PR: Awards see banknotes cash in on technical advancements

New banknotes have been recognised for their outstanding design and security technical excellence with international awards.

The awards formed part of the High Security Printing EMEA Conference, which was organised by Reconnaissance International and held recently in Lisbon, Portugal. These recognise the highest levels of achievement in three categories: Best New Series, Best New Banknote, and Best New Commemorative Banknote.

The Central Bank of Armenia’s new Dram series won the accolade for the Best New Series, reflecting the country’s commitment to improve the quality of its currency in the face of one of the toughest environments in the world for circulating notes.

The series in denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 Drams is produced on a composite substrate that combines the durability of polymer with the printability and inclusion of paper to produce highly durable and secure banknotes. The design of the notes also reflects the historical, cultural and religious themes of Armenia, which is the first country in the world to have an entire banknote series printed on Louisenthal’s Hybrid ADDvance paper/polymer composite.

The Best New Banknote award went to the Bank of England for its new eye-catching £20 note featuring renowned English artist JMW Turner. Produced on De La Rue’s Safeguard polymer substrate alongside CCL’s Guardian substrate, the banknote incorporates several innovative features - it is the first Bank of England polymer banknote to have two windows.

The note has also been designed to withstand the rigours of the modern cash cycle and incorporates a special tactile feature to aid the visually impaired. Several overt and covert design features include a metallised 3D image of the coronation crown on the font with a purple foil patch based on the staircase at the Tate Britain on the reverse side.

The Best New Commemorative Banknote accolade went to the National Bank of Poland for its 19 Zloty, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Polish Security Printing Works being established. The banknote, which went into circulation in October 2019, stood out because the face value - 19 pln - is unusual while the combination of traditional design and modern security features also impressed.

It’s also among the first banknotes in Europe with a new holographic element located over a see-through window and the first with SICPA’s new colour SPARK Live combination – violet to bronze (which reflects the principal colours of the note).