New way to pay with plastic: Canada debuts plastic $50 bills in ATMS

Carney at ATM featuring new plastic notes.
(Courtesy CP) 

Canada debuted the first plastic $50 bill.  This follows the $100 plastic note was released in November of 2011. $20, $10 and $5 notes are expected to be released throughout 2013.

The $50 note features two transparent areas—one in the shape of a maple leaf while the other that extends from top to bottom of the bank note utilising complex holographic features to enhance security, to counteract counterfeiting's rapid evolution in sophistication by use of available technology.

Existing $100 Bill

 Issuing this new series of bank notes enables us to continue to stay ahead of counterfeiters,” Governor Carney said. “And by regularly checking the leading-edge security features on these new notes, Canadians can help protect themselves from counterfeiting threats,” said Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of Canada, who cited a dramatic drop in counterfeiting