as sharper colours and new features to foil the counterfeiter.

Attractive Bermudian motifs are also incorporated in the newer series which will supplement existing designs which will be gradually be withdrawn as they age.

All the new notes feature a see-through wave around the tuna fish watermark.

Vertical numbering will also provide the computer counterfeiter with huge problems.

Michele Cory-Smith, of UK firm De La Rue Currency, who designed and printed the new series, said: "It's very easy with modern equipment to cut and paste a number, but with vertical number of different sizes it's an awful lot of work.

"What has been improved significantly are the pictures on the back, the colours are much sharper.

"They are very pretty notes. They have to be aesthetically pleasing and tell the story of Bermuda but they also have to be a secure document.

"We did a lot of research -- the new flora and fauna on the bottom of the notes are all indigenous to Bermuda. It took about a year putting it all together.'' Other changes include: Lower denominations ($2, $5, $10 and $20) contain the word "Bermuda'' within the woven security thread. Higher denominations ($50 and $100) have the letters "BMA'' within the security thread.

A black section on the $20 will show light when tilted one way and dark when tilted the other.

A hologram in the shape of a dinghy is included on the $50 note, when tilted this shows the letters BMA or the number 50, depending on the angle it is held.

An intaglio gold image of Burnaby House appears on the $100 note -- it also has an upgraded security thread which fluoresces differently depending on which side fluorescent light is aimed at it.

All the notes have a newer portrait of the Queen. The present notes come from a 1975 photograph while the new notes are based on a 1992 picture.