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 Bahamas 2006 issue $50 banknote to use Durasafe®.

Bahamas chooses Durasafe® for high value banknotes

The Central Bank of the Bahamas has chosen to use Landqart’s Durasafe® banknote substrate for the two highest value notes of its new “Crisp Evolution” banknote series. Landqart is expected to begin sending shipments in 2018 for the $50 and $100 banknote denominations. Durasafe® is a composite paper-polymer-paper substrate developed by Landqart in cooperation with the Swiss…

Thumbnail image of the upgraded Georgia 5-lari banknote 2017

Georgia to upgrade 5 lari banknote in September

The National Bank of Georgia has confirmed that it will release an upgraded 5 lari banknote into circulation on 1 September 2017. It will be the fourth of the Georgian banknote family to be upgraded, following the 20, 50 and 100 lari banknotes circulated in February and November last year. The new 5 lari banknote continues…

Thumbnail image of Canadian 10 dollar commemorative banknote.

Canada issues commemorative $10 banknote

This summer, Canada will celebrate its 150th anniversary of Confederation. To mark the event, the Bank of Canada has issued a new commemorative $10 banknote. The note includes four portraits of notable Canadian parliamentarians chosen for their significant roles in shaping the country, namely Sir John A. Macdonald, Sir George-Étienne Cartier, Agnes Macphail and James…

Image of the new Norway banknote, image courtesy of Norges Bank.

New banknote family sets sail in Norway

Norges Bank has issued the first two denominations from Norway’s new maritime themed banknote family, the 100- and 200-krone. From today, the new 100- and 200-krone banknotes become available to the public via bank branches and retailers. Their theme, as with all the new denominations, is based on “The Sea”. Each banknote includes a variety of…

Thumbnail image of the new Bank of Scotland 10 banknote design

Bank of Scotland reveals polymer £10 banknote design

The Bank of Scotland has revealed the design of its new £10 banknote due to be circulated later this year. The new banknote replaces its paper predecessor last issued in 2007, but retains some of its features. A portrait of Scottish novelist and poet, Sir Walter Scott, continues to be displayed on the front of the note alongside…

Swiss app for 50 franc banknote

Discover the new 20-franc via Swiss Banknotes app

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has updated its Swiss Banknotes smartphone app with information regarding the new 20-franc banknote, issued into circulation today. The Swiss Banknotes app was first issued last year when the 50-franc – the first of the latest ninth Swiss banknote series – was issued into circulation. The free mobile app, compatible with Apple iOS and…

Montage of images showing cash in use.

Cash Matters – Launched by the ICA

The International Currency Association (ICA) has unveiled a new online platform: Cash Matters. The global pro-cash movement provides facts and figures associated with the cash industry via their website. The organisation will also be active on social media to provide information regarding payments to the general public. According to their website, their aim is to: “…channel the voices that…

Innovia Security now operating as CCL Secure

From today, Innovia Security, the manufacturer of Guardian™ polymer banknote substrate, will operate under the new name of CCL Secure. This follows an announcement made last December advising that The Smithfield Group, the managing shareholder of Innovia Group, had accepted an offer from Canada’s CCL Industries Inc. to acquire the company for CAD $1.3 billion (US $952.7m). Speaking…

Maldives 5 rufiyaa banknote design.

Maldives reveals the new 5 Rufiyaa banknote

The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) have unveiled the design of the new 5 Rufiyaa banknote. The new polymer banknote is part of the Ran Dhihafaheh note series which launched on 1 November 2016 and circulated on 26 January 2016, consisting of the 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 denominations. The new polymer 5 replaces the last…