2017 Winners

Best New Banknote/Series

SWISS NATIONAL BANK for-The new 50 Swiss Franc

The note is the first of the new 9th Swiss series to go into circulation. The National Bank has revolutionized the design concept of its banknotes, moving away from traditional portraits to depicting typical characteristics of the country.

The way that this theme is woven into all aspects of the note is unparalleled.

The 50-franc note is the first of the 9th Series of Swiss Franc to enter circulation. The theme for the entire series is ‘The many facets of Switzerland’.

In keeping with the Swiss National Bank’s tradition of excellence and uncompromising security standards, the note features many security features incorporated into an innovative substrate – Durasafe,

Durasafe was conceived specifically for this family of notes.

DuraSafe(R) substrate, with transparent areas, Volume(R) hologram and a first Spark(R) Feature with a curved rolling bar, combined into an elegant and modern design with strong level 2 features and an outstanding printing quality, especially in intaglio.

From a design standpoint, the note breaks with tradition by removing the portrait as the main feature of the note, and replacing it, in this case, with a hand, gently holding a dandelion head that is blown by the wind, the key theme of this note.

The new 50 Franc, was released on 12th April 2016. A ground-breaking security feature, namely a highly sophisticated bi-color KINEGRAM VOLUME® foil stripe combined with a partially metallised KINEGRAM®, and its uncompromising dedication to technical excellence characterise the Swiss National Bank’s approach to the introduction of this series and the first note.

The note is printed on Durasafe® substrate, combining the advantages of polymer and paper in an innovative and unprecedented way. Work on the new series took several years, but was always fully supported by the SNB with its clear focus on the most advanced technology and its very high quality expectations. Even when production of the 50 Franc banknote was underway, the investment of major efforts into permanent optimisation of the production processes was continued, so as to achieve the best possible outcome in anti-counterfeiting security and optical appearance. The banknote is arguably the most technically advanced and most counterfeit-proof banknote in the world at present.

DuraSafe(R) substate, with transparent areas, Volume(R) hologram and a first Spark(R) Feature with a curved rolling bar, combined into an elegant and modern design with strong level 2 features and an outstanding printing quality, especially in intaglio.

A unique combination of innovations coming from the substrate, the security features and the printing process, unified into a modern and inspiring design.

Best New Commemorative or Limited Circulation Banknote

National Bank of Poland 20 Zloty

This commemorative banknote was put into circulation on April 12, 2016 to celebrate the 1050th Anniversary of the Baptism in Poland. The banknote depicts the portraits of Prince Mieszko I and his Bohemian wife Dobrawa and the image of Gniezno Cathedral.

The commemorative banknote with the face value of 20 zł was put into circulation on April 12, 2016 to celebrate the 1050th Anniversary of the Baptism in Poland. The banknote depicts the portraits of Prince Mieszko I and his Bohemian wife Dobrawa and the image of Gniezno Cathedral.

The symbolism presented on the banknote is reminiscent of the time of Poland’s baptism – a ground-breaking event in the history of Poland. It reminds not only of its theological dimension, but also of its political, social and cultural consequences. At that moment, Poland was introduced to a new world, embodied in the new culture, new institution, structures and legal provisions.

The banknote represents high aesthetic value and contains modern security features, some of them used for the first time in the issued banknotes:

  • Optically variable image in the form of transparent hologram, the combination of DID ™ Wave I DID™ Virtual;
  • Window security thread of advanced construction (Active®) which gives the strong and hard to imitate colour changing effect;
  • Special intaglio raster;
  • SPARK Live® feature implemented first time in Polish Banknote;
  • Two intaglio portraits on the same side of the note.
  • Cotton-based substrate, double side intaglio, featuring a holographic patch on the front and micro-lenticular security thread and magnetically oriented colour-shifting ink with personalized design on the back.

The commemorative zloty note incorporates latest technologies in colour-shifting inks, holograms and threads.

