Fly Out, Turtle In: Optiks Gives Way to Holographic Foil on Seychelles 500 Rupee

The Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) has introduced an upgraded version of its highest-value banknote, the 500 Seychellois rupee (SCR), replacing the superwide Optiks thread (which has now been discontinued as a security feature) with a holographic stripe. The new 500 rupee banknotes entered circulation in December 2025.

The 2016 version of the 500 rupee featured the Optiks thread with a transparent oval window. This window displayed the Seychelles vinegar fly and served as a key anti-counterfeiting feature.

The stripe runs vertically on the note and the turtle in question is a Hawksbill, one of Seychelles’ most recognisable marine species. The turtle appears to move through stylised waves when the note is tilted. The effect is sharp, bright, and easy to verify with the naked eye.