Coins
Euro makes rapid progress in Cyprus and Malta
Euro banknotes already account for 50% of the total in circulation in both Malta and Cyprus, the two Mediterranean islands that adopted the single currency on Tuesday.
Sales remain within Gold Agreement Limit
Gold sales by the 16 signatories to the Central Bank Gold Agreement between 27 September 2006 and 26 September 2007 amounted to 475.75 tonnes, 24.25 tonnes shy of the 500 limit, the Bank for International Settlements said on Wednesday.
Venezuela set to publicise new currency
The Venezuelan Central Bank will launch a nationwide campaign to familiarise consumers with its new notes and coins, which will come into circulation at the start of next year.
Slovenia 'well prepared' for euro
Slovenia has entered the final phase of preparations for the launch of the euro on New Year's Day, and is ready for the switchover, a central bank official said Thursday 14 December.
RBNZ runs out of coins in Xmas lead up
Just five weeks after phasing out the old coins, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand has now written to the country's retail banks warning them there will be a shortage of the new 20 cent pieces in the lead up to the busy Christmas period.
Counterfeiters finally crack the Euro note
According to this article published on The New Zealand Herald's website on Wednesday 2 August, the amount of counterfeit currency discovered in the 12 euroland countries is now running at 600,000 notes a year - roughly the same as before the single…
New Zealand's new coins go into circulation
Smaller, lighter 50, 20, and 10 cent coins were released Monday 31 July in New Zealand. The new coins retain the same "heads" and "tails" designs but the 10 cent coin is copper-coloured, the RBNZ said.
RBNZ countdown to smaller lighter coins
On 31 July the current 50, 20, and 10 cent coins will be replaced with smaller and lighter coins, and the 5 cent coin will begin to be phased out, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand said on Monday 10 July.
RBNZ releases Explaining Currency booklet
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand on Monday 3 July released a third edition of its popular Explaining Currency booklet. The booklet takes readers through the history of New Zealand's currency, describes the banknote and coin designs, and how banknotes and…
New Zealand's new coins introduced on 31 July
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced on Monday 20 February that New Zealand's new 50, 20 and 10 cent coins will be introduced on 31 July 2006.
Changes to New Zealand's `silver' coins?
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced on 11 November details of proposals to modernise New Zealand's `silver' coloured coins. The Reserve Bank emphasised that no decisions have been made, and is now seeking feedback from the public.
Riksbank issues coins to mark Palace anniversary
The Sveriges Riksbank is issuing two commemorative coins on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Royal Palace in Stockholm; a 200-krona coin in silver and a 2,000-krona coin in gold.
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…
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…
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.