What happens if a banknote has written or scribbled for legal purposes of the same?

Writings, drawings and scribbles on banknotes have always been tolerated by those who receive cash. If you remember the old lire, then almost certainly you will have encountered a 1000 lire banknote scribbled or with some notes written on it.

But a banknote with writing is still valid? In other words, can a shopkeeper refuse to accept ruined or scribbled money as a payment? A banknote detector can recognize banknotes with writing?

Let’s find out together below.

The Circular of the European Central Bank of 2003

The answer to the questions we asked before is contained in this ECB circular which establishes that in general the branches of the Bank of Italy are required to replace written or damaged money with other intact ones. However, this can happen in two cases, that is only if:

• the owner is in good faith (that is, he is not the author of the writing);
• if it is a matter of modest damages, that is small writings, numbers or notes.

If these circumstances are not respected, the Bank of Italy can refuse to replace them by retaining the damaged banknote. Obviously much depends on which operator of the Banca d’Italia you will face: these measures are in fact largely discretionary.

Is the seller obliged to accept a written banknote?

Although the banknotes are written, the banknotes therefore have the same effectiveness as the unwritten ones, at least until they are withdrawn by the Bank. However, it is not the seller’s obligation to accept them unless they are small and negligible in relation to the size of the card. In fact, the creditor is not required to bear the risk of a possible refusal by the authorities to exchange the banknote

Is it legal to write on the banknotes?

Yes, unless the content of the sentences configures some crime (for example racism, apology of fascism etc.). However, we want to reassure you since among the most frequent “decorations” that are made on banknotes there are colored mustaches and beards on the faces of the portrayed characters, insults to the banking system.

If instead you want to write on the banknote the phone number of the ex girlfriend or girlfriends know that it is illegal, so be careful!

A money detector can recognize banknotes with writing?

The answer to this question is yes! For a bill counter it makes no difference whether a banknote is scribbled or not so you can use them safely in these cases without fear of anything … as long as the banknote in question is true!

In this regard, you can take a look at the professional banknote counters of www.sdsp.it clicking here!