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SMI is the acknowledged world leader in the provision of independent technical & commercial expertise to the currency industry. Founded in 1994, SMI consultants each have many years’ experience working in the currency industry, and consequently have extensive knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the banknote and coin markets, offering consultancy services on a range of issues related to the security, manufacture, issue, circulation and management of physical cash in the economy.

Sun Chemical acquires Luminescence

Banknotes, Currency, News, TechnologyBy SMI 07/02/2018

Luminescence, a manufacturer of security inks used in banknotes and other high security documents, has been acquired by Sun Chemical and its parent company DIC Corporation. UK based Luminescence has been a supplier of security inks for thirty one years, providing inks used for currency tax stamps, passports, ID cards, secure documents and brand protection.…

Czech National Bank to issue new 100 and 200 banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 31/01/2018

The Czech National Bank has announced that it will issue upgraded CZK 100 and 200 banknotes, to be circulated during 2018. A press release published by the Czech Central Bank advises that whilst the new banknotes will continue to use the same illustrative design, they will include modern security features that provide the banknotes with advanced protection against…

Euro Counterfeits remain low during 2017

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 29/01/2018

The European Central Bank has released its banknote counterfeiting figures for the second half of 2017, showing a slight increase compared to the previous period yet still remain low. A total of 363,000 counterfeit notes were withdrawn during the second half of 2017, an increase of 9.7% compared with the first half of the year.…

Uruguay upgrades 100 and 1,000 peso banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 29/01/2018

The Central Bank of Uruguay has issued the Series G 100-peso and Series E 1,000-peso banknotes, now circulating within the country. The upgraded Uruguay banknotes have a similar design as their predecessors and continue to be printed on cotton paper substrate but contain upgraded security features including optically variable ink, used to depict a map…

The 2018 Central Banking Awards

Currency, NewsBy SMI 24/01/2018

The 2018 Central Banking Awards have been presented to companies and organisations within the industry, honouring excellence within the community. The awards recognise excellence in the Central Banking community, and 2018 sees the fifth year of presentations. Judges sitting on the Awards panel are made up of the Central Banking Editorial Team and Editorial Advisory Board, all…

Sri Lanka to issue new coins to help cut costs

Coin, NewsBy SMI 04/01/2018

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka will soon issue a new set of stainless steel circulating coins, helping to address the current coin shortage in the country. The new coins from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka will be in denominations of Rs. 1, 2, 5 and 10 and will be silver in colour. The…

Sao Tome and Principe issue new currency series

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 02/01/2018

The Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe has celebrated its 25th anniversary by launching a new series of banknotes and coins. The new currency is part of the Bank’s Monetary Reform 2018, resulting in the removal of three zeros from the denomination structure of the current series first circulated in 1997. There will be six banknote denominations…

Botswana unveils Safeguard® polymer 10 pula banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 02/01/2018

The Bank of Botswana has unveiled their upgraded 10 pula banknote which will enter circulation on 1 February 2018, printed on De La Rue’s Safeguard® polymer substrate. Following an announcement from the Central Bank made last November, the Bank of Botswana has today unveiled the upgraded 10 pula banknote. According to local reports, complaints were made by…

Mauritania issues new ouguiya currency banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 02/01/2018

The Central Bank of Mauritania has issued its new ouguiya currency, consisting of newly denominated banknotes that have dropped a zero from its value. The new polymer banknotes began circulating in Mauritania yesterday, on the 1 January 2018. The launch of the new currency follows an announcement made last November by President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who reportedly advised of the…

Tunisia issues new 20 dinar banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 23/12/2017

The Central Bank of Tunisia has issued a new 20 dinar banknote, containing a variety of modern anti-counterfeit security features. The new banknote was reportedly first issued on the 21 December 2017. The design of the banknote continues to use a predominantly red colour scheme and has dimensions of 153mm by 76mm as seen in its predecessor issued in 2011,…