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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.

Myanmar releases new 10,000 banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 02/07/2015

Various online news sources have reported that the Central Bank of Myanmar has circulated a new 10,000-kyat banknote. The note, which is the highest denomination of the Myanmar banknote series and worth around US$8.70, is reported to have “improved” security features to help reduce the risk of counterfeiting. The new note will circulate alongside the…

Tonga issues new currency series

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 01/07/2015

On Monday the 29th June, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga issued a new series of banknotes and coins. The new currency designs replace the portrait of the late King George Tupou V with his successor and brother, King Tupou VI. The new coronation currency replaces all coins and banknotes with up to date security…

Mobile payments encourage tipping

Cashless Payments, NewsBy SMI 26/06/2015

An article by American news channel CNBC reports of an increase in tipping within some service businesses since the introduction of mobile payments. Restaurants are reporting that they have seen an increase in the percent value which has been given as a tip when paying for their meal since they installed mobile payment systems within…

Poland to Introduce 500 Zloty Banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 23/06/2015

The National Bank of Poland has reportedly announced that it will be issuing a 500 zloty banknote. The Central Bank has said that the new denomination, which will become the highest denomination in the Polish banknote series, will be issued within the next 2 years. The new note design will include a portrait of King…

De La Rue partners with Dai Nippon Printing

Coin, News, TechnologyBy SMI 12/06/2015

De La Rue plc. announced yesterday that it had joined forces with Japanese printing company Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd (DNP) to collaboratively develop anti-counterfeit technologies for secure identity documents. The announcement said that the agreement was signed earlier this month and that the partnership will: “centre on the development and delivery of sophisticated new…

Kuwait wins IACA banknote award

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 19/05/2015

During the annual Currency Conference, held this year in Vancouver, Canada, the International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) announced that the sixth issue of Kuwaiti Dinar banknotes had been awarded the 2015 International Award for Best Banknote Issue. The highly noted IACA award was determined by Central Banks from around the world and other international…

Phone app identifies counterfeit euros

Banknotes, News, TechnologyBy SMI 19/05/2015

The Dutch National Bank (DNB) has released an app which can be used to identify if a euro banknote is genuine or counterfeit. The app, which can be used on the iPhone 5 or higher, uses the device’s camera to scan the banknote and, the DNB claims, in many cases can identify straightaway whether the…

Maldives banknotes to use Safeguard® polymer substrate

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 13/05/2015

The Maldives Monetary Authority, the country’s Central Bank, has announced that its next series of banknotes will be printed using De La Rue’s Safeguard® polymer substrate. The new family of notes will consist of denominations currently circulating (10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 Rufiyaa), the new 1,000 Rufiyaa note which is due to be issued in…

Trinidad & Tobago wins 2014 Bank Note of the Year

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 11/05/2015

The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) has announced that the winner of the 2014 Bank Note of the Year award is the 50 dollar polymer note from the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. The note, collaboratively produced by the Central Bank and De La Rue, commemorates the Bank’s 50th anniversary and has been in…

Burundi Issues New Banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 04/05/2015

On the 29th April 2015, the Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB), the country’s Central Bank, launched a new series of banknotes consisting of BIF 500, BIF 2000, BIF 5,000 and BIF 10,000 notes. The paper notes are designed using bright colours, different to the design of the denominations before them: the 500 is…