IACA Excellence in Currency Awards 2023

The Currency Conference gala dinner on 16 May hosted the presentation of the latest International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) 2021 Technical Excellence in Currency Awards.

32 nominations were submitted in four categories, from which a shortlist of 15 nominations was drawn up by the judging panel. IACA members then voted on the winner in each category.

Best New Banknote or Banknote Series

• Banco Central de Costa Rica – 10,000 and 1000 colón banknotes

• Banco de México – 50 peso banknote

• Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – 1000 piso banknote

• Bank Indonesia – 2022 rupiah banknote series

• Central Bank of Bahamas – new CRISP Evolution series $100 banknote.

The winner was Bank Indonesia for its new series, issued in 2022 to coincide with the 77th anniversary of independence. The series was a collaboration between the Indonesia banknote printer Perum Peruri and various feature and substrate suppliers, including Crane, Fase, Goznak, Hueck Folien, Landqart, Louisenthal, Portals, Pura Barutama and SICPA.

The theme of the series – which comprises seven denominations – is ‘Uniting Diversity’, representing Indonesia’s diverse culture and beautiful landscapes as an archipelago country.

The new series features enhanced security features and designs portraying national heroes and flora on the front, and images of Indonesian cultural themes: traditional dances, landscapes, and flora on the reverse.

Best New Coin or Coin Series

• Bank of Ghana and The Royal Mint – GH₵1 circulating coin

• Central Bank of Liberia and The Royal Mint – 5 Liberian dollar coin

• Royal Canadian Mint – $2 circulation coin in memory of Queen Elizabeth

• The Royal Mint – the 50p HM King Charles III coin.

The winner was the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) for the $2 coin issued in December 2022 in memory of the late Queen, and is distinguished by its black outer ring reminiscent of a mourning armband.

The black colour is the result of a treatment applied to the standard nickel-plated steel $2 circulation coins. It was produced during the plating of the outer ring of the $2 coin blank. A nickel alloy finish was applied, with a proprietary chemical interaction turning the nickel black as part of the electroplating process.

Over 5 million of the coins were initially produced at RCM’s facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba facility, with the potential to manufacture more on demand.

Best New Currency Public Engagement Program

• Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – 1,000 piso polymer banknote public engagement program 

• Central Bank of Barbados – ‘Standing Secure: 2022 Polymer Banknote Series’ program 

• Royal Canadian Mint – commemorative circulation $1 coin celebrating Oscar Peterson.

The winner was Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the programme supporting the issue of the 1,000 piso polymer banknote in April 2022, designed to inform the public about the benefits, design, and security features of the new banknotes.

The engagement program was tailored to specific stakeholder profiles and proactively utilised consultations with potential champions and industry stakeholders, social media materials, a webpage, press releases, roadshows and training sessions, info sheets, and audiovisual presentations.

Best New Environmental Sustainability Program for Currency

• Giesecke+Devrient – the Green Banknote

• INORCOAT – new green PVD coating technology for intaglio printing plates

• CCL Secure – zero waste to landfill & energy reduction program.

The winner was Giescke+Devrient for the Green Banknote, a sustainable product solution for banknotes. It reduces the ecological footprint of a banknote by using certified natural fibres, optimising the use of recycled plastics, using mineral oil free inks and an efficient production process, thus making a real contribution to climate protection.

The Green Banknote was released in 2022. To date, two countries have placed orders of two denominations for delivery in 2023.

Full details of each of the winners can be found on the IACA website – www.currencyaffairs.org.