Latest News

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

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

Astrid Mitchell

23 Dec. 2025

1 min read

Turkmenistan’s New Banknotes Symbolise Peace

The Central Bank of Turkmenistan has unveiled a new series of banknotes, designed and printed by De La Rue on SAFEGUARD® polymer, to coincide with 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s recognition as a permanently neutral state.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

28 Nov. 2025

1 min read

New Banknote Launch for Fiji

The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) is preparing to launch a completely new series of Fijian dollar (FJD, $) banknotes in a major refresh that reflects both technical advances and an updated national vision. The formal unveiling will take place on 2 December in the capital, Suva, by the President of Fiji, HE Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, and the new notes are scheduled to enter circulation from 2 January 2026.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

28 Nov. 2025

4 min read

The Banknote of the Future

Dr Andrzej Nowak, Head of Open Innovation at SICPA, presented at the Future of Cash conference in Warsaw in November about what a radical banknote of the future could look like.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

28 Nov. 2025

4 min read

Namibia’s Currency Revamp: A Celebration of National Pride and Identity

In a bold step to modernise its currency and reaffirm national identity, the Bank of Namibia (BoN) has launched an upgraded series of banknotes and a fully redesigned set of coins. Officially introduced by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in July 2025, the new currency began circulating at the end of September 2025, marking a historic milestone for the nation.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

28 Nov. 2025

4 min read

Note and Coin News

The Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) of Bhutan has unveiled the designs for the first three notes in its new banknote family – the 100, 500, and 1,000 ngultrum (Nu).

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

27 Nov. 2025

1 min read

Bolivia Completes New Banknote Series

The Central Bank of Bolivia has completed its new ‘B’ series of banknotes with the issue of 10, 20 and 50 boliviano notes. The new 100 and 200 bolivianos were issued in June.

Banknotes

John Winchcombe

24 Nov. 2025

4 min read

Getting Ahead of the Curve – the Banknote of the Future

Dr Andrzej Nowak, Head of Open Innovation at SICPA, presented at the Future of Cash conference in Warsaw in November about what a radical banknote of the future could look like.

Banknotes Studies, Reports Technology