Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

2 min read

End of Penny Production Confirmed – At Last

After years of debate about the future of the US one cent coin (penny), the US Treasury has now confirmed that its production will stop once stocks of blanks, the last order for which was placed this month, are used up.

Coins

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

4 min read

News in Brief

The East African Community (EAC) has re-established the region’s Monetary Affairs Committee (MAC) following the appointment of new heads of central banks, bringing hope for new ideas to get the implementation of a single currency for the region back on track, after the initial deadline of 2024 was extended to 2031.

News

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

5 min read

New Currency Focuses on the World Under the Seas

As described in last month’s Currency News™, the new Caribbean guilder has now been issued. It’s been a long time coming, but well worth the wait.

Banknotes Free Free

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

10 min read

Crane Currency – People, Purpose, and Paper Money

It’s an exciting time for Crane NXT. Crane NXT (‘CXT’ – NYSE) just completed the acquisition of De La Rue’s Authentication business, and combined it with its existing portfolio, the Smart Packaging assets of TruTag and brand protection specialist OpSec (acquired in 2024) to form a new company – Crane Authentication. Together with Crane Currency, these form the newly-created business unit Security & Authentication Technologies (SAT), which sits alongside Crane Payment Innovations.

Interviews

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

2 min read

G+D: Anchoring Trust in a Digital Era

Giesecke+Devrient will hold its customer event – the G+D Currency Technology Symposium 2025 – from July 7-10 at its Munich headquarters. Themed ‘Currency Fast Forward,’ this event will examine the pivotal role of public currency as a foundation of trust in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, highlighting the indispensable role of cash as critical infrastructure, a public asset, and a key element of national security.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

4 min read

A Tale of Two Currencies – A Riddle, Wrapped in a Mystery, Inside an Enigma

The European Central Bank has published the production requirements for euro banknotes for 2026, which – at just under 1.95 billion – is nearly half that of 2025 (3.4 billion) and the second lowest figure since the euro was introduced in 2002 (the only year it was lower was in 2004). The value is €56 billion.

Comment

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

9 min read

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

This month, the focus of our periodic series of articles covering cash information in central bank annual and other reports is split between Europe and Asia, with updates from Germany, Portugal, Spain, Hong Kong, Korea and Sri Lanka.

Central Banks

Antti Heinonen

27 May 2025

9 min read

Does the Number of Banknotes in Circulation Already Exceed 900 Billion?

If every central bank and monetary authority were to consistently publish the number of banknotes in circulation, this article wouldn’t be necessary. However, that isn’t the case, and the question is raised every now then in discussions. Various estimates, some around 550 billion, are cited in industry reports and presentations, which prompted me to dig deeper as the numbers seemed low. This article highlights some of the challenges involved when considering the question and provides an estimate for further discussion.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

4 min read

IACA Excellence in Currency Awards 2025 – the Winners Are...

The Currency Conference gala dinner on 28 May hosted the presentation of the latest International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) 2025 Technical Excellence in Currency Awards.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

3 min read

Patches are Making a Splash

Banknote security is an undisputable must. But what are the developing trends in banknote security, and how are industry suppliers meeting these challenges?

Features

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

4 min read

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions Champions Sustainability in Currency Production

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (KBBS) has published its Banconota Spring/Summer edition dedicated to one subject, sustainability. The focus of the piece is how KBBS is helping its customers reduce the environmental impact of what they do.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

5 min read

GemVision™ – the Industry’s First CDI2 Fitness Solution

Sensor and feature specialist Authentix has announced the launch of the banknote industry’s first CDI2 fitness solution – the GemVision™ Camera System, designed to help central banks lower currency management costs, combat counterfeiting, and improve the quality of circulating banknotes.

Technology

27 May 2025

3 min read

Fusing Tradition with Modern Minting at MDC 2025

The 32nd Mint Directors Conference (MDC) was held from 27–29 April 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, co-hosted by the South African Mint. The event focused on merging traditional minting with modern technology via keynotes, workshops, and panel sessions. An awards ceremony recognised achievements in coin design and packaging (see CN April 2025).

Events

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

1 min read

New Round Up of New Notes and Coins

Currency News™ is publishing a round-up of all new banknotes and coins issued in 2024. This annual summary will be issued each year from now on, covering the previous year’s new issues.

Studies, Reports

Astrid Mitchell

27 May 2025

3 min read

Note and Coin News

The National Bank of Kazakhstan has issued a commemorative 1,000 tenge note celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory and the end of World War II in Europe.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

21 May 2025

2 min read

Be Smart with BeeSmart

In keeping with our apiology theme (ie. the study of bees), one company that is using the stripey stingers to support a major financial literacy initiative is Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions, who presented the BeeSmart educational platform at the recent HSP EMEA conference in Basel.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

18 May 2025

4 min read

From Money Trees to Honey Bees – Cash that Buzzes

The United Nations and its agencies hold international observance days (and in some cases weeks or even years) to promote global issues . There are 218 overall – many on familiar topics such as women, family, oceans, the environment. But there are some unexpected ones too - toilets, potatoes, tea, tuna, bicycles, seagrass.

Banknotes Coins Free Free

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2025

5 min read

News In Brief

Tuvalu is home to 11,000 people and now, for the first time, five ATMs as well, thereby opening up electronic banking for the tiny Pacific island’s inhabitants.

Cash Handling Coins Companies

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2025

2 min read

Sensors and Polymer Fuel Spectra Growth

Spectra Systems reported a strong performance for fiscal year 2024, which for the first time included the financial results for Cartor Security Printers (CSP), which it acquired in December 2023.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2025

9 min read

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

Our periodic series of articles covering cash information in central bank annual reports is playing catch-up, particularly as it is around this time of year that a number of central banks issue their annual reports for 2024 (and in some cases, previous years).

Central Banks