Coins
Central bankers attend Financial Action Task Force meeting
Central bankers from many of the 136 member countries of FATF share thoughts on combating money laundering
Solomon Islands warns of counterfeits and announces new coins
Solomon Islands public warned about counterfeit banknotes in circulation; central bank also announces new coins to be issued
Norges Bank announces end date for public to exchange old banknotes
Norwegians have until November 2012 to exchange old series of banknotes before they are rendered worthless, 11 years after new currency series was introduced
Queen's portraits from banknotes and coins to appear on stamps
New stamps issued to celebrate the Queen’s diamond jubilee; first time the official portraits from banknotes, coins and stamps have been brought together
Estonian central bank finds public retaining kroons as memento
Bank of Estonia study finds 81% of respondents are holding on to some kroon cash; not using it for savings shows confidence in the euro, says head of cash and security department
Malaysia announces new coins’ circulation date
Bank Negara Malaysia announces new coins to enter circulation this month; new banknotes will not be released until the end of 2012
Commemorative euro coin launched
Eurozone countries issue new €2 coin to commemorate 10 years of the currency; few central banks announce the move
Malaysia launches new banknote series
Bank Negara Malaysia reveals designs and security features of five denominations in new currency series
Management of South African Mint Company suspended
South African Reserve Bank announces mystery 'technical issues' uncovered; top management suspended with immediate effect
UK Royal Mint unveils Olympic kilo coins
Royal Mint reveals design of first ever coins weighing one kilo; collectors' items designed by esteemed British artists
Greek reversion to drachma easier than euro conversion, say analysts
If Greece were to leave the eurozone it would have to establish a new currency in record time; analysts explain how the process would be simpler today due to technological advances
Riksbank narrows banknote design contest
Swedish central bank selects eight finalists out of 46 entrants to go on to final stage of krona banknote design competition; winner to be announced next April
EU considers deeper sanctions against Syrian central bank
European Union considers further financial sanctions against Syria amid continued repression of Syrian people; EU foreign affairs committee to discuss on Monday
Finland announces markka conversion deadline
Finns have until February 29 to change markka banknotes and coins to euro; currency outstanding valued at $386 million
China ups gold coin production
People’s Bank of China more than doubles issuance of gold panda coins for 2011; demand outstripping minting
Malaysia announces new banknotes and coins for 2012
Bank Negara Malaysia to issue new banknotes and coins; design will be “distinctively Malaysia”
Russia launches Olympic coins
Bank of Russia launches Sochi 2014 coin series to “promote Olympic values in Russia and abroad”
Sweden picks famous faces for new banknotes
Riksbank announces motifs to be emblazoned on new banknotes; include actress Greta Garbo, author Astrid Lindgren and singer Birgit Nilsson
SNB to close Geneva office as cash distribution services are outsourced
Swiss National Bank says Geneva office will close next year as cash distribution services to be carried out by private firms; fifteen staff affected by closure
Estonia nabs firms over euro leak
Bank of Estonia fines two companies for mishandling euro coins ahead of the currency’s launch in 2011; strong link to coin sale in neighbouring Latvia
Czech National Bank withdraws smallest banknote
Czech National Bank says Kc50 note will be replaced with coin in April; cites cost of replacing notes and change in value
Bank of Russia wants to scrap kopek coin
Russian central bank proposes that one and five kopek coins be abolished due to high metal prices and low demand
Bank of Israel: Currency Department Annual Review (2009)
Bank of Israel currency department’s report for 2009 reviews new cash payments system policy
Holocaust museum slams Romanian central bank over ruling on anti-Semite coin
US Holocaust Memorial Museum labels National Bank of Romania’s decision to keep anti-Semite coin in circulation “misguided”