Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2025

3 min read

Kazakhstan Continues Saka-Style Banknote Roll-Out

On 25 December 2024, the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) introduced a new design for the 2,000 tenge banknote. On March 28, 2025, it was the turn of the 1,000 tenge.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2025

4 min read

New Currency Family Celebrates the Natural Beauty of Zambia

Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa known for its abundant mineral resources, particularly copper, and home to the renowned Victoria Falls and a rich cultural heritage. It has a population of around 19.6 million and its currency is the Zambian kwacha (which is subdivided into ngwee).

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

31 March 2025

2 min read

MDC Goes to Cape Town – at Last!

The Mint Directors Conference (MDC) was originally scheduled to take place in April 2020 in South Africa, but had to be postponed at short notice due to COVID. The event went ahead three years later, in Ottawa in October 2023, and now – five years on – is finally taking place in Cape Town, from 27-29 April, co-hosted by the South African Mint and with over 250 delegates from the minting industry taking part.

Coins Events

Astrid Mitchell

31 March 2025

2 min read

Sharp Rise in Counterfeit Euro Coins

Last month we reported on the 2024 counterfeit figures for the euro. This month is the turn of coins, with figures from the European Commission detailing a sharp increase in the number of counterfeits in 2023 (the most recent year on which it has reported) to 480,371 – up 62% compared to 2022 and the highest level by far since the introduction of the euro in 2002.

Coins Counterfeiting

Astrid Mitchell

31 March 2025

1 min read

Note and Coin News

The Bank of Namibia has issued a new N$60 commemorative polymer banknote, celebrating the life and legacy of the late President HE Dr Hage G Geingob, who served as the third president of Namibia from 2015 until his death in February 2024, aged 82.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

31 March 2025

3 min read

Strong Performances from Mints

In 2024 the Mint of Finland announced it was to close, and The Royal Mint announced its withdrawal from the export market. Both were seen as signs of an industry in decline, but perhaps benefiting from these development, the latest reports from two leading mints – those of Poland and France – tell a different and altogether more positive story.

Coins

Astrid Mitchell

29 Jan. 2025

2 min read

Note and Coin News

The Bank of China and Banco Nacional Ultramarino – Macau’s two note issuing banks – have introduced new 50 and 100 pataca (MOP) banknotes. They are the third and fourth notes in the new Macau series, following the issue of new MOP 10 and 20 notes last year.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2024

2 min read

Directory of Circulating Coins – Out Now!

The fourth edition of the Directory of Circulating Coins has now been published – the first since 2019.

Coins

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2024

2 min read

Note and Coin News

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has announced the issue of the First Philippine Polymer (FPP) banknote series, over two years after the release of the 1,000 piso polymer as a trial in April 2022.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

27 Nov. 2024

4 min read

How the RCM Manages Canada’s Circulation Coins in Real-Time

Last month, the International Association of Currency Affairs held a webinar titled ‘Cash Visibility: How the Royal Canadian Mint Manages Canada’s Circulation Coins in Real-Time’, where the Mint detailed their strategies and systems for managing cash visibility for coin in Canada.

Coins

Astrid Mitchell

27 Nov. 2024

2 min read

Note and Coin News

The Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) is introducing new polymer $2 and $5 banknotes on the theme of ‘Same Look, Smarter Design’.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

27 Nov. 2024

2 min read

‘Helsinki Calling’: RDM to Produce Finnish Coins

The Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) has signed a multi-year agreement with Finland’s Ministry of Finance for the production, marketing and distribution of circulation and commemorative euro coins. The announcement follows the Mint of Finland’s announcement last month that it would cease operations in 2025, following the completion of its existing commitments to customers and suppliers – which it expects to fulfil early next year.

Coins

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

2 min read

Estonia Drops Lowest Denomination Coins

Estonia is set to introduce new rounding rules next year, with the country also planning to stop minting 1 and 2 cent coins.

Coins

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

4 min read

IACA Coin Awards Celebrate Innovation and Initiative

The winners of the 2024 IACA Excellence in Currency Awards for Coins were announced by IACA Executive Director Marci Chavez at a special presentation ceremony during the Coin Conference in Lisbon on 29 November.

Coins

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

3 min read

Note and Coin News

The Central Bank of Lesotho is issuing new 10 and 20 maloti banknotes which have the same design as the current notes but which will be the first to feature Anima™ security threads from Oberthur Fiduciaire, via its partnership with (and subsequent acquisition of a majority stake in) Rolling Optics.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

29 Sept. 2024

2 min read

And the (Coin) Finalists Are…

The finalists for the 2024 IACA Excellence in Currency Awards for Coins have been announced, with the presentation of the winning submissions scheduled to take place at this year’s Coin Conference in Lisbon, Portugal.

Coins

Astrid Mitchell

29 Sept. 2024

2 min read

US Mutilated Coin Programme Abolished

Earlier this year, the US Mint published a proposal to abolish its Mutilated Coin Redemption Program, relating to the face value exchange of bent, partial and fused coins.

Coins

Astrid Mitchell

29 Aug. 2024

5 min read

All Set for the Coin Conference 2024

The Coin Conference takes place in Lisbon 28-30 October, against a backdrop of considerable change (no pun intended) in the world of circulating coins. Not surprisingly, the agenda is busy and full of substance, reflecting the key challenges, and opportunities, that face issuers and producers.

Coins Events

Astrid Mitchell

29 Aug. 2024

2 min read

Millions of UK Coins Shelved in Warehouses

The UK banking system is reported to be storing indefinitely around £4 million worth of unwanted copper coins.

Coins

Astrid Mitchell

29 Aug. 2024

7 min read

Note and Coin News

Bank Al-Maghrib has issued new 50 dirham banknote, the third in its new series.

Banknotes Coins