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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.

Argentina issues new 200-peso banknote denomination

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 27/10/2016

Following the introduction of a new high denomination 500-peso banknote in June of this year, the Banco Central de la República Argentina has introduced a new 200-peso paper banknote within the indigenous animal series. The design of the note, which is a new denomination within the Argentinian currency structure, is predominantly blue in colour and…

Pakistan issues new 10-rupee coin

Coin, NewsBy SMI 25/10/2016

The State Bank of Pakistan has introduced a new 10-rupee coin that will circulate alongside the current 10-rupee banknote first issued in 2006. Though there are no reports of the banknote being withdrawn, it is thought the move to coin will help to minimise the costs of replacing the highly used 10-rupee banknote given the…

Bank of Scotland issues £5 polymer banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 04/10/2016

Following the release of the Clydesdale Bank polymer £5 banknote last week, the Bank of Scotland has today issued their own polymer version. The new banknote will be available from Bank of Scotland branches from today, and will become more widely available across the country in due course. The new note differs to the previous…

Sweden launches new banknotes and coins

Banknotes, Coin, NewsBy SMI 03/10/2016

Sweden has launched the remaining banknotes and coins of its latest currency series today, with the new 100 and 500 krona banknotes and 1, 2 and 5 coins. The new banknotes and coins complete the latest currency series issued from Sveriges Riksbank, the central bank of Sweden, following the initial release of the 20, 50,…

Bahamas launches new banknote with De La Rue’s Active™ security thread

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 29/09/2016

The Central Bank of the Bahamas has launched the new $10 banknote, the first to be issued of their new CRISP (Counterfeit Resistant Integrated Security Product) Evolution series of banknotes. The new paper banknote, designed and printed by De La Rue in collaboration with the central bank, is the first circulating banknote to include De…

Clydesdale Bank’s £5 polymer banknote enters circulation

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 27/09/2016

Clydesdale Bank has today issued into circulation its new £5 polymer banknote. The new full circulation banknote follows the introduction of the commemorative version issued in 2015. Image courtesy of De La Rue. The banknote includes De La Rue‘s SPARK® Orbital™ security features incorporating SICPA‘s colour changing SPARK® ink, shown in green over the illustration of…

Crane Currency to build new banknote printing facility in Malta

Banknotes, News, TechnologyBy SMI 23/09/2016

Banknote supplier Crane Currency has confirmed that it plans to build a new banknote printing facility and customer experience centre in Malta. According to Crane’s press release dated 22 September 2016, the new facility will represent an investment of US $100 million for the construction of the factory, the machinery and the equipment. The new…

Bahrain upgrades banknote security features

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 15/09/2016

The Central Bank of Bahrain has upgraded its BD10 and BD20 banknotes with new security features. The notes, last issued in 2008, continue to use the same design but now include several new security features. Gemini® – from De La Rue. Shown at the top right of the front of the banknote as the Arabic numeral 10…

The polymer New Fiver banknote issued today in UK

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 13/09/2016

The Bank of England has today issued the New Fiver banknote using a polymer substrate, the first to be used by the Bank. The banknote is printed by De La Rue and uses Innovia Security’s Guardian® substrate, which, say Innovia, is resistant to dirt and moisture helping to improve the banknote’s longevity – at least 2.5…

Australia Next Generation $5 banknote issued today

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 01/09/2016

The Reserve Bank of Australia has today issued its new $5 polymer banknote. It is the first of the new series to be issued, as part of the central bank’s Next Generation Banknote Program. The $5 note is printed using Innovia Security’s Guardian® polymer substrate and contains a variety of new security features. This includes the first…