Chinese renminbi "Super fakes":
A number of fake Chinese 100 renminbi forgeries have appeared in the market. They are nearly perfect, engraved, with the "Optical variable ink" imprint and genuine looking segmented security thread. We conducted a nuclear test of the ink used to print them and the OVI, and both are very similar in the genuine and the forgery. Due to the confidential nature of this matter, we invite subscribers to contact us by email to aefron@mriguide.com to be informed of the characteristics that distinguish the genuine from the fake notes. Please include your phone number. ..................................09MAR10

England: The Bank of England will withdraw from circulation the "Elgar" 20 pounds notes, as of June 30. After that date these notes may be redeemed at the Bank of England without time limit. After June 30, and for a limited time, commercial banks, building societies and Post Offices will accept these notes for deposit.
(for details click here) .......................................................................................09MAR10

United States of America: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing will present the new 100 dollars bill on April 21. (for details click here) ..........................................07MAR10

Canada: It was announced today that the Bank of Canada will issue polymer notes in 2011. (for details click here) .............................................................................05MAR10

Singapore: The 1,000 dollars note signed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore has finally been issued. (Courtesy Vincent Tan and Owen Linzmayer) ..................02MAR10

Ghana: Bank of Ghana plans to issue 2 new cedi notes. The current family has 1 and 5 cedi notes, but the bank has considered that it is necessary to add this denomination to facilitate transactions. (Courtesy Modern Ghana) ..............................................26FEB10

Jersey: The Treasury has presented its new notes which will be in circulation in April. (for details click here and here) ..........................................................................23FEB10

Vanuatu: The Reserve Bank of Vanuatu announced that it will issue a new family of notes, printed on polymer substrate. The first denomination, announced for July 30, is the 10,000 vatu. Its release will coincide with the 30th Anniversary of Independence. About two years ago the bank invited citizens to opine on the convenience of issuing this new
denomination, because so far the highest one was the 5,000 vatu.
(for details click here) .........................................................................................22FEB10

Rwanda: With the release of the 5,000 francs denomination, the new family of notes bearing the new name "BANKI NKURU Y"U RWANDA" is completed. In the older series the name of the bank was spelled "BANKI NASIYONALI Y'U RWANDA."
............................................................................................................................18FEB10

Guatemala: The expected banknotes of 200 quetzales will not be issued in early March, as previously announced. Instead they are expected to be placed in circulation by mid-year. (Courtesy Banco de Guatemala). ..............................................................18FEB10

Sweden: The Sveriges Bank is considering replacing the 20 kronor note with a coin, and to issue a 200 kronor note, according to the minutes of the meeting that took place on Feb.1. (Courtesy Owen Linzmayer, for details click here) .................................18FEB10

Bangladesh: New notes with the portrait of Sheik Mujibur Rahman will be ready by the end of the year.(for details click here) ................................................................17FEB10

Switzerland: The release of the new family of notes has been postponed till 2012, instead of Fall of 2010. The delay is due to the need to test advanced security features.
(for details click here) .........................................................................................17FEB10

Pakistan: This is the picture of the improved note of 500 rupees. The flag at the right of the front is printed with optical variable ink........................................................15FEB10

Somalia: The Government of Puntland, a region of Northeast Somalia, has denounced Somalia's plan to issue a new currency to be printed in Sudan.
(for details click here) .........................................................................................13FEB10

Algeria: In 2006 a truck carrying 44 rolls of special paper destined to the printing of Algerian notes was hijacked, presumably by the Neapolitan Camorra. This paper was used to print illegally huge amounts of 1,000 dinars notes. As many of these notes are still floating in the market, it is necessary to check them very carefully, because they are printed on true banknote paper. (for details click here) .................................11FEB10

Costa Rica: The first notes of the new family will start circulating in May. These are the 20,000 and 50,000 colones, the highest denominations in the new series, which are being printed now in France by Oberthur Technologies. These will be presented in late April, and after ATM tests, they are intended to be placed in circulation in May. Other denominations will come later. (for details click here) .......................................11FEB10

