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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.

Gemini™ Microtext used in 2018 Botswana P10 banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 29/05/2018

De La Rue has confirmed that the recently issued Botswana 10-pula banknote is the first circulating note to include its Gemini™ Microtext security feature. The Gemini™ Microtext security feature from De La Rue is an evolution of its Gemini™ ultraviolet (UV) security feature, which consists of a combination of two colour matched inks that fluoresce under UV illumination…

Ulster Bank unveils vertical polymer banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 25/05/2018

Northern Ireland’s Ulster Bank has unveiled the new £5 and £10 polymer banknotes due to be issued next year, featuring a vertical design. It is the first time that a banknote has been designed vertically in Britain and Ireland. Indeed, only a handful of notes around the world are designed this way including Switzerland, Bermuda and…

Azerbaijan to issue new high value 200 manat banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 24/05/2018

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has announced that it will soon be circulating a new high value 200 manat denomination banknote, following the country’s economic growth. Azerbaijan’s current high value circulating banknote is the 100 manat note, valued at around US $59. However, following a decade of growth, the Central Bank decided that its current currency structure needed to…

PNO Global enters agreement with De La Rue

Currency, News, TechnologyBy SMI 24/05/2018

PNO Global, supplier of banknote varnish and solutions for fitness sorting, quality control and counterfeit analysis, has entered into a joint development agreement with De La Rue. PNO Global is the producer of the Snowfish® banknote sorter range. The partnership between the two companies is intended to incorporate “joint product development and related sales execution on…

New coin commemorates Poland’s independence

Coin, NewsBy SMI 24/05/2018

A commemorative 5-zloty coin has been issued by Poland’s Central Bank, the Narodowy Bank Polski, to commemorate 100 years of regaining independence. The commemorative coin was issued on 22 May 2018, in advance of Poland’s independence day which falls later this year on 11 November. The bimetal 5-zloty coin has a silver coloured manganese (MN25) ring…

Russia issues commemorative FIFA World Cup banknote

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 23/05/2018

The Bank of Russia has issued a commemorative 100-ruble polymer banknote to mark the 2018 FIFA World Cup which is to be hosted by Russia. The vertically orientated design of the FIFA banknote features illustrations of footballs including a goalkeeper in action and small child holding a football. The predominant colours used in the design are…

ICA appoints new Chair and Board members

Banknotes, Currency, NewsBy SMI 23/05/2018

The International Currency Association (ICA) has appointed Wolfram Seidemann of Giesecke&Devrient Currency Technology as its new Chairman. The previous Chairman, Barna Barabas of JURA, stepped down from the position but remains a Board member. The ICA, founded in 2016, states it is “a voice for cash, promoting its continuing role as part of diverse, open and…

De La Rue partners with OPTEL to create anticounterfeit solutions

News, TechnologyBy SMI 21/05/2018

De La Rue has announced that it has agreed to a new strategic partnership with OPTEL to produce anti-counterfeit solutions for the brand protection industry. OPTEL is a “leading provider of end-to-end traceability systems”, providing anti-counterfeit solutions particularly for the pharmaceuticals market. In a press release, De La Rue says that this move will “leverage…

Riksbank looks for new banknote supplier to replace Crane

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 21/05/2018

Sweden’s Sveriges Riksbank has stated that it will find a replacement banknote supplier following Crane’s announcement that it is relocating to Malta. The announcement from the Central Bank came following news published last week that Crane Currency will be relocating its banknote printing facilities from Tumba in Sweden to Malta. The Bank responded to Crane’s relocation news on Friday…

Macedonia issues polymer low value banknotes

Banknotes, NewsBy SMI 16/05/2018

The Central Bank of Macedonia has begun circulating polymer versions of its lowest two banknote denominations, the 10 and 50 denar notes. Macedonia’s two lowest value banknote denominations have been upgraded from traditional cotton paper substrate to polymer. The Central Bank’s aim is to reduce long-term banknote production and processing costs through increased banknote durability. The new polymer…