Best Banknote Processing Innovation

Innovia Security: for Guardian® Global Recycling Program

In June 2015, Innovia officially launched its global initiative towards recycling polymer banknotes at the end of their useful life. This initiative aims to leverage on all the previous experiences and know-how that PolyTeQ – Innovia’s technical services team – has accumulated over the years of advising central banks worldwide regarding the destruction and disposal of their polymer banknotes.

Launched as the Guardian® Global Recycling Program, this initiative is bringing forward further innovation in the areas of banknote destruction and disposal – areas which are often overlooked in banknote processing.

The Guardian® Global Recycling Program addresses these issues by establishing a network of regional recycling facilities in major geographical regions around the world. These are large recycling companies that have the capability to source and ship polymer waste material from other countries for recycling at their base of operations. Thus, for any central bank or banknote printer there are now two options:

  • If a suitable recycler can be identified within the country, and the volumes are suitable, it will be possible to establish recycling locally.
  • If there is no suitable recycler within the country, or the volumes are too small, an offshore recycling process is put in place.

PolyTeQ Services, Innovia Security’s technical services division, provides support to the central bank and/or banknote printer to identify suitable recyclers locally or regionally, to facilitate the recycling process.

Best Communications Program

Bank of Canada: for Is she #bankNOTEable?

On August 3, 2016, the Bank of Canada launched a public consultation to select a Canadian woman who would appear on a bank note in 2018: the bankNOTE-able campaign. The 6-week campaign would prove to be the Bank’s most comprehensive and successful public engagement campaign, receiving positive attention across Canada and worldwide.

This campaign connected the Bank to tens of thousands of people across Canada and around the world through numerous process and communications innovations:

Ground-breaking:

  • First time a non-royal woman will be featured on a Canadian bank note
  • A new process that allowed Canadians to suggest portrait subjects that would later be found on the short list given to the Minister of Finance
  • An Advisory Council of Canadians who made decisions independent from the Bank

Innovative:

  • First ever hashtag #banknoteable/#surunbillet, was used about 16K times; close to 99K tweets, including from the Prime Minister; the topic trended on Twitter; 95% of tweets were positive/neutral;
  • 284K bank NOTE-able webpage views;
  • Frequent updates via the Bank website, including weekly updates as nominations were received, the posting of long and short list biographies, and a designated page on Ms. Desmond
  • Created consultation that reflected population distribution across Canada, to ensure pan-Canadian participation in the call for nominations
  • No print products created an effective and economical campaign

Positive response from the public:

  • 26,300 submissions
  • Positive national and global media coverage, e.g. Globe and Mail, CTV News, Wall Street Journal, London Free Press, Fox News World
  • Triggered a national conversation about women in Canadian history – and the importance of recognizing those women.
  • The Abacus Report “Reaction to Events” showed that the selection of Ms. Desmond for the bank note made 37% of those polled feel better about Government

For the first time since 1935 a non-Royal, non-political figure will grace the front of Canada’s currency. Canadians had a say and, thanks to the Bank of Canada’s open and transparent process, their 2018 bank note will be more than just a piece of polymer: It will be a piece of art that the country built together.

European Central Bank

Direct Marketing Operation for the new €20 – The “direct marketing operation” consisted of a large-scale mailing targeting 3 million professional cash handlers in 16 languages across 19-euro area countries.

The ECB Partnership Programme for the new €50 –The Partnership Programme ensures smooth cooperation through tailor-made information material, hands-on support and a dedicated contact person at the ECB

 The Euro Run Initiative – The Euro Run initiative promotes knowledge about the euro and its security features amongst school children by providing a range of educational material for teachers and pupils.

The New €50 Banknote Film – The new 50-euro banknote film aims to raise awareness about the new banknote, its security features and how to easily check them. It highlights an overarching message that Europeans are stronger together with the euro.

The new 50 euro banknote film aims to raise awareness about the new banknote, its security features and how to easily check them. It highlights an overarching message that Europeans are stronger together with the euro.

