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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.

Canada chooses first women for next $10 banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 09/12/2016

A portrait of Viola Desmond has been chosen to feature on the next circulating $10 Canadian banknote, expected in late 2018. It will be the first time a Canadian woman is featured on a regularly circulating Bank of Canada banknote. An icon of the human rights and freedoms movement in Canada, Viola Desmond was selected from…

Colombia completes banknote series with issue of 10,000 peso

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 08/12/2016

Colombia’s Banco de la Repüblica has issued the 10,000 peso banknote, completing the issuance of the country’s new banknote family. The 10,000 peso banknote was issued yesterday, the 7 December 2016. The new note is predominantly red in colour is 66mm in height and 138mm in width. As per the previously issued banknotes in the new series, the…

Australian $5 wins Regional Banknote of the Year award

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 08/12/2016

The new Australian polymer $5 banknote has been awarded the Regional Banknote of The Year at the High Security Printing Asia conference. The award was presented at the conference in Singapore on 6 December 2016, hosted by Reconnaissance. According to Reconnaissance, “The awards recognise outstanding achievement in the design, technical sophistication and security of a banknote or banknote…

Vegetarians upset over use of tallow in polymer banknotes

Banknotes, News, TechnologyBy SMI 06/12/2016

The new fiver polymer banknote that was launched last September in the UK has been spurned by vegetarians and vegans after it emerged that small amounts of tallow are used to make the polymer substrate. Tallow is a substance rendered from animal fat, normally beef or mutton, commonly used to make soap and candles. Whilst…

Seychelles issues new banknote family

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 05/12/2016

The Central Bank of Seychelles has today issued its new banknote series, consisting of four banknotes and seven coins. The banknotes, printed by UK banknote printers De La Rue, feature illustrations and security features depicting the Seychelles’ unique biodiversity with various common species portrayed on both the front and reverse of the notes. All banknotes include a…

Royal Joh. Enschedé quits banknote production

Banknotes, Currency, NewsBy SMI 02/12/2016

Dutch security printers Royal Joh. Enschedé have issued a press release advising that, following a change to their strategy, they will soon stop producing banknotes due to over capacity in the banknote market. Instead, the company will focus on being a High Security Printer in the international market for Stamps, Visas and Tax Labels, as well as brand…

Barbados celebrates independence with new banknotes and coins

Banknotes, Coin, NewsBy SMI 01/12/2016

The Central Bank of Barbados has issued a $50 commemorative banknote, celebrating 50 years of independence. The commemorative banknote, printed by UK banknote printer De La Rue, is based on the circulating version, but includes the official 50th anniversary logo displayed at the top right on the front of the banknote. Also in coin The…

De La Rue to continue banknote printing in Malta

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 23/11/2016

De La Rue has announced that it will continue to print banknotes at its factory in Malta. This is a turnaround from last December when the company announced major redundancies at its Malta banknote printing plant, with reportedly a view of eventually phasing out banknote printing activities within the country. A press release from De La Rue confirms…

The new banknote family from Norway

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 23/11/2016

The central bank of Norway has put its new banknote series on public display for the first time at Vippetangen in Oslo from 22 to 27 November. Norges Bank last issued its currently circulating banknote series during the 1990s. Though the level of counterfeiting within the country is low, the central bank decided to issue a…

The next banknote from Colombia: the 2000-peso

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 18/11/2016

The central bank of Colombia, the Banco de la Republica, has announced that the next banknote from its latest series will be issued on 29 November 2016. The 2,000-peso banknote is the fifth denomination of the new family of banknotes to be issued by the central bank, following the 100,000, 50,000, 20,000 and 5,000 all issued earlier…