At a glance
New Zealand's five dollar note has been named the banknote of 2015 by the International Bank Note Society -- a "clear winner" among nearly 40 eligible designs from a record 20 countries
New Zealand's five dollar note has been named the banknote of 2015 by the International Bank Note Society -- a "clear winner" among nearly 40 eligible designs from a record 20 countries
Scottish Clydesdale Bank's five pound note, Sweden's 20 kronor note, Russia's 100 rouble note and Kazakhstan's 20,000 tenge note emerged as runners-up, the Guardian reported
New Zealand's $5, printed by a Canadian company, shows mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary (the first man to summit Mount Qomolangma) facing the South Island's Aoraki/Mount Cook and, on the other side, a rare yellow-eyed penguin and local flora
To be eligible, a banknote must have been issued for the first time during the year of the award, and be in general circulation. It is assessed for its "artistic merit and/or innovative security features", including use of colour, contrast and balance
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand had released the new $5 and $10 notes in October last year
"The note incorporates some of the world's most advanced security features, yet still beautifully showcases New Zealand's history, culture and heritage," said the bank
The International Bank Note Society, which awards the honour every year, praised the "stunning orange and brown" design and its "gorgeous polymer window"
