Currency
News Analysis: Euro cash in demand
Nick Carver reports on the sharp rise in euro banknotes in circulation.
SARB to issue bi-metal R5 coin
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) launched a bi-metal R5 coin on 27 July. The new R5 coin will be in circulation from Monday, 2 August 2004. The coin has a bronze-coloured centre and a silver-coloured border.
Bundesbank warns of small coin shortage
in a press release of 8 June the Bundesbank said on there is a shortage of small-denomination coins in many euro-area countries. A particularly relevant factor seems to be that people are setting aside the small coins given them in change rather than…
Dutch and Belgians plan to scrap small change
The Netherlands and Belgium have indicated that they will soon scrap the one and two cent euro coins, EUobserver reports.
Bulgarian national bank issues golden coin
The National Bank of Bulgaria is to issue a commemorative golden coin "The Blessing Virgin Mary" on Monday 1 December, according to the Sofia Morning News. 20,000 of the coins will be issued with nominal value BGN 20.
Irish go back to 'hoarding' coins: central bank
Speaking at the issue of 40,000 commemorative coin sets, the central bank of Ireland's head of currency Hugh O'Donnell said Irish people have reverted to their old habits of 'hoarding' coins.
Fake euro coins hit Belgium
The National Bank of Belgium has found its first fake euro coins, according to Expatica News. The coins were discovered when a batch was returned to the central bank as stock. The fake one and two euros were described by the Treasury as of very high…
Euro-zone central banks and their euro windfalls
The Financial Times was quick to pick up on CentralBankNet's Monday special report on euro zone central bank's windfall profits from legacy currencies still in circulation and presumed lost down the back of Europe's sofas.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Reserve Bank coinage warning - The Reserve Bank today advised the public that some older 20 cent coins are temporarily causing confusion among some shoppers, 16 January.
Central Bank of Ireland Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Central Bank to exchange Irish notes and coins indefinitely, 30 December.
Central bank to exchange Irish money indefinitely
The central bank of Ireland has said that it will continue to exchange Irish banknotes and coins into euros over the coming years.
German coins make their mark in the eurozone
GERMANY - Though recent surveys suggest many Germans want their old marks back, it looks like German minted euro coins are poised to flood across borders. Because a third of all euro coins are produced with German national images on the reverse some…
Sterling coins may contain more nickel than euros
UK - Britain in Europe (BiE), a lobby group who campaign for UK entry to the euro, have come up with the perfect riposte to euro sceptics who complain that the euro coins contain high levels of nickel which can cause skin irritation. A Europhile lobby…
The euro goes East
Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa reports the results of a survey by the ECB on the private holdings and use of the euro outside the euro area itself.
UK Treasury cool on Gibraltar making a mint
UK - While Gordon Brown expounds his policy on the euro, efforts by Gibraltar to set up a lucrative sideline in minting the coins have run into resistance from the UK chancellor, Gordon Brown.
Central Bank of Russia offers more zodiac coins
RUSSIA - The Central Bank of Russia will issue more coins of the Zodiac series, starting tomorrow. It will be Scorpio now-silver two-rouble pieces and gold 25 roubles. Up to 20,000 silver coins will appear in circulation, and up to 50,000 gold, said the…
Report claims the euro may cause skin allergy
SWITZERLAND - Euro coins give some people a skin rash and a group of Swiss scientists have just released their research findings as to why this happens.