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Filtered by Banknotes — 255 articles

Antti Heinonen

29 June 2026

9 min read

Development of Banknotes in Circulation Since 1998, and By Regions

Currency News™ has published annual updates on the global demand for banknotes since 2017, but these updates have focused mainly on most recent trends. By contrast, this article will address the development of global note demand during a period covering close to three decades. The regular annual update will be published later this year, when the volume figures for 2025 are available.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 June 2026

1 min read

Banco de Guatemala Celebrates

Banco de Guatemala has issued a new commemorative 100 quetzales banknote to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the central bank’s foundation.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 June 2026

2 min read

Anima Colour — Inspired by Gemstones

Oberthur Fiduciaire unveiled two major additions to its Anima™ micro-optics platform – Anima™ Sign and Anima™ Colour – at the recent Global Currency Forum. Both innovations highlighted advances in machine readability and colour versatility, two increasingly important elements in next-generation banknote security, in addition to the integration of all the effects already available in Anima™.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

18 May 2026

3 min read

BEP’s Long Term Transformation – New Investment, But New Facility on Hold

In one of the keynote speeches at the Banknote Conference in Washington DC, the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) presented its long-term transformation and modernisation strategy. This is in the context of a new series of banknotes, the first of which will be issued later the year, the postponement of a proposed new production site to replace that in the centre of the capital, and investments that have already seen a 33% reduction in some production costs.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

13 May 2026

2 min read

De La Rue Ignites Innovation with OPTILIGHT™

At the recent Global Currency Forum in Antalya, Türkiye, De La Rue introduced OPTILIGHT™, a next-generation optical security platform for banknotes. OPTILIGHT™ combines nano-science, advanced optical engineering, and proprietary algorithms to deliver intuitive visual effects for public authentication.

Banknotes Features

Dr John Mushayavanhu

27 April 2026

3 min read

The New BiG5ZiG Banknote Series

Following the introduction of the ZiG in April 2024 and public concerns on the quality of the then family of ZiG notes in circulation, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) undertook an evaluation to ensure that ZiG banknotes and coins remain relevant and supportive of economic activity.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

23 April 2026

2 min read

More Awards for the Caribbean Guilder

The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten’s new 200 Caribbean guilder has won the International Bank Note Society’s (IBNS) Bank Note of the Year Award for 2025.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

1 min read

Banknotes Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Out with the old, in with the wild! After 50 years of historical figures, the Bank of England is switching to nature-themed banknote designs. The Bank of England announced the theme came top in its public consultation, chosen by around 60% of the 44,000 respondents, ahead of architecture and landmarks (56%), historical figures (38%), arts, culture and sport (30%), innovation (23%), and noteworthy milestones (19%).

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

1 April 2026

4 min read

China Celebrates Year of the (Fire) Horse

2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. And not just any old horse, but specifically the Fire Horse.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

4 min read

Celebrating the Best in Design and Innovation 13

The Regional Banknote of the Year Awards form part of the High Security Printing (HSP) EMEA conference. This year there were awards for Best New Banknote, Best New Series and Best New Commemorative Banknote, along with Best House Note and, for the first time, Best New Process or Technology.

Awards Banknotes

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Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

1 min read

Updated Banknote for Peru

The Central Reserve Bank of Peru has issued a new version of the 200 soles banknote.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

4 min read

Fiji’s New Banknote Series – Where Island Legacy Meets Modern Vision 14

The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) has introduced a new family of Fijian dollar banknotes, with a launch ceremony held on 2 December 2025. The notes – in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 – were designed and printed by Crane Currency on CCL Secure’s GUARDIAN™ substrate, and is the first polymer series to use the integrated MOTION SURFACE® micro-optic stripe on all denominations. The banknotes were issued on 2 January 2026.

Awards Banknotes

James Shepherd-Barron

4 March 2026

7 min read

Symbols of Stabilisation – How Banknotes Help Rebuild Nations

Following the overthrow of the Assad regime in late 2024, Syria’s transitional government introduced a re-designed and re-denominated series of banknotes at the beginning of 2026 (see CN January 2026). It did this as part of a monetary reform strategy aimed at re-establishing a sound banking sector based on financial stabilisation, transparent foreign exchange, secure digital payments, and sustainable financial inclusion.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

2 min read

Bolivia Discontinues Banknotes in Wake of Plane Crash

The Central Bank of Bolivia (CBB) has announced that, as a result of the plane crash that occurred on 27 February in the district of El Alto (part of the capital, La Paz), banknotes in the denominations of Bs10, Bs20 and Bs50 of Series B, corresponding to the New Boliviano Banknote Series, are no longer legal tender.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

4 March 2026

1 min read

Papua New Guinea Honours Former Leader

The Bank of Papua New Guinea has issued a new 100 kina banknote, commemorating the first anniversary of the death of the late Sir Julius Chan, one of the nation’s most influential political and economic leaders.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

3 Feb. 2026

2 min read

Money Matters: The Adoption of Patches

DataVault tells us that the use of patches on banknotes is increasing, albeit from a low base. In 1999 two issuers had applied a patch to their currency, as of late 2025 the number was 32, just under 20%. The adoption rate is slow but steady. The uptake appears to have no regional or size bias. From Jersey through to Nigeria.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

3 Feb. 2026

2 min read

Morocco Kicks Off Commemorative Collection

Celebrating the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which took place December to January in Rabat and was eventually won by Senegal, Morocco’s Bank Al-Maghrib has issued a commemorative 250 dirham silver coin and a commemorative 100 dirham banknote.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

2 Feb. 2026

7 min read

In Other News

Syria has issued a new currency, removing portraits of the Assad family and redenominating to remove two zeroes.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

4 min read

The 100 Somoni – a Page of Tajikistan History

At the recent HSP Asia conference, Tajikistan’s new 100 somoni note celebrating the 25th anniversary of the national currency won the award for Best New Commemorative Banknote.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

7 min read

Note and Coin News

As noted in the November issue of Currency News™, the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) is issuing a new family of Fijian dollar banknotes, which was officially launched at a special ceremony in Suva, the capital of the Pacific Island nation, on 2 December.

Banknotes Coins

Latest News

Development of Banknotes in Circulation Since 1998, and By Regions

Banco de Guatemala Celebrates

Anima Colour — Inspired by Gemstones

BEP’s Long Term Transformation – New Investment, But New Facility on Hold

De La Rue Ignites Innovation with OPTILIGHT™

The New BiG5ZiG Banknote Series

More Awards for the Caribbean Guilder

Banknotes Take a Walk on the Wild Side

China Celebrates Year of the (Fire) Horse

Celebrating the Best in Design and Innovation 13

Updated Banknote for Peru

Fiji’s New Banknote Series – Where Island Legacy Meets Modern Vision 14

Symbols of Stabilisation – How Banknotes Help Rebuild Nations

Bolivia Discontinues Banknotes in Wake of Plane Crash

Papua New Guinea Honours Former Leader

Money Matters: The Adoption of Patches

Morocco Kicks Off Commemorative Collection

In Other News

The 100 Somoni – a Page of Tajikistan History

Note and Coin News

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