Norway: After the Norges Bank decided to close its own banknote printing facility, its notes will be printed by De la Rue and Oberthur. The first ones are the 50 kroner to be put into circulation soon, and the 500 kroner to be issued at the end of the year. The foreign printed notes differ from the ones printed in Norway because they will have a serial letter prefix. (for details click here) ...........................................................11FEB10

Iraq: The Central Bank of Iraq plans to re-denominate its currency by lopping off three zeros, Radio Free Europe informed today. New banknotes will be issued by the end of the year, with the old ones co-circulating, until totally withdrawn
(for details click here) .........................................................................................08FEB10

Syria: The Central Bank of Syria announced that it plans to issue a new family of notes in the second half of 2010. (for details click here) ..............................................08FEB10

Honduras: The Central Bank will contemplate the possibility of withdrawing from circulation the new polymer 20 lempiras notes. These notes are dated 31 July 2008, at which time the signers were not in exercise of their positions as Central Bank president and Minister for Finance. (for details click here) ................................................08FEB10

Dominican Republic: This is the picture of the modified 2008 50 peso note. Notice that the medallion with the value in the back is a full circle as opposed to the semicircle of the previous one. .........................................................................................04FEB10

Afghanistan: Here is the picture of the improved 1,000 afghanis note recently issued. (Courtesy Claudio Marana) ...........................................................................04FEB10

Indonesia: Notes of 1,000 rupiah are going to be replaced by coins. The minting of 900 million pieces is slated for April. (for details click here) ..........................04FEB10

Egypt: The notes of 1 Egyptian pound and 50 piastres (=1/2 pound) are being replaced by coins, and while still accepted, are becoming rare.
(Courtesy Tristan Kolm) .................................................................................04FEB10

Brazil: The introduction of a new family of notes has been announced by the Central Bank. The first denominations to be released will be the 50 and 100 reais, probably by mid-year, with the other ones gradually released by 2012. While the notes maintain the colors and motifs of the current ones, they are designed to be of different sizes, and with improved security devices. Both old and new series will co-circulate, the old notes being withdrawn as they become unfit. ()
(Courtesy Claudio Amato, for details click here) ............................................03FEB10

Sierra Leone: The bank of Sierra Leone plans to issue in the near future a new family of notes similar to the current ones, but of reduced size and with improved security features. (Courtesy BSL) .................................................................................03FEB10

Georgia: The notes of 2 lari are still accepted, but seldom seen in circulation, as they were replaced by coins. In the next edition of our guide they will be moved to the "Outmoded and Redeemable notes" section. ..................................................01FEB10

Bosnia-Hercegovina: All 5 konvertibilnih maraka notes are out of circulation, and may be redeemed until the end of March. .......................................................01FEB10

Lebanon: There are plans for the issue of a new family of notes in the second part of the year. It promises to be very sophisticated, and it will include higher denominations. The notes will be printed on a paper substrate, as it was decided, after consultation with the public, not to use polymer. .......................................................................01FEB10

United Arab Emirates: A 200 dirhams note dated 2008, similar to the previous note, but with the new arms at the top center front has been recently issued. A picture will be posted soon. (Courtesy Wakim Wakim) .........................................................29JAN10

Italy: The redemption of medium and large amounts of Italian lire is subject to revision and approval. Over the counter redemption of such amounts is not done on the spot.
It is possible that in the future the redemption of lire may become even more restricted.
........................................................................................................................27JAN10

Pakistan: As of 25 January 500 rupees notes will be improved by the addition of an Optical Variable Ink imprint. (Courtesy geo) .................................................25JAN10

Somalia: The Somali government signed an agreement with Sudan for the printing of new currency. The denominations planned are 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; 10,000 and 50,000 shillings. Mr. Abdirahman Yarisow, Somali minister of finance, indicated that the process will take time and that there are difficulties because the central government only controls part of the country.
(Courtesy Africa Comments and Alshahid Network) .....................................20JAN10

