Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

1 Feb. 2022

2 min read

Celebrating 20 Years of the Euro, and Record Lows for Counterfeiting

On 1 January 1999, 11 EU countries fixed their exchange rates, adopted a shared monetary policy under the European Central Bank, and launched their new common currency. The euro was born as an electronic currency.

Central Banks Counterfeiting

Astrid Mitchell

1 Feb. 2022

2 min read

New Business Segment for Goznak as it Enters Banknote Processing Market

Russian state printer and mint Goznak has launched its own banknote counting and sorting machine – the BARS-S5. This follows the acquisition last year of BIS (which stands for Bank Innovation Systems), with whom the new machine was co-developed. The first order has already been received from the Central Bank of Russia.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

1 Feb. 2022

2 min read

HUMANIA: One Note, One Jab

Work has now started on the first in the HUMANIA series of banknotes, which are being produced to raise money to support people who have been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19

Astrid Mitchell

31 Jan. 2022

4 min read

Sustainability Starts with Central Banks

We have covered a number of initiatives by central banks and suppliers (individually or collectively through their associations) to reduce the environmental impact of cash, and will continue to do so.

Comment Free Free

Astrid Mitchell

30 Dec. 2021

3 min read

Israel: Cash – The Point of No Return

Amir Safranovich, Head of Cash Management in the Currency Department at the Bank of Israel (BOI) introduced his presentation at the European Cash Cycle Seminar with the title ‘Cash: The Point of No Return’.

Studies, Reports

Astrid Mitchell

30 Dec. 2021

3 min read

HSP Awards Celebrate Best in Class of 2021

In the absence in 2021 of the HSP Awards, which are normally held three times a year to coincide with the three regional conferences, HSP organiser Reconnaissance International held a series of virtual awards instead.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2021

2 min read

People in the News

Bert van Ravenswaaij, the Royal Dutch Mint’s CFO, has been appointed Mint Master, and will take up the position at the beginning of January. He has been at the Royal Dutch Mint since 2017 and is responsible, among other things, for all issues for the collector's market, including commemorative coins and medals.

News

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2021

2 min read

Cape Verde Goes Clean and Green with New Disposal System

As part of our regular update on technologies and programmes for sustainability in the cash cycle, we report this month on the news that Banco de Cabo Verde has invested in an HKU 4510 from Swiss company Hunkeler Systeme for the secure, clean and energy efficient disposal of banknotes.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2021

2 min read

New Report Explores Printing Beyond Colour

Many technologies and features with their roots in commercial printing have made, and continue to make, a substantial contribution to secure document production. However, these technologies have for the most part been concerned with producing visual colours, perceived by the unaided eye as conventional colour printing.

Studies, Reports

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2021

3 min read

Innovations from KURZ in Digitalisation and Threads

The emphasis on the recent round of IACA’s Excellence in Currency Awards, which were presented in October, was on innovations in response to the pandemic that will have lasting value. One such innovation was from KURZ in the form of its ‘Digital Design and Origination Approval Process’.

Substrates, Features Technology

John Winchcombe

23 Dec. 2021

3 min read

Bank of Canada Survival Analysis of Banknote Circulation

The Bank of Canada (BOC) has a Currency Inventory Management Strategy (IMS) based on its high-speed sorters that capture the image of every banknote, including the serial number, along with the date the banknote was created, shipped from the central bank’s distribution sites and returned to them.

Studies, Reports

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2021

6 min read

Cash Access in a Less-Cash World

In the November issue of Currency News™, we covered initiatives in Australia and the Netherlands to assess the growing trend to digital payments and what these countries are doing, or beginning to think about doing, to ensure ongoing access to cash in a less-cash world.

Cash Handling

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2021

2 min read

IACA Announces Shortlist for 2022 Excellence in Currency Awards

The International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) has announced the finalists in the 16th round of its Excellence in Currency Awards.

Events

Tim Berridge

23 Dec. 2021

4 min read

Designing for CINEMA™ – A New Dimension in Banknote Security

CINEMA™ is a ground-breaking security feature for banknotes, launched in 2020 by CCL Secure. The feature uses advanced micro-optics to create 3D and novel effects such as movement, depth, float, flip effects, and magnification – all in normal lighting, without the need for UV or other special lighting techniques.

Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2021

5 min read

Headlines of 2021 - That Was the Year That Was…

A review of this year's headlines.

Comment

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2021

3 min read

Lesotho – Unmatched Security from Within the Roof of Africa’s New Series

On 21 December, the Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) launched a significantly upgraded series of banknotes, with dynamic and innovative security threads and advanced security print features.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2021

4 min read

News in Brief

The Bank of Israel (BOI) held a special ceremony attended by the country’s president to launch a new NIS 5 coin in appreciation of the Israeli health and medical system for their contribution and struggle for the lives and health of Israel’s citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.

News

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2021

2 min read

Philippines Polymer Trial Takes Shape

More details have emerged about the polymer trial in the Philippines. Delivery of the first batch will be next April. 500 million pieces of 1,000 piso polymer banknotes will be rolled out by the middle of 2022, and the pilot will last for three years.

Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2021

3 min read

In Other News…

HM Government of Gibraltar has issued a new £5 note, replacing the previous, larger version. The new £5 was reduced in size to match the UK polymer £5 (albeit it remains on paper) and the colour changed to a vivid green.

News

John Winchcombe

23 Dec. 2021

4 min read

Japan’s Paradox of Banknotes

While cash transactions in Japan have been declining for some time, the reduction in opportunities to pay in cash and the increased use of ‘stay at home consumption’ during the pandemic has accelerated this decline. At the same time the ratio of banknotes to GDP has risen very significantly.

Studies, Reports