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.

Thumbnail image of the new Malaysia commemorative banknote 2017

Malaysia issues 60th anniversary banknotes

Bank Negara Malaysia has announced it will be issuing commemorative banknotes next year in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the Signing of the Federation of Malaya Independence Agreement. A press release issued by the Central Bank of Malaysia has confirmed that the new commemorative banknotes will be available for public viewing from 21 December 2017, with orders…

Thumbnail image of the Philippines 100 banknote

Philippines upgrades New Generation Currency banknotes

The Central Bank of the Philippines has today issued upgraded banknotes of the New Generation Currency series containing new design elements. A press release issued by the Central Bank of the Philippines states that the new notes with “enhanced design” have been circulated in accordance with its mandate to preserve the integrity of the Philippine currency.…

Thumbnail image of the Botswana 10 pula banknote.

Botswana to issue polymer 10 pula banknote

According to local reports, the Bank of Botswana will issue a polymer version of its 10 pula banknote next February. The upgraded banknote comes following complaints from the public regarding the poor quality of the paper version currently circulating in the country. Being the lowest denomination in the Botswana banknote family, it has a high…

Thumbnail image of the new Solomon Islands $10 banknote issued 2017.

Solomon Islands issues new $10 banknote

The Central Bank of the Solomon Islands has circulated its new $10 banknote today, the fourth denomination in the Bank’s new series of banknotes to be issued. Image courtesy of De La Rue. The new $10 banknote begins circulating in the Solomon Islands today. The banknote was designed and printed in collaboration with De La Rue.…

Thumbnail image of new Israel 100 banknote.

Israel issues new NIS 20 and NIS 100 banknotes

The Bank of Israel has today begun issuing the new NIS 20 and NIS 100 banknotes, the last of the new Series C Israeli banknotes. Israel began replacing the previous banknote series in September 2014 with the issue of the new NIS 50 banknote followed by the NIS 200 in December 2015. Today’s release of the new NIS 20…

Thumbnail image of the new Armenia 500 drams collectable banknote issued 2017..

Armenia issues collectable Hybrid® 500 drams banknote

Armenia has released a collectable 500 drams banknote called Noah’s Ark, printed on Louisenthal’s Hybrid® composite banknote substrate. The new banknote was issued in Armenia yesterday by the country’s Central Bank. Image courtesy of the Central Bank of Armenia. The new banknote is printed on Hybrid® banknote substrate from Louisenthal, consisting of a central cotton paper…

Kyrgyz Republic issues commemorative 2,000 som banknote

The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic has today issued a new denomination 2,000 som commemorative banknote, celebrating 25 years of independence and the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the national currency. The main illustration on the front of the Kyrgyz Republic banknote features a monument to the national hero Manas who united the Kyrgyz tribes, whereas the reverse features a…

Thumbnail image of the Bank of England New Ten Pound banknote 2017

Withdrawal date of old ten pound banknote

The Bank of England has announced that there are just over three months left to use the old design paper ten pound banknote before it is withdrawn from circulation on the 2 March 2018. The new polymer ten pound banknote began circulating on 14 September 2017, circulating alongside the cotton paper version featuring Charles Darwin issued in 2000.…

Transnistria commemorative coins 2017

Transnistria commemorates Revolution with notes and coins

The Central Bank of Transnistria has issued commemorative banknotes and coins to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution. The Transnistrian Republican Bank issued commemorative banknote denominations of 1 and 5 rubles, and commemorative coins of 10, 5 and 1 rubles on 3 November 2017. Commemorative banknotes The design of the…

Thumbnail image of the Vanuatu 5,000 polymer banknote.

Vanuatu issues new VT500 polymer banknote

The Reserve Bank of Vanuatu has completed the issuance of its latest banknote series with the launch of the new polymer banknote VT 500. The new VT 500 banknote was launched on the 27 October 2017. According to a press release issued by the Central Bank, it took eight years to complete the launch of the new banknote series.…