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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.

Czech National Bank upgrades 100 and 200 koruna banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 06/09/2018

The Czech National Bank has upgraded its 100 and 200 koruna banknotes, including a colour-shifting security thread featuring Louisenthal’s Pole® anti-counterfeit feature. The new notes began circulating yesterday, on 05 September 2018. The design of the new 100 and 200 koruna banknotes are based on the previous versions first issued in 1993. However, improved security features have…

HSBC Hong Kong unveils new banknote designs

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 04/09/2018

HSBC Hong Kong have unveiled their new family of banknotes which are due to begin circulating later this year, designed in collaboration with De La Rue. The new banknote series continues to use the same denominations of HK$20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000. Images courtesy of De La Rue. The theme of the banknote series is…

Reserve Bank of India considers banknote varnish

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 30/08/2018

The Reserve Bank of India has announced that it is considering introducing banknote varnish for its latest banknote series. The Reserve Bank of India’s 2017-18 Annual report, published yesterday, reports that the central bank is exploring the feasibility of increasing the life of Indian banknotes through the use of banknote varnish. According to the central…

Mexico issues new 500-pesos banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 28/08/2018

Mexico’s central bank, the Banco de Mexico has started circulating its new 500-pesos banknote, the first of its latest Type G banknote series. The Mexico central bank started circulating its new 500-pesos banknote yesterday, the 27 August 2018. The note, 146 x 65mm in size, has a predominantly blue colour scheme and is printed on…

Canada’s Viola Desmond $10 note to circulate late 2018

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 23/08/2018

Canada’s Viola Desmond commemorative $10 banknote is to become a standard circulating banknote in the country later this year. The Viola Desmond commemorative banknote, released to celebrate the country’s 150th anniversary, is the country’s first banknote to have a vertical design. The 2017 version of the banknote will be considered a limited print, with the…

Poland’s PWPW to produce Guatemalan banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 21/08/2018

PWPW, the Polish Security Printing Works, have signed an agreement with the Banco de Guatemala for the production of 5- and 10-quetzal banknotes. The Polish printworks will begin to produce the Guatemalan banknotes later this year. According to the printworks, this latest agreement is the biggest order agreed with the Central Bank of Guatamala, with the President of the Management…

Venezuela finally issues new banknote series

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 20/08/2018

After several delays, the Central Bank of Venezuela has finally issued its new Sovereign Bolivar banknote series amidst hyperinflation. The Venezuela Sovereign Bolivar has had 5 zeros removed from its currency, with the currency changed at a rate of 1 new bolivar to to 100,000 old bolivars. Banknote denominations of the new currency consist of Bs.S. 2, 5, 10, 20,…

Argentina circulates 50-peso banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 16/08/2018

The Central Bank of Argentina has circulated its new 50-peso banknote, the latest denomination from its new banknote series. The new banknote is part of the “Native Animals of Argentina” banknote series and features an image of the Andean Condor, a national symbol of the country. The 50-peso paper banknote is the fifth out of…

Swiss 200-franc banknote to be issued next week

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 16/08/2018

The Swiss National Bank has announced that it will release the new 200-franc note from its Ninth Banknote Series on 22 August 2018. Switzerland’s central bank, the Swiss National Bank (SNB), made the announcement in a press release published yesterday (15 August 2018). The Swiss 200-franc banknote is the fourth of six denominations to be…

India reveals Mahatma Gandhi ₹ 100 denomination banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 20/07/2018

The design of the Mahatma Gandhi series ₹ 100 banknote denomination has been revealed by the Reserve Bank of India, which says it will issue the note in the near future. The design of the Mahatma Gandhi series paper banknote features a lavender colour scheme and is 66mm by 142mm in size. The key security feature…