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 eligible¹ designs from a record 20 countries. 

 

新西兰5元纸币近日被国际纸币学会评为2015年度最佳纸币，在近40种参评纸币中“轻松取胜”。参与此次评选的有20个国家，开创了新纪录。
 

 

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 Guardian² 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 penguin³ and local flora⁴.

 

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 "artistic⁵ merit and/or innovative⁶ 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 "stunning⁷ orange and brown" design and its "gorgeous polymer window".

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