404 Not Found

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.

Costa Rica upgrades 5000 banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 16/11/2016

The Banco Centrale de Costa Rica, the country’s central bank, has announced that it has upgraded the ¢5000 banknote with new security features. A press release issued by the central bank on 11 November 2016 said that the note had been upgraded as part of efforts to strengthen security features contained within the Costa Rican banknote. Most notably, the…

President Nazarbayev on Kazakhstan banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 16/11/2016

President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, is to feature on new banknotes to be released next month. The National Bank of Kazakhstan, the country’s central bank, has announced that the new 10,000-tenge banknote (GBP £23, US $29) will go into circulation on 1 December 2016, before a national holiday celebrating the President’s long-standing leadership of the country.…

Malawi to issue new high denomination 2000 kwacha banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 14/11/2016

The Reserve Bank of Malawi has announced that it will introduce a new high denomination K2000 banknote. The central bank has confirmed that the new banknote, worth around US $2.70, will enter circulation on 19 December 2016. It will join the existing series of banknotes, consisting of the K20, K50, K100, K200, K500 and K1000. A press release released by…

Colombia issues new 5000-peso banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 10/11/2016

The Banco de la República, the central bank of Colombia, has issued the 5000-peso banknote, the fourth in the latest banknote series. The new note began circulating in Colombia yesterday, on the 9 November 2016. It follows the release of the $100,000, $50,000 and $20,000 all issued during 2016. Its design is a predominantly coffee brown colour and includes illustrations…

India suddenly scraps 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes

Banknotes, Currency, NewsBy SMI 09/11/2016

A surprise announcement was made last night by India’s Prime Minister who advised that the 1,000 and 500 rupee banknotes have been scrapped. The move is part of a crackdown on corruption and illegal cash holdings. During his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that “Black money and corruption are the biggest obstacles in eradicating…

Seychelles to introduce new family of banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 07/11/2016

The Central Bank of Seychelles has confirmed that it will soon be issuing a new family of banknotes and coins. A press release from the central bank dated 3 November 2016 confirmed that a new family of banknotes and coins is to be issued by the Bank during December 2016. The new family commemorates 40…

Macedonia introduces new banknote denominations

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 06/11/2016

The National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia has confirmed that it will soon be introducing new denominations to its banknote series, the 200 and 2,000 denar. The new notes will be circulated from 15 December 2016. At the same time, the central bank will begin to withdraw the…

Georgia circulates upgraded 100 Lari banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 02/11/2016

On 1 November 2016, the National Bank of Georgia issued an upgraded 100 lari banknote into circulation. The colourful design continues to use traditional themes of the Georgian banknote series, but includes updated cultural and historical elements. Security features include an optically variable ink feature, a striped foil, see through register and tactile lines…

Venezuela to issue new high denomination banknotes

Banknotes, Currency, NewsBy SMI 28/10/2016

It is reported that the government of Venezuela is planning to issue new high value banknotes this December. The country’s economy has faced hyperinflation in recent years and it is forecast to reach 1,600% next year. The bolivar was revalued in 2008 at a ratio of 1 to 1,000, and the new currency, complete with…

Royal Bank of Scotland issues polymer £5 banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 27/10/2016

The Royal Bank of Scotland’s first polymer banknote entered circulation today, following the trend set by other Scottish issuing authorities, the Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank. The design of the new note was announced in April earlier this year. It features Scottish poet Nan Shepherd and is the first of the new “Fabric of…