Coins
Iceland prepares to phase out smallest banknote
Central Bank of Iceland hints at replacing the 500 krónur banknote with a coin, and scrapping the three lowest value coins altogether; introduced new 10,000 krónur note last year
Armenia pips Kazakhstan to coin award
Central Bank of Armenia commemorative coin triumphs over National Bank of Kazakhstan offering in an Italian competition for Best Coin of the Year
National Bank of Belgium weighs reduction in one and two cent coins
Belgian central bank considers merits of allowing traders to round cash and electronic payments to the nearest five cents in a bid to render one and two cent coins ‘unnecessary’
Dutch study uses neuroscience to dissect consumers’ payment choices
The Netherlands Bank uses an MRI scanner to examine what is going on in consumers’ minds as they choose whether to pay by cash or card
UK's Royal Mint brings back golden guinea to mark 350th anniversary
New £2 coin designed in the style of the now disused guinea, featuring the crest of King George III; coin will enter circulation later this year
Irish central bank puts 'embarrassing' error on new Joyce coin
Erroneous quote from James Joyce novel could make the collectors' coin even more valuable
Angola launches new notes and coins, cuts base rate
Notes incorporating new security features to be phased in during the first half of 2013; base rate cut to 10% as inflation hits ‘record low' of 9% per annum
Krugman adds lustre to $1 trillion coin plan
Proposal to mint a $1 trillion coin to avoid 'fiscal cliff' in US wins Krugman backing and Republican opposition
Kenyan coin shortage is a public misperception, says central bank
Central Bank of Kenya says “perceived shortage” can be eradicated if members of the public raid their piggy banks
Kenyan coin shortage denied by central bank
Central Bank of Kenya insists there are sufficient coins in circulation; urges public to accept coins ‘without reservation’
Albania opens new currency centre
Bank of Albania has opened a new currency issue centre and mint as part of a wide-ranging property overhaul at the central bank
Zambia unveils new currency features
The Bank of Zambia reveals images and security features of new, rebased, currency; now comprises six banknotes and four coins
Norway releases coin to mark anniversary of suffrage
Norges Bank issues special edition coin on 100th anniversary of introduction of voting rights for women; competition winner designed reverse of coin
Central Bank of Nigeria stays firm over currency changes
List of frequently asked questions makes it clear overhaul plans are here to stay; central bank fails to offer direct response to criticism from government
Bank of Lithuania launches new cash management service
Cash Service opens for business in centralised location; new body aimed at reducing cost of ensuring good quality currency is in circulation in the country at all times
Shake-up of Nigerian currency announced
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi outlines plans for “restructuring” of currency; changes include introduction of new 5,000 naira banknote and improved security features on existing notes
Oman and Bahrain central banks outline plans for Eid
Preparations underway for banking sector shutdown and cash demand surge during religious celebrations; both Central Bank of Bahrain and Central Bank of Oman will shut
Central Bank of Brazil celebrates Olympics handover with new coins
Two commemorative coins released this month in honour of the arrival of the Olympic flag in Brazil; images symbolising London and Rio de Janeiro feature in the designs
Ireland releases coins in memory of former finance minister
Central Bank of Ireland issues two coins commemorating 90th anniversary of Michael Collins’ death; chief operations officer speaks of 'overwhelming' interest in the collector items
Central Bank of Barbados launches charity coin collection
Public encouraged to hand in one cent coin collections; all proceeds will be donated to the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association to go towards building a day care centre
Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina reports drop in counterfeits
Figures show 76% drop in counterfeits recovered in Bosnia and Herzegovina; new banknotes with improved security features hailed for large reduction in fake currency seized compared to last year
Bank Indonesia prepares payment systems for Eid
Indonesian central bank mounts campaign to get enough cash into the system prior to Eid celebrations; confident payment demands will be met
Singapore commemorates independence with heart-shaped coin
Monetary Authority of Singapore launches Singapore 47 Years of Independence commemorative coins; series includes the first-ever heart-shaped coin for the country
Democratic Republic of Congo fights dollarisation
Central Bank of the Democratic Republic of Congo releases new high-denomination banknotes; move signifies efforts to limit dollarisation in the country but also poses inflation risk