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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.

Northern Ireland’s First Trust Bank to stop issuing banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 12/02/2019

First Trust Bank, one of Northern Ireland’s four note issuing authorities, has announced that it will cease issuing its own banknotes due to the increasing use of digital payments. First Trust Bank (FTB), a subsidiary of Allied Irish Banks, will gradually withdraw their banknotes from circulation and will instead dispense Bank of England banknotes through their ATM network.…

Hungary circulates new 500-forint banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 04/02/2019

Hungary’s central bank, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, has begun circulating the 500-forint banknote – the last denomination in the banknote series to be upgraded. The central bank first announced the issuance of the 500-forint banknote last July. Key security features include a holographic foil stripe shown on the front of the banknote, as per all the latest denominations…

Sudan to issue new one pound banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 31/01/2019

The Central Bank of Sudan has unveiled a new one-pound banknote which is to be issued into circulation, eventually replacing the currently circulating version first issued in 2007. The new note has a predominantly brown colour scheme and is 66mm by 148mm in size. Key security features include a windowed security thread, reportedly Rapid®, and…

Bahamas issues fourth CRISP Evolution banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 29/01/2019

The Central Bank of the Bahamas has issued the fourth denomination of its CRISP Evolution banknote series, the half dollar $0.50. The new Bahamas note, the lowest denomination of the series, began circulating on 24 January 2019. It is the first complete redesign of the $0.50 banknote denomination since it was launched in 1984. The CRISP (Counterfeit…

Central Bank of Bolivia issues Bs 100 banknote from its latest series

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 16/01/2019

The Central Bank of Bolivia has issued the fourth denomination from its latest banknote series, the Bs 100, featuring modern security features. The Central Bank of Bolivia is in the process of gradually issuing banknotes from its latest First Family of Tickets (PFB) of the Plurinational State [translated] banknote series. The issuance of the Bs 100 follows…

The Bulgarian National Bank launches upgraded banknote series

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 07/01/2019

The Bulgarian National Bank has begun issuing its upgraded series of banknotes with the release of the 100 leva note, which began circulating on 28 December 2018. The design of the latest banknotes continue to use the same themes as the currently circulating banknotes – the 100 leva banknote was first issued in 2003 – but…

Armenia completes 3rd banknote series on Hybrid™

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 27/12/2018

The Central Bank of Armenia has circulated the remaining three denominations from its latest third series of banknotes, the 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 dram, all printed on Hybrid™ substrate. The third series of Armenian banknotes consists of six denominations, namely the 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000-dram, and commemorates the 25th anniversary of the…

Argentina completes banknote series with 100 pesos note

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 19/12/2018

The Central Bank of Argentina has completed the issuance of its Native Animals banknote series with the release of the new 100 pesos banknote. The 100 peso banknote is the sixth and final denomination to be issued by the Central Bank of Argentina, following the release of the 50 earlier this year, the 20 and 1,000…

Ukraine issues commemorative 100 hryvnias banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 14/12/2018

The National Bank of Ukraine has issued a 100 hryvnias banknote to commemorative the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917 – 1921, as well as the introduction of the first Ukrainian paper currency. The design of the non-circulating commemorative banknote is based on the design of the 100 banknote that was circulated in 1918.…

New Generation Coins from Central Bank of Kenya

Coin, NewsBy SMI 12/12/2018

On 11 December, the Central Bank of Kenya issued its latest series of New Generation Coins featuring images of Kenya’s wildlife. The new coins, which are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 20 shillings, have been designed following public consultation and are dedicated to Kenya’s heritage and respect for the environment. Each coin contains a…