Latest News

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

30 Sept. 2024

2 min read

Oberthur Celebrates the Art of Butterflies

Oberthur Fiduciaire introduced a new family house notes at the Global Currency Forum, on the theme of ‘The Art of Butterflies’.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

29 Sept. 2024

2 min read

I’m Your Venus

According to the hit single I’m Your Venus (from the Dutch rock band Shocking Blue in 1969 and then again from the UK girl band Bananarama in 1986), ‘Venus is the name of the game’. It’s also the name of Louisenthal’s latest security feature – specifically RollingStar® Venus, an upgrade on the company’s portfolio of threads based on its micro-mirror technology.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

29 Sept. 2024

1 min read

Summertime for KURZ

Another company launching a new house note during the Global Currency Forum is KURZ. The note, dubbed Meadow, has been designed to promote the company’s ‘KURZ THREADS with KINEGRAM COLORS®’ portfolio.

Banknotes

Antti Heinonen

29 Sept. 2024

8 min read

Update on the Global Demand for Banknotes

Currency News™ began to publish global annual updates on banknote demand in 2017. This update will start with an analysis of the development of banknote circulation in value terms during recent years.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

29 Sept. 2024

2 min read

A Security Step-Up for Guyana

In last months’ Currency News™, we reference the Bank of Guyana’s upgrade of its $500 and $1,000 banknotes with Rolling Star® LEAD Pure security foil from Louisenthal on the former, and Crane’s RAPID® Vision security thread on the latter. In this article, we provide more details of the $500.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

29 Sept. 2024

3 min read

Guatemala Celebrates 100 Years of Quetzal

The Guatemalan currency, the quetzal, was introduced in 1924. The Q1 commemorative banknote, released in September 2024, is only the second commemorative banknote in the history of Banco de Guatemala (Banguat), and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the quetzal as the national monetary unit.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

29 Aug. 2024

2 min read

Grand Reveal for New Caribbean Guilder

In what was termed a ‘grand reveal’, the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten hosted simultaneous events on both islands to unveil the designs of the banknotes and coins of its new currency, the Caribbean guilder.

Banknotes

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

Eriko Yaya

29 Aug. 2024

2 min read

A New Series of Bank of Japan Notes

On 3 July 2024, the Bank of Japan started issuing a new series of banknotes consisting of 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 1,000 yen notes: a historic moment in Japan, as this is the first time in 20 years that a new series of banknotes has been introduced.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2024

3 min read

G+D Collection Celebrates 2024 Sporting Events

Commemorative coins are a common way for countries to mark their participation in international sporting events, particularly if they are hosting those events. Less so for commemorative banknotes, but they are becoming more popular.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2024

5 min read

Note and Coin News

The Bank of Mongolia has issued a limited edition 5,000 tugrik commemorative banknote to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the central bank and the strengthening of the modern banking system in Mongolia. The banknotes are in the same design as the circulating 5000 tugrik but include a number of new security features.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2024

4 min read

The Birth of Paper Money: the 1,000th Anniversary of the Jiaozi

Today, located in City of London, the Bank of England, with a history of more than 300 years, is a pioneer of modern finance. It is also one of the world’s oldest central banks.

Banknotes

David Tidmarsh

1 Aug. 2024

4 min read

It’s The Little Things That Count!

This short phrase is a truism. Another is ‘you get what you pay for’. When security fibres are used in banknotes, it is fair to say both truisms apply. Security fibres may be very small, but the level of security they provide certainly gives value for money.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2024

3 min read

Kazkahstan’s 10,000 Tenge Banknote Continues Saka Style Theme

The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) introduced the newly designed 10,000 tenge banknotes into circulation at the end of June. This release marks the second instalment in the ‘Saka Style’ series, which draws inspiration from elements of the ancient Saka culture, a key precursor to traditional Kazakh ornamentation. The series aims to evoke national pride, deepen cultural awareness, and promote environmental stewardship among Kazakhstan’s citizens.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

3 July 2024

3 min read

More House Notes Demonstrate Innovation and Artistry

In May’s issue of Currency News™, we featured Bundesdruckerei’s new Ignis house note as the Banknote of the Month. Here, we continue the theme with the presentation of four new house notes – one from Casa de Moneda de Chile and three from Polish Security Printing Works.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

3 July 2024

1 min read

Note and Coin News

According to the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), a significant milestone concerning the new Caribbean guilder has been reached, namely the printing of the first new banknotes.

Banknotes Coins

Antti Heinonen

3 July 2024

12 min read

Reasons to Introduce a New Series or Upgrade

The frequency of the introduction of a new series or an upgrade was addressed in the April issue of Currency News. In this article, Antti Heinonen continues the debate by addressing the topic from a historical perspective.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

3 July 2024

2 min read

Getting to Grips with Micro-Organisms

At the Banknote Conference in May, Guilmar Ernesto Moncayo Ponce from the Bank of Mexico provided information about progress on the first of a three phase project looking at the presence and role of micro-organisms on banknotes.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

3 July 2024

4 min read

Outstanding Design and Innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean

The prestigious Regional Banknote and ID Document of the Year Awards form part of the industry’s High Security Printing (HSP) Latin America conference. This year’s event was held in Santiago, Chile, with the awards presented at a special ceremony, during the conference dinner on 4 June.

Banknotes