Honduras: the plans to issue a 1,000 lempiras note have been abandoned for the time being. The project to replace 1; 2 and 5 lempiras notes for coins is still being considered, and subject to the final decision by the new authorities to assume power in late January. The Central Bank is studying the reaction of the public to the new polymer notes to decide whether other denomination will also be printed on this substrate. (Courtesy Banco Central de Honduras) .........................................17JAN10

Bolivia: In new coins recently issued the country's name has been changed from "República de Bolivia" to "Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia." It is expected that eventually this will happen with its banknotes, as current stocks are used up, and new notes are ordered. (click here for details) ........................................................17JAN10

Jersey, Channel Islands: A press release about the new notes is expected in late February. The notes will most likely be issued in March.
(Courtesy The Treasury, St Helier) .................................................................17JAN10

Jersey, Channel Islands: It was recently announced that a 100 pounds note will be part of the new family of notes. However, while the denominations of 1 through 50 pounds are to be released in February, the 100 pounds note will be issued at a later date. (Courtesy Wanted in Europe) .................................................................16JAN10

Nepal: The first notes issued by the Republic had a red flower covering the king's portrait in the watermark area. Because the old paper was used up, the new 1,000 rupees notes, just released, now have a flower watermark, instead of the king's portrait.
(Courtesy Claudio Marana).............................................................................15JAN10

Nicaragua: The Central Bank of Nicaragua has issued yesterday a polymer 500 córdobas note. (Courtesy BCN) ......................................................................15JAN10

Korea DPR: Here are the pictures of some of the revalued notes issued in late 2009.
(Courtesy Ebay) ..............................................................................................15JAN10

Botswana: Even though older notes have ceased to be legal tender at the end of 2009, these are still being accepted in commerce. In any event the Bank of Botswana will keep redeeming them until the end of 2014.
(Courtesy Botsnet) ...........................................................................................15JAN10

Poland: The National Bank plans to issue later this year a 20 slotzy commemorative note to commemorate Frédéric Chopin's birth bicentennial. Most likely the issue will be limited and the note will be sold at a premium over the face value.
(Courtesy NBP) ...............................................................................................15JAN10

Nepal: The first notes issued by the Republic had a red flower covering the king's portrait in the watermark area. Because the old paper was used up, since September new notes have a flower watermark, instead of the king's portrait. ................13JAN10

Honduras: The Central Bank has released today a new polymer 20 lempiras note.
(Courtesy of Claudio Marana) ......................................................................12JAN10

Rwanda: A new 5,000 francs note dated 01-02-2009 has been recently issued. The Bank's name has been changed, as well as the perfect register device.
(Courtesy of Richard Miranda and Rui Manuel Palhares/Banknote News)
........................................................................................................................11JAN10

Dominican Republic.: The Central Bank announced on Jan. 6 the release of an improved version of the 50 pesos banknote dated 2008.
(For more details click here) ..........................................................................10JAN10

Chile: The day for the start of circulation of the planned new 10,000 peso note has
been set for March 3, 2010. ............................................................................09JAN10

Zimbabwe: The multicurrency system will remain in place for at least 3 more years, thus ruling out the reintroduction of a local currency in the near term.
(Courtesy allafrica.com) ................................................................................07JAN10

Philippines: A new family of redesigned notes is being planned for issue one year after approval by Pres. Arroyo. The 500 piso note will have the portraits of Benigno and Corazon Aquino, while the back of the notes will show Philippine national wonders. Coins will also be redesigned.
(Courtesy Philstar.com) .................................................................................06JAN10

Chile: The Banco Central de Chile will make public tomorrow Jan. 6 the design and date of issue of the new note of 10,000 pesos.
(Courtesy El Mercurio) ..................................................................................05JAN10

