We last reviewed this post on September 18th, 2025
When traveling to Argentina, many visitors worry about receiving fake money. The truth is, counterfeit bills are not a widespread issue. With this guide, you will learn exactly how to spot fake argentine pesos 2025 with just a quick look at a few security features.
This guide will show you the main features to check on Argentine pesos, highlight the newest banknotes, and give you practical money tips for your trip.
Table of Contents
Quick Guide: How to Check a Banknote in 10 Seconds
Feel it → Run your fingers over the main portrait, numbers, and letters. Real bills have a raised, textured feel.
Look at it against the light → A watermark image (usually a portrait or a bird) should appear inside the paper.
Tilt it → The bill’s value number should shift colors.
Find the thread → A vertical ribbon with BCRA and the note’s value becomes visible as a continuous line when you hold the bill up to the light.
If the bill doesn’t pass these tests, do not accept it.
Main Security Features of Argentine Pesos Explained
1. Intaglio Printing (Tactile Relief)
This is the hardest feature to counterfeit. Run your fingers across the main portrait, numbers, and text—you should feel a raised texture on the ink. Fake bills invariably feel flat and smooth.
2. Watermark
Each banknote has a faint image inside the paper that is visible when held to the light. This image is usually a matching portrait or a symbolic figure, making counterfeiting much harder. For example, in our video we show an AR$100 note with Evita Perón’s portrait, where both the printed and the watermark portraits match.
3. Optical Variability Ink
Tilt the bill slightly and you’ll see the denomination number change color. The exact colors depend on the note’s value. This is a crucial check for spotting fakes in higher denominations:
- On the AR$10,000 bill, the number shifts from.
- On the AR$20,000 bill, it changes from magenta to green.
4. Security Thread
All banknotes include a thin, metallic vertical ribbon woven into the paper. Hold the bill up to the light to see the thread appear as a continuous line showing the text BCRA and the note’s denomination. (Note: On the newest high-value bills, the thread also has special dynamic effects when tilted.)
Newest Banknotes in Circulation
To keep up with inflation, the new argentine banknotes 2024 and 2023 have been issued:
AR$2000 (Released May 2023)
AR$10,000 (Released May 2024)
AR$20,000 (Released November 2024)
Why aren’t fake notes common? Even the highest value note—the AR$20,000—is typically worth under USD 15. This limited value, combined with strong security features, is the primary reason why large-scale counterfeiting is not a major problem in Argentina.
👉 Curious about why Argentina keeps printing larger notes? Read our Economy Index guide to understand inflation and daily costs in Buenos Aires.
Coins in Argentina
Yes, coins still exist (AR1,AR2, AR5,AR10). But due to inflation, their value has become so tiny that they’re sometimes treated as collectible metal rather than money. Let’s just say: nobody bothers to counterfeit them. If you end up with coins, don’t expect them to buy much more than a single piece of candy.
Money Tips for Travelers in Argentina
Learn about exchange rates → Argentina has multiple rates: the official one, the dólar blue, and transfer options like Western Union.
See our full guide on the dólar blue and Western Union for practical tips.
Be aware of ATM fees → Banks often charge very high commissions on foreign card withdrawals. Always check your bank’s policy before relying on ATMs.
Keep your cash organized → Separate your bills when carrying them so you don’t have to pull out all your money at once in public.
Check your change → Always take a quick look at the bills you receive, especially in taxis, kiosks, or bars.
FAQ: Everything Tourists Need to Know About Fake Money in Argentina
Is counterfeiting common in Argentina for banknotes?
No. Fake pesos are not widespread. With their strong security features argentine pesos and relatively low value, counterfeit notes are rare.
Which Argentine peso banknotes should tourists check most carefully to avoid a fake argentine 10000 note or AR$20,000 note?
Focus on the highest value bills: AR10,000andAR20,000. These are the notes you’ll use most for hotels, restaurants, and tours. Even so, remember the AR$20,000 note is worth less than USD 15 (September 2025)
How can travelers tell if an Argentine peso bill is fake?
Check the four main features: the raised relief texture (feel), the watermark (look at the light), the color-changing ink (tilt), and the metallic security thread (move under the light). If one of these features is missing, the note is probably fake.
Can I use U.S. dollars in Buenos Aires instead of pesos?
Some tourist-oriented places like hotels or upscale restaurants may accept dollars. However, most shops, cafés, and services only accept pesos, since they mainly serve locals. Where dollars are accepted, you’ll usually get a poor exchange rate compared to using pesos.
Do Argentine peso coins get counterfeited?
No. Coins are practically worthless because of inflation, and nobody bothers to counterfeit them.
✅ With this quick guide, you can feel confident using cash in Argentina. Focus on enjoying your trip—and let the pesos take care of themselves!