Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

29 April 2021

3 min read

In Other News…

Japan will begin issuing newly redesigned ¥500 coins from around November, the Finance Ministry has said, after their initial release in the first half of the fiscal year from April was postponed due to the pandemic, and in particular delays to updates to ticket and automated teller machines.

Banknotes Central Banks Coins

Astrid Mitchell

29 March 2021

2 min read

The Unique Identity of a Polymer Banknote

When a polymer banknote is produced, a number of opacification layers are printed onto the core substrate so that it can accept the traditional banknote printing processes such as litho, intaglio, screen and letterpress printing.

Banknotes Counterfeiting Technology

Astrid Mitchell

29 March 2021

3 min read

Bitcoin and Banknotes – When Physical Meets Digital

Cryptocurrencies, the best known of which is Bitcoin, exist almost entirely in the digital sphere, connecting with the physical world only if the owner writes down their digital key or if they use one of the growing number of ATMs where they can exchange their cryptocurrency for physical cash. A new venture, Noteworthy, is looking to change that, embedding cryptocurrencies into what will look and feel like a traditional banknote.

Banknotes Technology

Astrid Mitchell

29 March 2021

4 min read

In Other News…

The Central Bank of Iraq has added a feature to its banknotes to protect them from bacteria and viruses, including the coronavirus strain. The feature is not named, but is described as a biological pesticide developed by international companies specialised in printing banknotes, and is presumed to be incorporated in a coating/varnish. The notes containing the feature will be put into circulation soon.

Banknotes Central Banks Coins

Astrid Mitchell

29 March 2021

2 min read

Russia Unveils New Plans for Banknotes and Cash Circulation

The Board of the Central Bank of Russia has issued its ‘Guidelines for Cash Circulation Development in 2021-2026’. Its over-arching goals are to ensure the stability of cash circulation, optimise costs based on the development of technical infrastructure, as well as the formation of partnerships with banks for holding stocks of banknotes.

Banknotes Central Banks

Astrid Mitchell

29 March 2021

1 min read

ECCB Completes its New Series

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) issued its new $5 polymer banknote into circulation this month, completing the transition of its new family onto SAFEGUARD® polymer banknotes.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Kerre Corbin

29 March 2021

4 min read

The Risks Around Generic Security Features

One increasingly common counterfeit technique is harvesting – the act of taking a security feature from a lower value object and incorporating it into a counterfeit banknote of higher value. There are several ways to minimise harvesting, including making each security feature bespoke.

Banknotes Counterfeiting Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

29 March 2021

4 min read

New £50 Note Celebrates Science and Diversity

The Bank of England has unveiled the design for the new £50 which, when it goes into circulation in June, will compete the transition to a new all-polymer series.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Clemens Berger

29 March 2021

9 min read

Banknote Security – Don't Take the Risk! Embedded Security Features are the Benchmark for the Overwhelming Majority of Banknotes

The technology platforms used for banknotes continues to rise ever higher, for all security levels – 1, 2 and 3. Challenging and beating the counterfeiter is central to the design, functionality and security of banknotes. And we note that with a well-defined security feature matrix to raise the bar, there can be success.

Banknotes Counterfeiting Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

2 March 2021

1 min read

Libya Marks Anniversary with New Polymer Note

The Central Bank of Libya has issued a new 5 dinar note on De La Rue’s SAFEGUARD® polymer substrate, its launch coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the 17 February 2011 Revolution. It is the country’s second polymer note, the first – the 1 dinar – having been issued in 2019.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

2 March 2021

3 min read

In Other News…

The Central Bank of Iran has unveiled the designs of three new banknotes as part of the transition of Iran’s currency from the rial to the toman. Under the changes, four zeroes will be knocked off the rial and it will be renamed.

Banknotes Coins News

Astrid Mitchell

2 March 2021

4 min read

The Modern Omani Renaissance in Banknotes

ln celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Modern Omani Renaissance, the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has launched a new series. Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula at the mouth of the Arabian Gulf, sharing its borders with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The first national currency was introduced in 1970, replacing the Gulf rupee. Its current name, the Omani rial, was adopted in 1972. Coins were introduced earlier, in 1941.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

2 March 2021

4 min read

Seaweed – a Natural Solution to Keep Banknotes Clean

COVID-19 has impacted cash usage in a number of ways. Some were inevitable, such as a reduction in use due to the move to online shopping and lockdowns. But one was avoidable and has unfairly and negatively affected both the use and perception of cash, and that was that it carried, and was capable of transmitting, the coronavirus.

Banknotes Sustainability Technology

Astrid Mitchell

2 March 2021

2 min read

Authentication Through Animation

Banknotes have become highly sophisticated, with a massive range of machine readable features to fight the counterfeit threat. At the same time, says Louisenthal, it has also been creating innovative Level 1 features, to stop the counterfeit threat at the first pass, which are memorable, simple to use, visible even under poor lighting conditions and which, at the same time, also send a positive theme into the local community.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

2 March 2021

9 min read

2020: A Good Year for Polymer Banknotes

Competition creates energy and change. It can be argued that 2020 was the year where the impact of there being two suppliers of polymer substrate in the banknote market started to be seen. The take-up of polymer by central banks accelerated, while investment brought new security features to market, more capacity and more recycling capability.

Banknotes Substrates, Features