth $4.10 at the time), claiming it is more secure against forgery given additional security features.