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.

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Solomon Islands issue new $100 banknote

The Central Bank of the Solomon Islands has issued a new $100 banknote. The new note is the second to be issued from the Solomon Island’s latest series of banknotes, following the $50 banknote issued in 2013. The theme of the note, which was designed and printed in collaboration with De La Rue, is rural…

Upgraded ECCB security thread

ECCB upgrades banknote security threads

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has today issued a press release advising of a security thread upgrade to all its banknote denominations except for the $5. The Bank advises that the upgrade is “in keeping with the advancement in technology to prevent counterfeiting”.   Read the ECCB press release here.  |  See ECCB banknote…

Scottish 5 polymer banknote_Small

Scottish polymer banknote begins circulating

The first fully polymer banknote to be circulated in Great Britain has been launched this week by Clydesdale Bank. The new plastic £5 banknote is available from Clydesdale Bank branches from today, a year before the Bank of England plans to issue its own polymer banknotes. The limited edition banknote is being launched to coincide…

New 1 pound coin design

Royal Mint reveals new pound coin design

The Royal Mint has today revealed the design of the new one pound coin, which has the same shape as the old 12-sided threepence piece (3d) last used in 1971. The reverse (“tails”) side of the coin has been designed by 15 year old David Pearce from Walsall, who took part in a competition launched…

T-Mobile Poland accepts Bitcoin

Mobile phone operator T-Mobile has begun accepting Bitcoin payments for pay-as-you-go phone top-ups in Poland. T-Mobile, one of Poland’s leading mobile phone operators, has begun a 3 month trial offering the virtual currency Bitcoin as an alternate payment option in partnership with Polish payments processor InPay. To help launch this new payment option, T-Mobile is…

Thailand to launch new 100-Baht banknote

The Bank of Thailand has launched a new 100-Baht banknote. The new banknote is part of the 16th series of banknotes issued by Thailand’s Central Bank, and entered circulation on the 26 February 2015. According to the Bank’s press release, the new banknote continues to use the same colour and dimensions as its predecessor, but…

Euro 20 Europa series

ECB unveils new €20 banknote

The European Central Bank has unveiled the new €20 banknote, the latest in the Europa series. The new note, which is the third to be released of the second series of euro banknotes, is to enter circulation on 25 November 2015. It has a number of new security features including an eye catching portrait window…