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 First Trust Bank 10 pound banknote

Northern Ireland’s First Trust Bank to stop issuing banknotes

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.…

Thubnail image of the Hungary 500-forint banknote circulated 2019.

Hungary circulates new 500-forint banknote

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…

Thumbnail image of the security features found on the Sudan 2019 one pound banknote.

Sudan to issue new one pound banknote

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

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…

Armenia completes 3rd banknote series on Hybrid™

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…

Thumbnail image of the 2018 commemorative 100 Ukraine banknote.

Ukraine issues commemorative 100 hryvnias banknote

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.…

Thumbnail image of the Kenya 2018 New Generation Coin series

New Generation Coins from Central Bank of Kenya

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…