Previous	Recent

Iceland: The latest 1,000 krónur notes bear one signature, instead of two as it was usual up to recently. ........................................................................................04JAN10

Israel: The new notes planned for 2012 will be denominated in "sheqalims" and not in "new" sheqalims. Contrary to what was originally announced, it seems that the new notes will not show politicians and will have instead religious, scientific, and cultural personalities. (for more details click here) .....................................................30DEC09

Kazakstan: Will issue in January 5, 2010 a 1,000 tenge note to commemorate the presidency of Kazakhstan of the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2010. (for more details click here.) ............................................................30DEC09

Iran: notes with political slogans against the government will become worthless after January 8, 2010. ............................................................................................29DEC09

Paraguay: All 1,000 guaraníes notes will cease to be legal tender in December of 2010, and may be redeemed afterwards for 3 years at the Central Bank counters.
.......................................................................................................................22DEC09

The Bahamas: A new $100 note is due to be issued very soon. It has many anti counterfeiting devices. (click here for more details) ......................................21DEC09

Viet Nam: The State Bank of Vietnam denied rumors that a 1 million note was being planned. ........................................................................................................18DEC09

Scotland: Clydesdale Bank issued today its 100 pounds note of the new series.
.......................................................................................................................18DEC09

Israel: The Bank of Israel will issue in 2012 a new series of polymer notes honoring Theodor Herzl, David Ben Gurion, Mehachemk Begin and Yitzchak Rabin.
.......................................................................................................................18DEC09

Gulf States: It seems that the Gulf dinar will be originally valued at 10 Saudi riyals, and will co-circulate along with the currencies of the four states that will adopt it: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Oman has opted out.
.......................................................................................................................18DEC09

Ukraine: It is withdrawing all notes issued before 2003, which will cease to be legal tender after New Year. However these may be redeemed afterwards.
.......................................................................................................................18DEC09

Falkland/Malvinas: All older notes are no longer exchangeable, including new style 1 pound notes. ..................................................................................................18DEC09

Italy: Banca d'Italia has changed the redemption procedures for lire banknotes. Additional details to follow. ...........................................................................17DEC09

Czeck Republic: An improved 5,000 korun note was released on December 1st.
(For more details click here) .........................................................................14DEC09

Trinidad and Tobago: A 100 dollars note was released recently to commemorate the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on November.
(For more details click here) ..........................................................................14DEC09

Jersey: A new series of notes will be released in February 2010. .................14DEC09

Nicaragua: A 50 córdobas paper note was recently released.
(For more details go to BCN) ........................................................................14DEC09

Russia: An improved 1,000 rubles note is being planned for release in late 2010. ........................................................................................................................14DEC09

Afghanistan: It appears that the previously announced improved banknotes were placed in circulation since last week. ..............................................................30NOV09

Nicaragua: In 2010 the Central Bank may release two different notes of 50 córdobas, one of them commemorative of the 50th Anniversary of its creation. If that is the case, we may have both paper and polymer notes.................................................. 30NOV09

North Korea: In a surprise move, the North Korean central bank has revalued and replaced its national currency as of today, according to several sources. The exchange rate for the new currency is 100:1, so old 1,000 won bills are being exchanged for new ten won bills. (Courtesy Daily NK).................................................................30NOV09

Paraguay: New polymer notes of 2,000 guaraníes will be released on December 11. (Courtesy Miguel Pratt.).................................................................................30NOV09

Cape Verde: All horizontal style notes are out of circulation, and redeemable until 2016 through 2019 depending on denomination.
(Courtesy Banco de Cabo Verde.)..................................................................29NOV09

Zimbabwe: There are rumors that a plane had landed in Harare carrying tons of new banknotes. Gideon Gono, head of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, declared that there are no intentions to restore the Zimbabwean currency.
(Courtesy Eye Witness News, South Africa.).................................................. 29NOV09

