Latest News

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

1 Aug. 2024

2 min read

Spectra Systems Reports Another Successful Year

Spectra Systems’ annual report, released at the end of June, showed revenues for 2023 increased by 3.4% to $20.28 million and operating profit, EDITDA (before stock compensation expenses) by 3.9% to $8.39 million.

Companies

Tim Berridge

1 Aug. 2024

4 min read

How Regional Recycling Solutions Support Global Success

In an age where consumers, companies and central banks are seeking to reduce raw materials use and close the loop on waste, banknote recycling has never been more important.

Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2024

5 min read

News in Brief

In recent weeks, Da Afghanistan Bank (the country’s central bank) has incinerated c. 2 billion worn-out Afghani banknotes. In 2023, it collected and incinerated approximately 5.2 billion banknotes.

News

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2024

3 min read

Royal Mint Goes into Loss as Demand for Circulating Coins Plummets

The Royal Mint has announced its results for 2023-24, which are in sharp contrast to the success of the previous year.

Coins

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2024

3 min read

Wide-Ranging Panel Discussions at the 2024 GCF

The 2024 Global Currency Forum (GCF) – which takes place in Muscat, Oman from 30 September-3 October – is set to host a series of panel discussions that promise to delve deep into the evolving landscape of global cash and currency. This year’s forum features an impressive lineup of experts who will share their insights on various topics, from the role of banknote design in national identity to the sustainability of cash.

Events

Astrid Mitchell

1 Aug. 2024

2 min read

De La Rue Results in Line with Expectations

De La Rue has released a comprehensive set of full year results for FY2023/24. These results were in line with market expectations and its previous trading update.

Companies

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

John Winchcombe

3 July 2024

6 min read

France Working Hard on End-to-End Cash Sustainability

A bulletin published by the Banque de France describes its work on environmental sustainability. The paper offers up a model for others to consider, detailing the Bank's work on areas it controls directly and its collaborative work with others in the cash cycle.

Sustainability

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

Astrid Mitchell

3 July 2024

4 min read

In Other News…

Banco de Moçambique has launched a new series of banknotes and coins to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the central bank and the 45th anniversary of Mozambique’s currency, the metical.

News

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

Nicola Sudan

3 July 2024

3 min read

HSP Latin America Returns to the ‘Land of Desert and Glaciers’

The 2024 High Security Printing™ (HSP) Latin America conference took place, for the second time in its 12-year history, in the longest and narrowest country on Earth, filled with starkly contrasting landscapes that stretch from the driest desert in the world to ancient glaciers still waiting to be discovered. That country is Chile.

Events

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

Astrid Mitchell

3 July 2024

2 min read

RCM Among Canada’s Best Corporate Citizens – Again

The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) has once again been ranked among Corporate Knights’ Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada. The ranking is based on 24 quantitative key performance indicators relating to resource management, employee management, financial management, clean revenue, clean investment and supplier performance.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

3 July 2024

2 min read

Q&T Secures Further Contract for Vietnamese Currency

Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer (Q&T), the latest arrival to the polymer substrate market, has announced that it has made remarkable progress since its establishment three years ago by securing its third contract for supply of Polysecure for the Vietnamese currency.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

3 July 2024

3 min read

News in Brief

The Bank of England has now put into circulation the new series of notes bearing the portrait of King Charles III.

News

Ian Lancaster

3 July 2024

3 min read

Shake, Rattle and Roll – Diametryx’s Innovative Colour Change Particles

At the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) conference in in Lisbon this April, Michael Natan, President of Diametryx Inc, presented his new company’s intriguing colour-change particles in which the effects change not only by tilting, but shaking as well.

Technology