In Other News…

• The Monetary Authority of Macao, together with the country’s two note issuing banks – Bank of China and Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU) – have held a presentation to unveil a new series of banknotes with enhanced features for security and the visually impaired.

The first two denominations in the new series, the 10 and 20 patacas, will be issued in the first quarter of 2024. The other denominations – the 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 patacas – will follow two at a time in 2025 and 2026.

The horizontal design, overall colour palette and dimensions will remain as per the current series, which was issued in 2005 and 2008 by the BNU and Bank of China respectively. The two sets of notes will, however, have eight standardised security features, including – for the 10 and 20 patacas – holographic security threads and OVMI. They will also include raised lines and braille for the visually impaired.

In terms of design, the Bank of China notes will feature the Southern Lion as the principal image on the front, which represents the spirit of Macao, and different buildings or icons, which represent Macau’s historical heritage on the reverse.

In the BNU’s new series, the main image on the font will be an elevation of the old and new facades of its headquarters, with maps of Macao over time on the reverse.

• The Czech National Bank has put into circulation a new version of the CZK 5,000 banknote. It has the same parameters and security features as the 1999 and 2009 version, which will remain legal tender, but is being issued because of changes to technology at the state printer, Statni Tiskarna Cenin.

The existing CZK notes will be withdrawn as they wear out, although this will take time since, as the highest denomination in the Czech series, they last the longest. With fewer than 29 million notes in circulation, they represent around 5.5% of the total of 525 million circulating banknotes.

• The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority has issued a limited edition $70 commemorative banknotes to honour both the platinum jubilee) of the late Queen Elizabeth II last year, and the first anniversary of her death.

Inspired by her 70-year reign, the banknote showcases three distinct portraits of Her Majesty, including a depiction of her historic visit to the Cayman Islands in 1983. The reverse displays the Cayman Islands coat of arms and the late Queen's royal cipher, symbolising her reign from 1952 to 2022.

The $70 banknote was printed by De La Rue and limited to 10,000 pieces. It will not enter general circulation. To ensure widespread access, purchases are limited to 10 banknotes per person.

Each banknote features a unique serial number and bears the special designation of ‘Q/1’ to signify its status as a commemorative edition.

• The Bank of Russia introduced new 1,000 and 5,000 ruble notes at the beginning of October, but within days had to suspend the former due to objections to one of the design elements.
  
  

The theme of the new series is cities and federal districts throughout Russia.

The new 1,000 ruble is dedicated to Nizhny Novgorod and the Volga Federal District, while the 5,000 ruble is dedicated to Yekaterinburg and the Urals Federal District.

Both banknotes carry a QR code with a link to the Bank’s website providing detailed information about their design and security features. These include a new optically variable security thread (VFI, or visual formed image) in a shaped window, which is also present in the 2,000 ruble issued in 2017. The new 200 ruble was also issued in 2017, and the new 100 ruble last year.

The design of the new 1,000 ruble met with fierce opposition from the Russian Orthodox Church regarding the depiction of what is now a museum. It used to be a church, from the top of which the cross has been removed in the image. Modifications will be made to the design before it is reissued, at which point it will complete the introduction of the new series.

• The Central Bank of Solomon Islands has now launched a limited-edition $10 commemorative banknote to commemorate the XVII Pacific Games 2023, which will be held in the country’s capital, Honiara, in November.

The new note has been printed on SAFEGUARD® polymer by De la Rue. It retains the same dimensions, colour and most of the features of the circulating $10 paper note, but with a window featuring the head of the eagle head and the Pacific Games logo. The reverse showcases athletes participating in various sports of the Games.

The commemorative banknote is legal tender and will co-circulate with its paper counterpart.

• The Australian government has released the effigy of HM King Charles III, which will soon start appearing on circulating coins produced by the Royal Australian Mint.

The first coin to have the King’s effigy will be the $1 coin. The coins will start appearing in banks across the country before the end of the year. The other denominations will be progressively released in 2024, based on bank demand.