40 percent of circulating coins release nickel
New studies revealed that nearly 40 percent of the circulating coins in the world release nickel. But there are only three countries so far with nickel-free currencies. The UK has only recently issued new nickel-plated coins which have been shown to release even more nickel than the older ones.
Dr. Walter Schlebusch new CEO of Giesecke & Devrient
Dr. Walter Schlebusch has been appointed as Giesecke & Devrient’s new CEO and Chairman of the Management Board. Taking up this position on July 1, he will succeed Dr. Karsten Ottenberg, who will be leaving the company on June 30, 2013.
Loomis wins Riksbank contract for coin warehousing and handling
Loomis has been contracted by the Riksbank, Sweden’s central bank, to take responsibility for part of the Riksbank’s handling of coins in Sweden. The contract, which extends over four years, will commence on November 1.
Winners of the International Coin Design Competition 2012
Since 1998 Japan Mint has invited coin design from all over the world to the International Coin Design Competition, to encourage creativity and enhance the artistry of coin designs. In 2012 the winner of the Most Excellent Work comes from Ukraine.
Two new awards for excellence in currency
Two new awards will be presented during the Coin Conference in Berlin in October. The awards will celebrate excellence and innovation in coin design and coin production. Nominations close on July 26, 2013.
Anti-counterfeiting approach by biomimicry
Some news from our cutting-edge technology section: Canadian company NanoTech Security proposes a bio-mimicry approach to money production. Instead of using ink an electron beam patterns a master die creating a nano structure that evokes colours to the human eye.
Cooperation between the Royal Mint and the Thai Treasury Department
The Royal Mint has signed an agreement with the Treasury Department of Thailand to establish a regional coin training academy at The Royal Thai Mint.
Royal Canadian Mint opens plating facility expansion
The Royal Canadian Mint officially opened its plating facility expansion and the Hieu C. Truong Centre of Excellence for Research and Development. The 70,000 square expansion will enable the Mint to increase production of multi-ply plated steel blanks.
Go-ahead for Andritz Group to acquire majority in Schuler Group
Now also China’s anti-trust authorities have given the go-ahead for Austrian Andritz Group acquire a majority in the Schuler Group. Following this transaction, Andritz holds over 90 percent of the capital stock of Schuler AG.
Schuler remains on course
Schuler Group won the largest service contract in its history, worth 18 million euros. While new orders slightly declined in the first half of 2013 Ebitda increased by 5.2 percent confirming Schuler’s course.