Nigeria: A proposed amendment to the Constitution will ban the use of portraits of living or dead persons on coins and banknotes.
(Courtesy Allafrica.com.)............................................................................... 22NOV09

Cook Islands: The only notes in circulation are the 3 dollar ones. All other have lost all value and cannot be redeemed.
(Courtesy Ministry of Finance & Economic Management, Cook Islands.).....29OCT09

Guatemala: The Banco de Guatemala will issue very soon a new 100 quetzales note, dated 12 MARCH 2008 which differs from the previous one because instead of a holographic band it has a circle printed on Optical Variable Ink. The bank is waiting to exhaust the stock of current notes before releasing the new one, which may take less than two weeks.
As for the 200 quetzales notes, the best estimate is that they will be released in early 2010. The denominations of 500 and 1,000 quetzales are still years away.
(Courtesy Banco de Guatemala.) .................................................................. 29OCT09

Korea PDR: The Central Bank of the People’ s Democratic Republic of Korea has recently issued a modified 1,000 won note dated 2006. While the note is similar to the 2002 version, the banner beneath the denomination on the bottom right and left front does not extend to the note’s edge.
(Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson/Banknote News-Owen Linzmayer.).......... 02NOV09

Yemen: The Central Bank of Yemen announces a new 250 rials note dated 2009, to be put into circulation November 14.
(More details available at Central Bank of Yemen) ...................................... 02NOV09

Cook Islands: The only notes in circulation are the 3 dollar ones. All other have lost all value and cannot be redeemed. (Courtesy Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, Cook Islands.) ......................................................................... 29OCT09

Guatemala: The Banco de Guatemala will issue very soon a new 100 quetzales note, dated 12 MARCH 2008 which differs from the previous one because instead of a holographic band it has a circle printed on Optical Variable Ink. The bank is waiting to exhaust the stock of current notes before releasing the new one, which may take less than two weeks.
As for the 200 quetzales notes, the best estimate is that they will be released in early 2010. The denominations of 500 and 1,000 quetzales are still years away.
(Courtesy Banco de Guatemala.) .................................................................. 29OCT09

Macao: The Banco Nacional Ultramarino issued a new 50 patacas dated 8 August 2009 to complete its current family of notes. It shows the Ponte de Salvan on the front and the Bank’s building on the back.
(Courtesy Banco Nacional Ultramarino.) ..................................................... 28OCT09

Uganda: Travelers to Uganda who intend to exchange United States dollars are advised to bring 100 dollar bills dated 2003 or later. Smaller notes or 100 dollar bills dated before 2003 are heavily discounted. .................................................... 26OCT09

Uruguay: The Central Bank informed in September that forgeries of 500 pesos notes appeared in the market. The vertical serial number reacts properly to the UV light, but the forgeries have a printed image instead of the real watermark, and the printing seems to be made of little dots instead of clear lines (four color as opposed to engraved intaglio printing.) More details are available at the bank's website www.bcu.gub.uy
....................................................................................................................... 22OCT09

Vanuatu: The Melanesian Institute of Science, Philosophy, Humanity and Technology of North East Pentecost asked the Central Bank in 2008 to pay them VUV 10 billion = approx. USD 100 million, to monetize the "Livatu" (boar tusks) and "Selmane" (sea shells) still used as custom currency by local people. The Central Bank decided in September 2009 to refuse the request. More details can be found at www.rbv.gov.vu ....................................................................................................................... 22OCT09

Philippines: There is intense debate about the announced intention of the Central Bank to print new notes on polymer. Currently Philippine notes are printed on a substrate made of 80% cotton and 20% abaca. Abaca is a banana plant, from its leaves Manila hemp, Manila paper (the one used for Manila envelopes, and other paper products are made. Therefore it is of great economic importance to local producers to have the Central Bank continuing its use for banknote paper. However, the Central Bank announced that it plans to use polymer for its new notes in 2010................... 22OCT09

