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.

Ghana 50 Cedi 2007

Ghana Withdraws Old 50 Cedi banknote

Banknotes, News

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has informed the general public and all banks that as of September 30, 2012, the old GH¢50 banknotes are no longer legal tender and should therefore not be issued to members of the public. This follows the release of the new GH¢50 banknote in August this year which features a…

New Teller Cash Recycler: Talaris Vertera 6G™

News, Technology

On the 24th August 2012, Talaris™ launched their new cash recycler, the Vertera 6G™. Cash recyclers enable bank and retail branches to manage their cash efficiently and securely, providing a fast yet reliable method of cash management within businesses such as bank and retail branches. Even with a small footprint, the Vertera 6G™ is able…

Upgraded 50 Cedi Banknote Released by Bank of Ghana

Banknotes, News

On the 21st August 2012, the Bank of Ghana (BOG) issued the upgraded GH¢50 banknote. The upgraded version was designed to enhance the security and maintain the integrity of the banknote. According to the BOG’s Vice President, Mr. Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, though counterfeiting of the GH¢50 is not a high concern, the Bank aims to move…

EU flag

Decline in ECB Euro Counterfeit Statistics

Banknotes, Currency, News

The counterfeit statistics for the first half of 2012 have now been released by the European Central Bank (ECB). The total number of counterfeit euro banknotes which were removed from circulation during the 6 months from January to June 2012 totalled 251,000, a decrease of 15.2% compared to the same period in 2011. However, when comparing the number of…

Malawi 1000 banknote

New Malawi Banknotes Cause Problems For Visually Impaired

Banknotes, News

Following the recent release of the new Malawi series of banknotes and coins, the Malawi Union of the Blind (MUB) have made a complaint to the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) stating that “the visually impaired community are finding it difficult to differentiate between the banknotes”. The banknotes do not have features which are easily recognisable to visually…

De La Rue plc reports full year results

Currency, News

This morning De La Rue plc reported its full year results for 2011/2012. The largest commercial producer of banknotes and security documents is seemingly recovering from the paper production issues that affected banknote paper supply to one of its key clients, the Reserve Bank of India. The compliance scandal of summer 2010 cost the company…