Criminals are always motivated to counterfeit currency notes, especially higher denomination notes. Low-quality counterfeits are created using high-resolution scanners and printers whereas high-quality counterfeits are created using sophisticated currency printing presses and raw materials, often with the assistance of hostile nation states. Identifying counterfeit currency notes is a challenging problem that is hindered by the absence of a publicly-available database of genuine and counterfeit currency notes due to legal constraints. On November 8, 2016, the Government of India declared all 500 and 1,000 denomination notes of the Mahatma Gandhi Series as invalid tender. This research was able to collect and investigate genuine and counterfeit versions of the demonetized notes. Several new security features in the demonetized currency notes were identified and a database of microscope and scanner images has been created for forensic research.