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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.

Central Bank of Bolivia issues 50 boliviano banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 17/10/2018

The Central Bank of Bolivia has issued and circulated the new 50 boliviano banknote, the third in the latest First Family of Tickets (PFB) of the Plurinational State [translated] following the issuance of the 10 and 20 boliviano banknotes earlier this year. As with all the denominations of the new banknote series, each denomination maintains the same colour…

England £50 to be printed on polymer substrate

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 13/10/2018

The Bank of England has announced that the new £50 banknote will be printed on polymer, joining the rest of the banknote series. The news was announced via a press release issued by the central bank today. Other denominations of the latest banknote series issued by the Bank of England are already printed on Guardian®…

Iraq issues modernised banknote series

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 08/10/2018

The Central Bank of Iraq has issued its second edition of banknotes with enhanced designs and modern security features aimed at reflecting the nation’s heritage and diversity. Five of the denominations from the current series have been upgraded, namely the 25,000, 10,000, 1,000, 500 and 250 dinar notes. They will circulate alongside the previous banknote designs first…

Bahamas launch CRISP series $20 banknote with Active™ thread

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 01/10/2018

The Central Bank of Bahamas has launched the third denomination of their CRISP banknote series, the $20 banknote featuring De La Rue’s Active™ thread. The Central Bank of the Bahamas is gradually issuing their CRISP (Counterfeit Resistant Integrated Security Product) Evolution banknote series, having already issued the 10 dollar denomination in 2016 and the 1 dollar…

De La Rue launches Ignite® colour shifting security thread

Banknotes, News, TechnologyBy SMI 27/09/2018

De La Rue launches Ignite®, a new liquid crystal colour shifting security thread with advanced optical microstructure technologies. De La Rue’s latest banknote security feature, Ignite®, was launched this week at the Mint & Print International 2018 conference being held in Lebanon. According to De La Rue, its new thread is a highly complex, technological innovation that…

Ukraine upgrades 20 hryvnia banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 25/09/2018

The National Bank of Ukraine has begun circulating an upgraded 20-hryvnia banknote with improved security features. A press release from the central bank reports that 60 million of the upgraded 20-hryvnia banknotes will be printed in total, which will gradually replace older, worn out notes. Whilst the design of the upgraded 20-hryvnia banknote continues to feature main elements used…

De La Rue wins Sveriges Riksbank banknote contract

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 20/09/2018

De La Rue has been appointed by Sweden’s Sveriges Riksbank to produce Swedish Krona banknotes for the next three years. A press release issued today by De La Rue confirmed the decision by Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank. Sweden’s banknotes used to be supplied by Crane Currency, but the company announced last year that they were going to…

ECB unveils Europa €100 and €200 banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 18/09/2018

The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled the new €100 and €200 banknote denominations from the Europa euro banknote series. The new banknotes will enter circulation on 28 May 2019, joining the other denominations of the Europa family consisting of the €5, €10, €20 and €50. The design of the latest denominations uses similar security features…

Uruguay issues polymer $50 banknote

NewsBy SMI 13/09/2018

The Central Bank of Uruguay has presented a new $50 polymer banknote to commemorate the country’s 50th anniversary of the Institution. Security features include what appears to be a foil placed within a clear window, visible from each side of the banknote. There are also raised tactile marks to aid those with visual impairments to identify…

Eastern Caribbean to issue polymer banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 11/09/2018

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has announced that it will issue a new series of polymer banknotes in 2019, the first polymer notes to be issued by the Bank. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has issued a short film describing the new banknote family, and its reasons for changing to polymer: According to the ECCB, the decision…