Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2026

2 min read

São Tomé and Príncipe Celebrates with Remarkable New Note

The Central Bank of São Tomé and Príncipe has issued a commemorative 50 dobra banknote marking 50 years of independence, printed on Q&T High-Tec's PolySecure polymer substrate by Royal Joh Enschedé — notable as the first issuance of that substrate outside Vietnam.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

26 July 2026

2 min read

Liberia to Revert to Banknotes for Lowest Denominations

According to local reports, the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has dropped plans to mint new L$5 and L$10 (Liberian dollar) coins under its L$79 billion programme to replace and increase its currency stocks. Following widespread public complaints, both denominations are expected to return as paper notes.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

26 July 2026

2 min read

Mongolia Goes Green

The Central Bank of Mongolia (BOM) has chosen a sustainability path for its banknotes by issuing three of its denominations on Louisenthal’s Green LongLife™ substrate.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

20 July 2026

3 min read

Polymer Moves Step Closer in India

After years of discussion and speculation, practical steps are now being taken to trial polymer for Indian banknotes. Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India, has issued a global expression of interest for the manufacture and supply of opacified polymer substrate sheets with advanced security features.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

16 July 2026

1 min read

De La Rue Wins Contract to Print Denmark’s New Series

Danmarks Nationalbank has announced that it has entered into an agreement with De La Rue for the production of the upcoming new Danish banknote series. The agreement runs for a minimum of six years, with the possibility of extension, and the new Danish banknotes will be produced at De La Rue's production facility outside London.

Banknotes

■ Yana Kisselova-Weckerle

1 July 2026

4 min read

WYSIWYG – Qualifying Banknote Security Dynamics

Banknote security shouldn’t be boring – it must engage people. Let’s start with a simple concept WYSIWYG…. What You See Is What You Get…; at first glance and in its simplest form, a banknote could be perceived as just a piece of printed paper. But in reality, it’s a carefully engineered document designed to communicate authenticity in a fraction of a second.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 July 2026

5 min read

Note and Coin News

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) has launched a Golden Jubilee commemorative $50 banknote celebrating its 50th anniversary. The new banknote was designed by De La Rue and printed on SAFEGUARD® polymer.

Banknotes Coins

Antti Heinonen

29 June 2026

9 min read

Development of Banknotes in Circulation Since 1998, and By Regions

Currency News™ has published annual updates on the global demand for banknotes since 2017, but these updates have focused mainly on most recent trends. By contrast, this article will address the development of global note demand during a period covering close to three decades. The regular annual update will be published later this year, when the volume figures for 2025 are available.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 June 2026

1 min read

Banco de Guatemala Celebrates

Banco de Guatemala has issued a new commemorative 100 quetzales banknote to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the central bank’s foundation.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 June 2026

2 min read

Anima Colour — Inspired by Gemstones

Oberthur Fiduciaire unveiled two major additions to its Anima™ micro-optics platform – Anima™ Sign and Anima™ Colour – at the recent Global Currency Forum. Both innovations highlighted advances in machine readability and colour versatility, two increasingly important elements in next-generation banknote security, in addition to the integration of all the effects already available in Anima™.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

18 May 2026

3 min read

BEP’s Long Term Transformation – New Investment, But New Facility on Hold

In one of the keynote speeches at the Banknote Conference in Washington DC, the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) presented its long-term transformation and modernisation strategy. This is in the context of a new series of banknotes, the first of which will be issued later the year, the postponement of a proposed new production site to replace that in the centre of the capital, and investments that have already seen a 33% reduction in some production costs.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

13 May 2026

2 min read

De La Rue Ignites Innovation with OPTILIGHT™

At the recent Global Currency Forum in Antalya, Türkiye, De La Rue introduced OPTILIGHT™, a next-generation optical security platform for banknotes. OPTILIGHT™ combines nano-science, advanced optical engineering, and proprietary algorithms to deliver intuitive visual effects for public authentication.

Banknotes Features

Dr John Mushayavanhu

27 April 2026

3 min read

The New BiG5ZiG Banknote Series

Following the introduction of the ZiG in April 2024 and public concerns on the quality of the then family of ZiG notes in circulation, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) undertook an evaluation to ensure that ZiG banknotes and coins remain relevant and supportive of economic activity.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

23 April 2026

2 min read

More Awards for the Caribbean Guilder

The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten’s new 200 Caribbean guilder has won the International Bank Note Society’s (IBNS) Bank Note of the Year Award for 2025.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

1 min read

Banknotes Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Out with the old, in with the wild! After 50 years of historical figures, the Bank of England is switching to nature-themed banknote designs. The Bank of England announced the theme came top in its public consultation, chosen by around 60% of the 44,000 respondents, ahead of architecture and landmarks (56%), historical figures (38%), arts, culture and sport (30%), innovation (23%), and noteworthy milestones (19%).

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

4 min read

China Celebrates Year of the (Fire) Horse

2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. And not just any old horse, but specifically the Fire Horse.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

4 min read

Celebrating the Best in Design and Innovation 13

The Regional Banknote of the Year Awards form part of the High Security Printing (HSP) EMEA conference. This year there were awards for Best New Banknote, Best New Series and Best New Commemorative Banknote, along with Best House Note and, for the first time, Best New Process or Technology.

Awards Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

1 min read

Updated Banknote for Peru

The Central Reserve Bank of Peru has issued a new version of the 200 soles banknote.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

4 min read

Fiji’s New Banknote Series – Where Island Legacy Meets Modern Vision 14

The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) has introduced a new family of Fijian dollar banknotes, with a launch ceremony held on 2 December 2025. The notes – in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 – were designed and printed by Crane Currency on CCL Secure’s GUARDIAN™ substrate, and is the first polymer series to use the integrated MOTION SURFACE® micro-optic stripe on all denominations. The banknotes were issued on 2 January 2026.

Awards Banknotes

James Shepherd-Barron

4 March 2026

7 min read

Symbols of Stabilisation – How Banknotes Help Rebuild Nations

Following the overthrow of the Assad regime in late 2024, Syria’s transitional government introduced a re-designed and re-denominated series of banknotes at the beginning of 2026 (see CN January 2026). It did this as part of a monetary reform strategy aimed at re-establishing a sound banking sector based on financial stabilisation, transparent foreign exchange, secure digital payments, and sustainable financial inclusion.

Banknotes