Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

1 min read

Holograms Head Up Security Awards

Banknote security features won two out of the five categories in the 2023 Excellence in Holography Awards, presented by the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) at the recent annual online Holography Conference.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

2 min read

Nigeria Bins Demonetisation

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed that it will allow old banknotes that were due to be phased out in December to remain legal tender indefinitely, following a ruling by the country’s Supreme Court.

Banknotes Cash Handling

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

2 min read

Innovation and Exploration Take Centre Stage in Bilbao

The Intergraf Currency + Identity Conference and Exhibition took place from 18-20 October in Bilbao, Spain. The Bilbao Exhibition Centre hosted this year’s 940-plus participants from the two branches of the industry, of which more than 170 were from central banks, government and law enforcement, along with 107 exhibitors.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

2 min read

META Materials Plans Focus on Security

META Materials Inc, a developer of high performance functional materials and nanocomposites which acquired security feature specialist Nanotech Security Corp in 2021, has announced details of a restucturing plan that will see it focus on core business lines that are either generating revenues, or expected to do so in the near future.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

4 min read

Delivering Banknote Security Through Technology… Louisenthal´s Solution

Readers will recall in earlier editions that we addressed a number of significant highlights following G+D`s Currency Technology Symposium held in July. This is the final story, focusing on key elements of the day dedicated to Louisenthal, G+D’s substrate and feature subsidiary.

Companies Substrates, Features Technology

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

2 min read

Morocco Rolls out New Note and Coin Series

Bank Al-Maghrib has issued a new coin series as part of its latest round of currency updates. Alongside new 10 and 20 centimes, and ½ dirham, 1, 5 s and and 10 dirham coins, an updated 100 dirham banknote has also been issued as the first in a new note series.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

4 min read

Digital Intelligence in Banknote Printing

In this issue, we describe the industry’s newest banknote production facility – IMBISA in Spain. Another example of a new printworks that has also built innovation in from the start is Guangzhou Banknote Printing Co Ltd (GBPC), the seventh and newest of China Banknote Printing and Minting’s banknote factories.

Companies Technology

Kerre Corbin

1 Dec. 2023

2 min read

Counterfeit Corner

Established in 2020 to support national law enforcement authorities in their efforts to fight financial and economic crimes and aid international cooperation, Europol’s European Financial and Economic Crime Centre (EFECC) has recently released its first threat assessment on the matter.

Counterfeiting

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

2 min read

6th MAP Conference Embraces the Challenge to Cash

The 6th International Mint and Print (MAP) Conference took place in Dubai. Just under 200 delegates from around 90 institutions and 40 countries took part in the event, organised by Mazen Hamden, with approximately 25% attending for the first time.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

4 min read

Cash Crash in Australia?

As Currency News™ went to press, news came out that the cash management firms Armaguard, with a 90% share of the market, is seeking a cash injection to ensure it can operate its banknote distribution services profitably, just five months after it merged with rival Prosegur to create a near-monopoly that was supposed to do just that (see CN June 2023).

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

2 min read

The Best in CashTech 2023

The 2023 CashTech Innovation Awards, arranged by the thinktank CashEssentials and sponsored by Sesami, were presented at the Future of Cash conference, which took place 6-8 November in Istanbul.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

2 min read

Design of New Euro Banknote a Choice Between Culture and Nature

Euro banknotes are set to be adorned with either rivers and birds, or images of European culture, as the Governing Council of European Central Bank (ECB) whittles down options for the first redesign of the currency since its inception.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

29 Nov. 2023

3 min read

A Full Agenda for Banknote Conference 2024

The Banknote Conference, held every two years, is an independent, neutral forum for industry leaders to meet and discuss innovations, efficiencies, best practices, and new technologies and solutions that benefit their operations.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

29 Nov. 2023

3 min read

Oberthur Demonstrates the Art of Animation with New Security Thread

As covered in last month’s Currency News, in the Spring of 2023 Oberthur Fiduciaire took out a majority stake in Rolling Optics, which was founded in 2005 with solid technical background from research at the Ångström Laboratory at Uppsala University, Sweden.

Companies

John Winchcombe

28 Nov. 2023

3 min read

Exploring the Role of AI in the Central Banking Domain

Artificial Intelligence (AI) roared into the public consciousness in 2023. Its widespread use and, more importantly, its potential have become visible to all, not just the small specialist user community that has been working on it for years. Clearly, AI is of great interest to central banks from the policy makers through the cash issue department.

Events Free Free

Astrid Mitchell

3 Nov. 2023

2 min read

Americas Cash Cycle & Payments Seminar

This year the Americas Cash Cycle and Payments Seminar is taking place 27-30 November at the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida.

Cash Handling Events

Astrid Mitchell

3 Nov. 2023

2 min read

Steady Sustainability Progress in UK Cash Cycle

The UK’s Cash Industry Environmental Charter Group (CIEC), which consists of more than 30 organisations active in cash working together to establish best practice and drive change, has reported on its progress.

Cash Handling Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

3 Nov. 2023

2 min read

ISRA BankStar for Thread Inspection

German-based ISRA Vision’s BankSTAR family of in-line inspection solution has been extended by a version for security thread microslitting – BankSTAR TS.

Companies Technology

Astrid Mitchell

3 Nov. 2023

1 min read

New Board and ICA Focus for 2024

The International Currency Association (ICA), representing the global currency sector, held its Annual General Meeting in Bilbao, Spain during the Intergraf Currency+Identity conference, and elected the Board for the next two years.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

3 Nov. 2023

1 min read

Conservation at Heart of New UK Coins

The Royal Mint has unveiled eight new coin designs inspired by flora and fauna across Britain that will soon appear on official UK coins, ranging from the 1p to the £2.

Coins