You had one responsibility! Eagle-eyed Australian spots a TYPO on the new $50 note – but it's nearly impossible to spot

  • New note was brought into circulation in October 2018, with high-tech features
  • For all the cutting-edge features, one basic design component was overlooked
  • The word 'responsibility' in a speech by Edith Cowan is misspelled on the note 

An embarrassing spelling mistake has been spotted on the new Australian $50 note. 

The new note was brought into circulation in October 2018, with features to help visually impaired people distinguish between different denominations.

The notes also have a top-to-bottom clear window and dynamic features such as a reversing number and a flying bird.

An eagle-eyed Triple M listener spotted a mistake on the note and tipped the radio station off.

An embarrassing spelling mistake has been spotted on the new Australian $50 note

For all of the cutting-edge features, one basic design component was overlooked as the word 'responsibility' is misspelled as 'responsibilty' - although it is almost impossible to spot at first glance as the text is extremely small.

The word is part of a speech by Australia's first female politician Edith Cowan, whose portrait is featured on the note.

'I stand here today in the unique position of being the first woman in an Australian parliament. It is a great responsibility,' she said in her speech.

The misspelling is included twice on the note as text from Ms Cowan's speech is repeated in the design.

A Reserve Bank of Australia spokesman said they were aware of the error.

'The spelling will be corrected at the next print run,' he said. 

All of the new $50 banknotes have four tactile dots along the long edge to help blind or low-vision people.

At the time the note was introduced, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said it had extensive security features.

For all of the cutting-edge features, one basic design component was overlooked as the word 'responsibility' is misspelled as 'responsibilty'

For all of the cutting-edge features, one basic design component was overlooked as the word 'responsibility' is misspelled as 'responsibilty'

'This latest and important upgrade not only marks a hugely significant step towards equal access to society for people who are blind or have low vision, but also incorporates new, innovative security features that further protect against counterfeiting,' Mr Frydenberg said. 

'The application of the tactile features to the $50 note is particularly important given that it's the most widely circulated banknote, with 46 per cent of all banknotes in circulation being the $50 note.

'I believe, the implementation of the tactile features would have made David Unaipon and Edith Cowan proud.'  

At the time the note (pictured) was introduced, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said it had extensive security features

At the time the note (pictured) was introduced, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said it had extensive security features 

 

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Eagle-eyed Australian spots a TYPO on the new $50 note – but it’s nearly impossible to spot

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