Indonesia 100 rupiah 1984

Can someone explain to me the difference between the p-122a (engraved) from the 122b (lithograph)? How do I know which is which? Thank you.

I will try to answer your question but (unfortunately) I have no conclusive evidence to support what I have written below other than what I've observed. It's just pure conjecture from a little bit of snooping around the net.

First off, you cannot actually visually distinguish (eyeball) an engraved note from a lithographed example. In Canada, we had the change occur on our Ones & Twos around the same time as when this Indonesian 100 Rupiah was issued (1984). They actually tested the lithographed backs (a cheaper printing method) on test notes (but I digress). They changed printing techniques in mid prefix (so we know that up to ___ # notes had engraved backs & after ___# they were lithographed for prefixes AFF, EAK). The only way one can actually know is if this type of data which was passed on to collectors. The Bank of Canada provided the change-over serial number data to Charlton (our catalogue who published it) & that's why we know & I'm unsure how helpful my best guess can be. I cannot find any change-over point on either the SCWPM, the banknote museum nor any other site at the moment.

From checking with the banknote museum P-122a is likely prefix AAA to HAA (assuming there's no IAA) but the change-over could be before this. If you check out their example, P-122b prefix is KBQ & I found this P-122b listed (deduced) by PMG on eBay. It happens to have prefix JAD & I believe that PMG would exercised due diligence to ascertain the exact change-over point. Unfortunately, there's more eBay sellers who have listed their P-122's (100 Rupiahs) as the first (a) version incorrectly which certainly doesn't help clarify where the change-over point is. If there's somebody from Indonesia, who has a catalogue or better info, it would help define that change-over point.

There might be microscopic differences but I am pretty sure you have to know your stuff about printing as well as the banknote motives pretty well.

My 3 notes have QVC prefixes. From what you said, I can, with some certainty, that they are the 122B's. If anyone finds out anything that might change this, please let me know. I appreciate the responses. Have a good day.

In my collection I supposedly have both 122a and 122b. I really don't remember where this conclusion came from or who helped me to this conclusion. My possible 122a which should be engraved has serial # FGU000381. And my possible 122b which should be lithography has serial # ZYN104655. When you look on the back at the top and the words "BANK INDONESIA", the engraved version 122a seems to be more solidly colored than the lithography version. I realize this could just be a result of poor quality printing in Indonesia. There is also a definite difference in the color of red that was used on these notes. I'm not sure if that has any bearing on the printing change or if someone just got lazy with the ink matching. The blue lines of the water are different colors also. I would not claim these to be gospelly different unless other collectors could verify the same differences in their notes. If those of us who own any of these notes could report what they have perhaps we could find a true way to tell the difference and even maybe list the prefixes that truly belong to each version.

"In my collection I supposedly have both 122a and 122b. I really don't remember where this conclusion came from or who helped me to this conclusion. My possible 122a which should be engraved has serial # FGU000381. And my possible 122b which should be lithography has serial # ZYN104655."

-I believe you have P-122a & 122b based on your prefixes "Travman." I also must agree with "blue-m" that there does seem to be a slight difference in the colours (under prints) of each version. I just thought it would be too difficult to use such subtle differences as a guide to determine which is which. I also agree with "Idolenz" that if you were to put the note under a microscope then I'm sure the differences would leap at one. However, I wrote about "eye-balling a note" in circulated avg condition & that's where it could become difficult.

It would be nice if there was more data but I can say for certain that there are several eBay sellers who are misattributing their notes (more of them listing their P-122b's as P-122a's than vice versa).

If you run a fingertip over a litho note you will encounter a very smooth feeling piece of paper. If you run a fingertip over an intaglio printed note you will feel the ridges of the raised ink. In the USA, this is how bank tellers do quick checks for counterfeits, by running the notes between thumb and finger. If you feel nothing, then you should take a second look at the note. Once you confirm you have a litho and intaglio version you can clearly see which is which. While this design from Indonesia is popular for this, North Korean 5 and 10 Won notes also are both litho and intaglio. I believe the effect is on certain Argentinian notes as well.