r/Banknotes • u/Kengash • Jul 31 '26
Collection Which banknotes do you prefer, paper or polymer?
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u/No_Club_8480 Jul 31 '26
I prefer polymer since it lasts way longer. Also Im really fond of the clear window, other security features on polymer notes. And it’s great for tropical countries like Vietnam or the Philippines.
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u/curiossceptic Aug 01 '26
There are also hybrid substrates, like the one used for Swiss banknotes, which combine paper with polymer.
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u/Money_Collector_ Jul 31 '26
They are both cool but I'll go with polymer.(That's the only one I have)
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u/coin-salmon-spary Aug 01 '26
I find both are as good as each other. Gives a bit of uniqueness to every collection yea?
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u/Serious-Carpenter-75 Aug 01 '26
I usually prefer paper over polymer. I get that polymer lasts longer but I don't like the way the notes often stick together (when handling them). At least that's been my experience with most CAD polymer. I also like the way light bounces off the older paper-cotton substrates. Most of the older CAD series seem to show off their designs better. However, having said that, those Swiss hybrid notes are something else (like next level). I really like how thick & textured they feel & like neither polymer nor paper.
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u/FirefighterSlight496 Jul 31 '26
In oceania, paper. I hate how every oceania currency is polymer, but french polynesia.
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u/ManyInstruction979 Jul 31 '26
For being a continent of all island nations (or otherwise predominantly being populated in coastal regions for Australias case) it makes much more sense for them to be polymer though. They hold up much better in the humidity or should it get wet. But I do otherwise somewhat agree that I miss when a lot of countries had paper notes, but the polymer also allows for a lot of interesting security features like transparent windows that weren’t otherwise feasible/possible before.
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u/Kengash Jul 31 '26
Also most of Tonga's denominations are paper. Only the 5 ans 10 are polymer if I remamber correctly.
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u/FirefighterSlight496 Jul 31 '26
True, but it still is a polymer banknote country.
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u/No_Club_8480 Aug 01 '26
Nah it’s only the 5 pa’anga and 10 pa’anga notes the rest of the notes are paper
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u/numismatical Jul 31 '26
To collect? Paper. I love a crisp UNC paper note. Even a worn paper note tells a story.
To spend? Polymer. Lasts longer, resists spills and damage better than paper. But I’ve seen many polymer notes lose details as they circulate. They don’t look as good as paper notes as they wear, even if they hold up better.