World Banknotes News

The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) put into circulation a new series of redesigned XAF (franc) banknotes on 15 December 2022, to celebrate the bank’s 50th anniversary. The new notes will circulate in the Central African States of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. Five denominations of the banknotes 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 & 10,000 are issued. All five denominations of the franc banknotes (XAF 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000) have been redesigned and upgraded.  For the first time, the notes will represent all four official languages spoken in the BEAC region: French and Arabic (on the front sides), English and Spanish (on the reverse sides).  The 2002 series of BEAC banknotes will be gradually withdrawn from circulation as they are returned to BEAC counters starting January 2024. Until then, they will continue to be valid legal tender.

The Bank of England recently issued a press release unveiling the new portrait of King Charles III. This transition marks an unprecedented shift from one monarch to the next. Queen Elizabeth II was the first monarch to be featured on Bank of England notes, starting with the £10 and £1 notes in 1960. The introduction of King Charles III on the banknotes signifies a historic change in the visual representation of the British monarchy on the country's currency. As you can see that the King is wearing the Order of the Garter robes. The overall designs and the historical characters will remain the same on each of denominations, except the Monarch’s portrait, the clear window portrait, and his royal monogram (CIIIR). With a few adjustments around his portrait that differ slightly from the current designs, the new banknotes featuring King Charles III are expected to be in circulation by mid-2024. All polymer banknotes with a portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender, and ...

Bangladesh Bank is set to release a 50 Taka commemorative note in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution and the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to unveil the commemorative Tk50 banknotes during a discussion program organized by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on December 18, 2022, as stated in the press release. According to officials from the Bangladesh Bank, the new commemorative notes will be made available at the Bangladesh Bank's Motijheel office starting from December 19, 2022, and will subsequently be distributed to other branch offices. The banknote features the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the obverse side, with a photograph of Jatiya Sangshad Bhaban in the background, while the logo of the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution and the Supreme Court of Bangladesh is positioned on the right side.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen made a historic announcement as she revealed the new $1 and $5 bills, which bear the signatures of two women for the first time in American history. Yellen’s signature will appear alongside that of National Treasurer Lynn Malerba, the first Native American to hold this position. Both officials signed sheets of bills in denominations of $1 and $5, marking a historic moment. The new banknotes are set to be delivered to the Federal Reserve this month and will enter circulation next year. The Fort Worth facility, one of two in the United States, is responsible for printing over 50% of US paper currency each year. The other facility, located in Washington, will commence printing the new bills in January or February, according to a senior Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) official. "We’ve made progress in providing greater economic opportunity for women at Treasury and in the economics profession. But we know that much more needs to be done," Ye...

Peruvian banknotes and coins serve as compelling repositories of history, capturing the essence of the nation's rich heritage. Each denomination bears witness to the narrative of Peru through the inclusion of portraits of distinguished Peruvian figures, iconic historical sites and buildings, as well as depictions of the diverse flora and fauna that characterize the country. In this way, the currency becomes a tangible reflection of Peru's cultural and natural legacy, offering a visual journey through time and showcasing the nation's identity on a global stage. Earlier this year, the Central Reserve Bank of Peru introduced newly designed 20 and 50 Soles banknotes. Building on this initiative, in the preceding year of 2021, the bank also unveiled updated 10 and 100 Soles banknotes. These notes showcase a fusion of ultra-modern designs, seamlessly integrating historical elements with contemporary, visually striking aesthetics. The innovative approach in the design captures a h...

Barbados to issue a new series of redesigned polymer banknotes into circulation on Dec 5, 2022 in the denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 Dollars.  The upcoming banknotes bear a striking resemblance to the current paper currency in circulation, maintaining a design continuity. However, a notable shift is introduced with a new vertical orientation, aligning with the popular trend in recent years. The color schemes remain consistent with the existing series, and the portraits continue to feature figures of significance. Specifically, the $2 note in blue showcases scientist and agronomist John Redman Bovell, while the green $5 note highlights senator and cricketer Frank Worrell. The $10 note in brown features physician and politician Charles Duncan O'Neal, and the purple $20 note portrays Samuel Jackman Prescod. Moving on, the orange $50 note pays tribute to Errol Barrow, the first prime minister of Barbados, and the grey $100 note features politician Sir Grantley Adams.  On t...