Banknotes
Liberia in line for new largest banknote
Liberia to have first new banknote series in 16 years, including a L$500 for the first time; all notes to be printed on a “higher-quality substrate”
Sri Lanka invites bids to mint 970 million coins
Central bank calling for four denominations of coin to be minted by end-March 2019; looking for mints with experience of supplying foreign countries with circulation coins
331,000 counterfeit notes withdrawn in H1 2016 – ECB
Figures show 80% of all the counterfeits were €20 and €50 notes; number of total counterfeits withdrawn in first half of 2016 lower year on year
Research explores lifting fingerprints from polymer notes
Team of scientists trial technique to ‘lift’ fingerprint from polymer surface; stress suitability of elemental copper for use in forensic examinations
Russian public to vote on new banknote designs
The 200 and 2,000 ruble notes will bear symbols of Russian cities voted on by public; winning designs announced in October 2016, notes to enter circulation in 2017
Bank of England banknote first in the world to feature new foil technology
BoE launches new fiver with ‘Kinegram Colors’ technology taking centre stage; new note to enter circulation in September
Philippines central bank reveals counterfeiting arrests
Central bank says it was behind four successful anti-counterfeiting operations in Q1; has the legal authority to make arrests and seize property
Norges Bank reveals methods used to monitor banknote quality
Central bank to conduct ‘fitness surveys’ twice annually, analysing a host of variables to define which banknotes are suitable for circulation
Denmark outsources coin minting to Finland
Mint of Finland wins tender to produce krone coins, as National Bank of Denmark seeks to cut costs by closing down its coin and banknote operations
Antti Heinonen says cash is still relevant in modern society
Former ECB head of banknotes says cash is still evolving to keep pace with new payments technology, and banknote designs are staying ahead of counterfeiters
To play the counterfeiter
The Reproduction Research Centre in Copenhagen helps central banks to counterfeit colour-shifting technology and machine-readable codes on banknotes in a bid to reduce fraud
Bolivia to get new largest denomination banknote
New 500 boliviano note will be part of first new series in almost 30 years; central bank estimates the project will cost around $45 million
Norges Bank notes to feature innovative optical thread
Choice of security features swayed Norges Bank away from polymer; new series of notes to feature Crane security thread
ECB scraps production of €500 note citing concern over illicit activities
The European Central Bank will stop producing the €500 note over concerns it facilitates criminal activities; move does not aim to increase the effectiveness of monetary policy, spokesman says
JMW Turner to appear on new £20 banknote
Painter chosen from 590 British visual artists to adorn new polymer £20 note, after lengthy selection process; note scheduled to enter circulation by 2020
Women feature heavily on new US dollar designs
Final designs to be announced in 2020, Treasury secretary announces; while security features are yet to be announced, multiple historic female figures will be incorporated into designs
New Zealand launches remaining banknotes in new series
Final three denominations will circulate from May 16; central bank creates interactive website allowing users to manipulate new notes and get acquainted with security and design features
Swiss National Bank bolsters security features of first banknote in new series
The new series printed on three-layered substrate boasts a range of new security features; Sfr50 enters circulation on April 12
UK mint starts production of ‘ground-breaking’ pound coins
Elements from the emblems of all four UK nations will feature on reverse of the coin; details of certain counterfeiting features revealed
Canadian public put forward women for spot on new banknote
Bank of Canada to launch new polymer banknote in 2018 featuring an “iconic” Canadian woman; Nellie McClung announced as first nomination
Tighter quality standards on banknotes not needed, DNB paper suggests
The Netherlands Bank maintains the European minimum standard for sorting euro banknotes, as study sees no reason to impose stricter requirements
Sarb seeks release of banknotes from detained plane
The South African Reserve Bank confirms an aircraft carrying a consignment of banknotes has been detained in Zimbabwe, after the discovery of a dead body
ECB ‘actively considering’ whether to scrap €500 note, Cœuré says
Executive board member says he finds arguments in favour of keeping highest denomination note ‘less and less convincing’, as evidence mounts of its role in corruption and crime
Innovative print techniques are key for new Georgian banknotes
National Bank of Georgia launches two denominations from first new series for 20 years; dedicated website accompanies the launch