A unique initiative: Combining European messages into banknote communication is a unique way of connecting with the public. The ECB chose this approach because the euro is a tangible and powerful symbol of European integration and Europeans associate with it using it in their daily lives. The natural association captures and maintains the viewer’s attention and means they are then more receptive to learning about the security features, being informed about the issuance date of the new banknote, and creating a positive link to the currency. Communicating audio-visually on both the security features of the new €50 banknote and its role in bringing Europeans together, the film goes beyond simply informing the public – it connects them emotionally.

Effective communication via appropriate deliverables: Tracker research shows that a viewer’s attention is sustained longer when an audio-visual medium is used, especially in a digital interface. The ECB also chose to use a film because it is attractive to all ages but reaches out specifically to younger audiences, the future of Europe. Using the film format allows us to cross borders geographically and demographically. It also allows us to communicate via screens across the continent and abroad whether they are on a computer, on a television, or in a commercial area – it maximizes our audience and our mediums.

Outreach to key stakeholders: As a European institution, the ECB wants to communicate to all Europeans. The success of this outreach initiative is also measured by how broadly it spreads the message. The viewer is able to watch the film in their own language, meaning they are more receptive to the messages. The film is also shared with the national central banks of the European Union, allowing them to help better target national audiences. Because trackers show that social media use is on the rise throughout Europe, specifically among younger audiences, the ECB chose YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook as principle outlets for the films. Available in all euro area languages, via social media, and for download, the film’s digital audience is unlimited – it targets the public across Europe.

Clear feedback from stakeholders: It is very important for the ECB to track its outreach success when communicating about euro cash and when using films as mediums. Using a baseline survey from 2011, the ECB has conducted subsequent tracker research at the occasion of every unveiling or issuance of a banknote. The trackers show that viewing a film is positively correlated to the ECB’s communication campaign’s goals. The film’s tested format shows a positive effect on both knowledge of banknote security features and reaction to European messages, which are monitored and will continue to be monitored both quantitatively and qualitatively by the ECB – its success is proven and tracked.

Best House Note:

LOUISENTHAL- WATER NOTE

The RollingStar® LEAD foil and RollingStar® Registered thread open a new dimension for foil elements and security threads, both utilizing the proven micro-mirror technology.  RollingStar® LEAD provides more space for design and colour. With its striking, animated stripe, its focus is on optimal design freedom for strong visual appeal and easy authentication, and 3D depth effect. The ColourShift variation is enhanced by full colour spectrum foil dynamic movements (running effect, rotating effect and diffuse pumping) in the individual design elements. It offers excellent visibility even under poor light conditions.

The RollingStar® Registered thread supports the integration of communicating features, in consistently uniform layout, which assists in fast and reliable authentication. The RollingBar moves in harmony with ocean waves when tilted. The versatility of the applied micro-mirror and colourshift technology enables perfect integration of dynamics and colour to the overall design theme.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Nopporn Pramojaney

Dr. Nopporn Pramojaney began work as a chemist at the Bank of Thailand Note Printing Works in 1982.   Over the years, his career progressed through the positions of:  Division Executive, Quality Research and Management Division, Director and Senior Director, Note Printing Works, and finally Assistant Governor, Banknote Management Group, before he retired from the Bank in 2013.

During his career, Dr. Nopporn was involved in five series of Thai banknotes, from Series 12 through to Series 16.  His most significant achievements include leadership of the development of the state-of-the-art Note Printing Works in Nakhom Pathan, which also involved relocating the old printing works from the Bank’s premises in the centre of Bangkok.

Dr. Nopporn’s leadership went beyond the normal challenge of production and issue of banknotes, as demonstrated during the 2011 floods in Bangkok, when the Bank was able to maintain the printing and supply of cash to the Thai economy, despite many staff being unable to get to work and despite unprecedented demand caused by the floods.