Last month, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System published an International Finance Discussion Paper on the demand for US banknotes at home and abroad. It was authored by Ruth Judson, a staff economist.

Central Banking Publications runs an award scheme each year, with 18 different categories, two of which relate specifically to currency.

China Banknote Printing & Minting (CBPM) has developed and is now using a new integrated processing and packaging production line for post-press operations.

The National Bank of Poland (NBP) will issue a commemorative 20 zloty banknote in July to mark the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw uprising, a major World War II operation by the Polish underground resistance to liberate the city from German occupation.

Highlights of the second Cash Sustainability Forum (CSF), which takes place 24-26 June in Frankfurt, are now available.

Possession of counterfeit versus intent to defraud. What’s the difference?

Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) has announced that it achieved the strongest growth in its history in 2023, setting new records for sales, growth and earnings in line with its strategy as a leading global secure technology company to help to shape the digital transformation of society.

The Royal Mint (TRM), the UK’s oldest company, has announced that it is to pull out of the market for producing foreign circulating coins and blanks, bringing to an end a 700-year old business in producing coins for overseas countries.

Industry custom and practice dictates that a new series of banknotes should be issued every 7-10 years. We don’t know who established that nor how was it determined. As we couldn’t answer these questions, we set out to see whether this convention was being followed by the industry. And to determine if it is still appropriate.

Koenig & Bauer and Graphic Security Systems Corporation (GSSC) have formed a partnership to jointly develop and deliver advanced anti-counterfeiting solutions to customers worldwide.

All arrangements are now in place for this year’s High Security Printing (HSP) Latin America, which returns to Santiago, Chile – taking place from 3-5 June. The last time the event was held in Santiago was 2014.

2024 heralds the Year of the Loong (or Chinese Dragon) in the traditional Chinese zodiac calendar. In December 2023, the People’s Bank of China issued a commemorative 20 yuan banknote for the 2024 Chinese Zodiac New Year, crafted from polymer substrate and manufactured by the Beijing Banknote Printing Co, a subsidiary of China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation.

The Central Bank of Suriname has introduced two new high denomination banknotes; the 200 and 500 Suriname dollars, showcasing advanced security and sustainable substrates.

A new periodic series of articles in Currency News™ will summarise information on counterfeit currency around the world, starting in this issue with the Czech Republic, Ghana, Kosovo and the Philippines.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has published its annual report for 2023 – the first under Acting Director Charlene E Williams, who was appointed to the position after the retirement of Len Olijar last July.

The International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) has announced the finalists of the 2024 Excellence in Currency Technical Awards. The winners for all four categories will be announced at the Banknote Conference Awards Dinner on the evening of 15 May.

Nestling in the heart of the Balkans, Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, was the picturesque setting for the latest edition of the High Security Printing™ (HSP) conference series (4-6 March). The sell-out event, which had to close its doors to new registrations three weeks in advance, brought delegates up to speed about what is happening to banknotes in the region and around the world.

Florida, Wisconsin and Vermont are the latest states to consider introducing legislation to force cash acceptance.

Banco Central República Argentina has confirmed that new 10,000 and 20,000 peso (ARS) notes will enter into circulation in June.

The 2024 Banknote Conference program was formed with the ideas, insights, and suggestions from the Banknote Advisory Board. As the industry’s premier technology-focused event, the committee’s input is a valuable part of the overall program structure, say organisers Currency Research, ensuring the most relevant, technology-focused topics for our industry today are covered such as the latest advancements in currency technology, trends, security features, and much more.