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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.

Mauritius to release new banknotes from 2017

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 29/06/2016

A press release by the Bank of Mauritius confirms that it aims to begin issuing a new series of banknotes from 2017. A media release dated 17 June 2016 has been presented by the country’s central bank detailing the reasons behind the new banknote series. There are currently seven denominations circulating within the country; Rs25, Rs50, Rs100, Rs200, Rs500,…

New 20,000-peso Colombia banknote issued tomorrow

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 29/06/2016

The new 20,000-peso Colombia banknote will be issued tomorrow according to a press release by the Banco de la Republica, the country’s central bank. The new Colombia banknote is the second of the latest series to be issued into circulation, following the release of the 100,000 banknote on 31 March 2016. The new note will circulate…

Nicaragua wins Best Regional Banknote of the Year

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 24/06/2016

The 2016 Best Regional Banknote of the Year has been awarded to the Banco Central de Nicaragua, the country’s central bank, for its new cordoba series of banknotes. The annual award was presented by Reconnaissance International at the recent High Security Printing Latin America conference held in Mexico on 21 June 2016. According to Reconnaissance, the Banknote of the…

New Euro €50 banknote to be unveiled 5 July 2016

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 16/06/2016

The new euro €50 banknote will be unveiled on 5 July 2016 by the European Central Bank. A press release issued today by the European Central Bank (ECB) confirms that the new euro €50 banknote will be unveiled to the public on 5 July 2016. The €50 note is the fourth of the second series of euro…

Poland to issue new 500 zloty banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 08/06/2016

Poland’s central bank, Narodowy Bank Polski, has confirmed that it will be releasing a new high denomination 500 zloty banknote in February 2017. The bank revealed an educational film of the new note via its Youtube channel on 6 June 2016. Polish banknote denominations Currently, there are five banknote denominations available in Poland consisting of the 20, 50,…

Clydesdale Bank to issue £5 polymer banknote in September

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 06/06/2016

Scotland’s Clydesdale Bank has announced that its new £5 polymer banknote will begin circulating on the 15 September 2016. The new note is printed by De La Rue on its Safeguard® polymer substrate. It incorporates SPARK® Orbital™, the colour changing ink security feature, which is printed over a transparent window allowing it to be seen…

Parallel Libya Central Bank issues alternative notes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 03/06/2016

The Central Bank of Libya of the country’s eastern government has issued new 20- and 50- dinar banknotes. The new 20- and 50- dinar banknote denominations were issued on 1 June 2016 and were reportedly printed in Russia, presumably by the Russian state banknote printers, Goznak. The new notes are similar in design and size to the existing banknotes…

England’s first plastic banknote is revealed

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 02/06/2016

England’s first plastic polymer banknote, the five pound note, has been revealed by the Bank of England Governor Mark Carney. The anticipated new five pound banknote, known as the New Fiver, will be issued into circulation on 13 September 2016. The Bank of England has already printed 440 million of the new notes, with a value of…

IMF helps Somalia with currency reform

Banknotes, Currency, NewsBy SMI 01/06/2016

Somalia is working with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reform its national currency, with the aim of restoring the credibility of the Somali shilling by issuing a new SOS 1,000 banknote. A report produced by the IMF highlights the problems found within the African country, where 95 percent of the currency in circulation is the US…

Egypt printing one pound banknotes for Ramadan

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 27/05/2016

According to Egyptian newspaper Egypt Independent, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) is to start printing 500 million one pound banknotes with the aim of issuing them by the start of Ramadan (7 June 2016). According to prominent banking sources within the country, printing of the one pound banknote was stopped in favour of the equivalent one…