Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

29 June 2022

2 min read

Two New Apps for Banknote Authentication

In May, we covered Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions’ two offerings for app-based banknote authentication and education. This month it is the turn of two more – from De Nederlandsche Bank and Orell Füssli Security Printing.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

29 June 2022

4 min read

JUMP™ – A Giant Leap Forward for Banknote Security and Beauty

Several studies have revealed how overt security features are not only more efficient, but are easy to recognise and authenticate, when they are well integrated in the banknote design.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

29 June 2022

4 min read

New Look, More Security for the Latest in a Long Line of Tunisian Banknotes

In April, the Central Bank of Tunisia completed the introduction of its latest series of four banknotes, the 11th since its inception in 1958, making it one of Africa’s most prolific banknote issuers.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

29 June 2022

4 min read

Recognising Outstanding Design and Innovation in EMEA Banknotes

The prestigious Regional Banknote and ID Document of the Year Awards form part of the industry’s High Security Printing EMEA conference.

Banknotes Events Free Free

Nikki Strickland

29 June 2022

5 min read

The Challenges of Measuring Banknote Lifetime

Banknote lifetime values need to be treated with care because it is easy to form misleading conclusions. The biggest challenge is ensuring that a fair comparison is being made and that comparisons are made on representative data. The before and after scenarios should be like-for-like.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

29 June 2022

2 min read

Pinball Wizard

Whilst Crane Currency is, or rather was, first and foremost a paper maker, it is also the developer of the micro-optics feature MOTION® and its derivatives for threads and, more recently, for surface-applied stripes.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 June 2022

2 min read

IBDA Announce ‘The Developers Lounge’ & ‘Cash Innovation Zone’ at the 6th IBDC

The primary focus of the 6th IBDC taking place in Dubrovnik, Croatia from 24-27 October 2022 is ‘Design Community Reconnect’.

Banknotes Events

Astrid Mitchell

1 June 2022

2 min read

Standing Secure with New Barbados Series

The Central Bank of Barbados has unveiled the designs of its new polymer banknote series, which will be introduced on 5 December, two days after it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Banknotes

Steve Craig

1 June 2022

3 min read

Currency and the Metaverse

Among the customary technical presentations and product launches at conferences, the one given by Komori at the recent Global Currency Forum on the topic of the metaverse was very much ‘out of the box’. Here Steve Craig of Komori explains what the metaverse is, and how Komori is looking at harnessing it for banknote production.

Banknotes Technology

Astrid Mitchell

1 June 2022

3 min read

Spain’s New Printworks Complete – Machinery Moves In

The construction of the Banco de España’s new printworks for IMBISA just outside Madrid – the first new state-owned printing plant in the EU in over 50 years – has now been completed, and work has started on moving in the new equipment.

Banknotes Central Banks

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2022

2 min read

The Innovation Keeps Flowing

As described in the Banknote of the Month feature in the February issue of Currency News™, Kazakhstan’s new 20,000 tenge is memorable on a number of fronts – not least because the use of the Durasafe® substrate enabled the first ever application of a stripe in a vertical orientation, but also because it is the world’s first circulating note to incorporate SICPA’s new SPARK Flow® feature.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2022

3 min read

Malawi’s New 5,000 Kwacha – Advanced Security for the Warm Heart of Africa

In their mandate to help maintain economic stability and confidence in the currency, central banks must continually evaluate the cash cycle imperatives and pressures for business and community in their countries.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2022

1 min read

Yet Another Award for Mexican Banknotes

The Banco de México has continued its award-winning streak with the International Bank Note Society (IBNS) Banknote of the Year award for 2021 for the 50 peso. It won the same award for 2020 for the new 100 peso. And both notes recently earned it the HSP Regional Banknote of the Year award.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2022

4 min read

Uzbekistan – Great Silk Road Reflected in Designs and Threads

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan issued a new series last year, based on the theme of the ‘Great Silk Road’ – the network of trade routes which played a central role in facilitating economic, cultural, political, and religious interactions between the East and West.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2022

2 min read

Connected Banknote Wins Digital Currency Award

Orell Füssli Security Printing and AUGENTIC’s Connected Banknote – the UTOPIAN DUAL – won the Advancement of Digital Currency Award at the Digital Currency Conference in Washington DC last month, which took place immediately after the Banknote & Currency Conference.

Banknotes Events

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2022

2 min read

More Caribbean Countries Switch to Polymer

The switch from paper to polymer banknotes in the Caribbean is gathering speed, with two countries announcing in March that they will be making the change.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2022

6 min read

The Future of Banknote Security – A Professor’s View

When handling cash, we normally glance at each banknote for less than a second. Central banks and banknote issuers are coming to realise that this brief glimpse provides a crucial opportunity for public authentication.

Banknotes Studies, Reports

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2022

2 min read

Fiji Celebrates Rugby Triumph at Olympics

The Reserve Bank of Fiji has issued a commemorative $7 banknote to celebrate the achievements of its Rugby 7s teams at the Tokyo Olympics, where the men’s and women’s teams picked up a gold and a bronze medal respectively.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2022

2 min read

New Security Ink Facility for India

The Reserve Bank of India has opened a new security ink manufacturing unit, VARNIKA, which will be operated by its subsidiary Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited in Mysore.

Banknotes Central Banks

Astrid Mitchell

3 March 2022

1 min read

Guyana’s Celebration of Independence

The Bank of Guyana has launched a new $2,000 banknote to mark the 55th anniversary of Guyana’s independence from the UK, in 1966. The release, which was delayed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the first Guyanese banknote to use polymer substrate.

Banknotes