Star Wars launches 1050 commemorative notes for 40th anniversary of film franchise

WITH just over a week left until the new Star Wars movie, a unique set of banknotes containing hidden features is set to be released.

STAR Wars fans take note — an official commemorative banknote packed with hidden features will be released this week ahead of the launch of The Last Jedi.

Just one thousand copies of the note will be sold on eBay with proceeds going to children’s charity, Together for Short Lives. Another 50 special edition hand-printed notes with serial numbers will also go to auction over the following 10 days.

The release marks the 40th anniversary of the Star Wars films, first released in 1977. It’s designed and made by global currency company De La Rue – the force behind the symbols and secure technology embedded in banknotes from countries around the world.

De La Rue’s creative director Julian Payne said the collector’s item features a “light and a dark side” that “really captures the essence of what the film is about”.

It’s printed on real cotton paper using the same techniques as actual currency.

“Within them are a number of features that we’ve sequestered within the design. Some of them are quite obvious, some of them are less obvious and you have to look very closely to spot them,” he said.

The note is printed using the same intricate and high security techniques as real currency.

The “dark side” features a number of hidden features visible under a UV light.

Spoiler alert! What the new #StarWars limited edition notes will look like @newscomauHQ #TheLastJedi pic.twitter.com/RAYAO79gIW

— Victoria Craw (@victoria_craw) December 4, 2017

And the dark side of the #StarWars #TheLastJedi limited edition notes released Thursday on @ebayukhq @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/kKta3BuESV

— Victoria Craw (@victoria_craw) December 4, 2017

These include pattern work of the First Order and Resistance emblems, hidden scenes that show up under UV light and a message in Aurebesh, one of the languages of the galaxy. They’re signed by director/writer Rian Johnson who said it was “incredibly exciting” to be part of the “one of a kind initiative”.

The notes will go to auction on eBay’s UK website from 8pm UK time on December 7 (7am Friday December 8 AEDT). The 1000 commemorative notes will have a “buy now” price of £100 ($177), while the special edition notes will be auctioned over 10 days.

One hundred per cent of proceeds go towards funding a network of hospices around the UK run by Together for Short Lives.

The note features a picture of Rey (Daisy Ridley) and is designed to mark 40 years of Star Wars filming in the UK which has made a huge contribution to the industry. Picture: David James.

Charity CEO Barbara Gelb OBE said the group was “absolutely delighted” to partner with Disney on the project that celebrates 40 years of Star Wars in the UK.

“These commemorative notes are sure to be a huge hit with Star Wars fans; such a fantastic way to raise some ‘real-world’ money to support seriously ill children and young people across the UK. Together for Short Lives will receive 100% of the income so please get bidding and be a Force for Change.”

Star Wars: The Last Jedi releases from 14 December 2017. The commemorative notes will be available from ebay.co.uk.

 

Originally published as Star Wars launches 1050 commemorative notes for 40th anniversary of film franchise