Sweden: In an informal chat with Swedish citizens Stefan Ingves, governor of the Sveriges Riksbank, said that the issue of a new series of notes is being studied, given that the current ones have been in circulation for some time, "and need to be modernised.".................................................................................................. 22OCT09

Paraguay: In 2011 Paraguay will redenominate its currency by eliminating three zeros. The redenominated note will be issued in conjuction with the Commemoration of the Independence Bicentennial.
(Courtesy of Martin Von Schocher, Banco Central del Paraguay)................ 21OCT09

Scotland: The first of Clydesdale Bank’s new world heritage bank notes will enter circulation today (Monday 19 October). New £20 notes will be available at Clydesdale Bank retail branches and the majority of ATMs across the country from 10am. The £20 note features iconic images of the historic mill house New Lanark on one side and Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, on the other. The remainder of the new banknote family will enter circulation on a phased basis. Following the £20 note, the new £50 note will be launched on 2 November; the £5 note on 16 November; the £10 note on 30 November; and finally the £100 note on 15 December.
(Courtesy of Clydesdale Bank) .................................................................. 19OCT2009

Tanzania: The Central Bank announced that it will issue new notes in June 2010. It will retain the current denominations, with the 1,000 shillings note being printed by De la Rue, and the other denominations from 500 to 10,000 shillings by Crane Currency AB from Sweden. Both the current and new notes will co-circulate.
(Courtesy Daily News, Dar es Salam) .......................................................... 16OCT09

Greenland: Greenland will continue to use the Danish krone as its currency after the ruling government declined to adopt the National Bank’s new printed notes. In a scheme similar to that of the Faroes, local banknotes were to be issued. These would be at par and could be exchanged for Danish kroner at the Danmarks Nationalbank. However the political party now in power seem to be against the idea.
(Courtesy Ice News.) ..................................................................................... 13OCT09

Afghanistan: Da Afghanistan Bank has issued improved notes this week. These notes are similar to the previous ones, but are improved to make them more durable. The holographic band in the 500 and 1000 afghanis notes has been moved from the right to the center. ...................................................................................................... 09OCT09

Morocco: The Bank al Maghrib is issuing in mid-October a 50 dirhams banknote to commemorate its 50th anniversary. ............................................................... 08OCT09

Honduras: A proposed law plans to order the Central Bank to replace the notes of 1; 2 and 5 lempiras with coins and to issue a 1,000 lempiras note honoring ex-President Ramón Villeda Morales. ................................................................................ 08OCT09

Argentina: A new series of notes is being planned to be issued in conjunction with the celebration of the Bicentennial of the First Junta which replaced the Spanish viceroy, on 25 May 1810. While artistic, literary, sports and scientific personalities were proposed to be honored on the new notes, it seems that national heroes will be pictured instead. .......................................................................................................... 08OCT09

Hong Kong: The Standard Chartered Bank today issued a note commemorative of its 150 years in Hong Kong. The note is of limited issue, and sold at a premium for charity purposes. ....................................................................................................... 04OCT09

Myanmar: The Central Bank of Myanmar has issued on Oct. 2 a new banknote of 5,000 kyats. ....................................................................................................03OCT09

Nigeria: The Central Bank of Nigeria issued on October 1 polymer notes of 5; 10 and 50 naira. These will co-circulate with the paper ones previously issued......... 01OCT09

Chile: The Central Bank of Chile today issued the 5,000 pesos polymer notes. ......................................................................................................................... 25SEP09

Jamaica: The Bank of Jamaica released today its new 5,000 dollars note. It is the first time such denomination is issued. ................................................................... 25SEP09

Mexico: The Banco de Mexico today issued notes of 100 and 200 pesos to commemorate the Independence Bicentennial and the Mexican Revolution Centennial. ......................................................................................................................... 23SEP09

Iraq: It is being rumored that in addition to the text in Arabic and English, newer Iraqi notes will have text in Kurdish. ...................................................................... 18SEP09