Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

28 Aug. 2025

2 min read

Bolivia’s Bicentennial Commemorative Banknote

Amidst the gradual introduction of a new banknote series, Banco Central de Bolivia (BCB) has also launched a new bicentennial commemorative banknote, which was unveiled earlier this month at a special event attended by the country’s President at the Casa de Libertad in Sucre, a heritage museum and former church where the country signed its declaration of independence in 1825.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

28 Aug. 2025

7 min read

(House) Banknotes of the Month

In this version of Banknote of the Month, we are focusing on some of the latest and best house notes, specifically those which have been released at the Currency Conference in May or the High Security Printing (HSP) Latin America conference in June.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

28 Aug. 2025

2 min read

Swiss Citizens Have Their Say on New Banknotes

In last month’s Currency News™ we mused on whether inviting the public to provide input into new currency designs was a good or a bad thing. It has undoubted benefits, but also carries risks.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

24 July 2025

2 min read

Design Contest is Next Step for New Euro Banknotes

The European Central Bank (ECB) has launched a public contest for the design of future euro banknotes – the next step in the euro banknote redesign process which will culminate in a decision in 2026.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

24 July 2025

2 min read

Meet the Next Generation of the Namibia Dollar

The Bank of Namibia has officially launched its upgraded Namibia dollar (N$) banknote series alongside a fully redesigned new Namibian coinage series, under the theme ‘Our Currency, Our Heritage, Our Pride – Meet the Next Generation of the Namibia Dollar’.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

2 July 2025

3 min read

Note and Coin News

The Bank of Mauritius has issued a new Rs 100 banknote – the penultimate denomination in the series to switch to polymer.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

2 July 2025

4 min read

Best in Banknotes Recognised in HSP Latin America Awards

The Regional Banknote and ID Document of the Year Awards form part of the industry’s High Security Printing (HSP) Latin America conference. The awards at this year’s event were presented at a special ceremony during the conference dinner on top of the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

2 July 2025

1 min read

New Themes Sought for Bank of England Notes

The Bank of England has announced a public consultation into the redesign of its banknotes – the first in more than 50 years.

Banknotes

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

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

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

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

2 min read

New Currency for Curaçao and Sint Maarten

A country that has issued not just a new family of banknotes and coins, but a whole new currency, is Curaçao and Sint Maarten, where the Caribbean guilder (Gg) went into circulation on 31 March, replacing the Netherlands Antilles guilder.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2025

3 min read

Kazakhstan Continues Saka-Style Banknote Roll-Out

On 25 December 2024, the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) introduced a new design for the 2,000 tenge banknote. On March 28, 2025, it was the turn of the 1,000 tenge.

Banknotes Coins

Astrid Mitchell

1 May 2025

4 min read

New Currency Family Celebrates the Natural Beauty of Zambia

Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa known for its abundant mineral resources, particularly copper, and home to the renowned Victoria Falls and a rich cultural heritage. It has a population of around 19.6 million and its currency is the Zambian kwacha (which is subdivided into ngwee).

Banknotes Coins

Aleksei Faleev

13 April 2025

4 min read

How Commercial Bank Cashiers View Security Features of Modern Banknotes

At the High Security Printing™ Asia conference in Bangkok last December, currency and counterfeit expert Aleksei Faleev gave a presentation on a survey conducted among cashiers in Kyrgyzstan to gauge their knowledge of and preferences for banknote security features. He has subsequently written this article based on that presentation.

Banknotes Counterfeiting

Astrid Mitchell

31 March 2025

2 min read

Banque de France Takes EverFit® to the Next Level

Banque de France used the opportunity of Intergraf Currency+Identity to launch EverFit® Enhanced on the Industry Innovation Arena Stage of the conference, the latest significant upgrade to the composite banknote since its introduction in 2014.

Banknotes Companies

Phillipa Peploe

31 March 2025

5 min read

Women on Currency

Across the world, banknotes commemorate and celebrate leading and noteworthy people from across history and culture. In essence, they are the business cards and the cultural identity of each country, acting as a physical symbol of national pride.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

31 March 2025

2 min read

SPL Partners with G+D for Paper Upgrade

Pakistan’s banknote papermaker Security Papers Ltd (SPL) has entered into a strategic partnership with Giesecke+Devrient to upgrade its PM-2 paper machine, first commissioned in 2004. This initiative aims to enhance SPL’s capacity to produce banknote paper that meets international standards and incorporates the latest security features.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

31 March 2025

3 min read

CYPHER EVO – the Rise of Digital Features

Digitalisation is a buzzword that has been shaping industries for over 40 years, fundamentally transforming products and business models. In the security printing industry, this transformation is particularly relevant as smart devices become dominant tools for interaction and authentication.

Banknotes