Researchers from the UK’s National Health Service have identified a possible unexpected benefit of the rise in contactless payments: fewer children are turning up at hospitals after swallowing coins or sticking them up their noses.

Despite the rapid rise in digital payment systems and methods, cash still remains as an important and necessary payment option. This is seen clearly in the latest payment surveys conducted by both the ECB and Monnaie de Paris.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its circulation figures for 2023-24, documenting in its annual report that both the total value and volume of coins in circulation increased during the year – by 10.4% and 3.5% respectively.

In announcing the publication of its annual report, the Perth Mint stated that the 2023-24 financial year was a challenging one for the organisation.

Titled ‘Change’, the Royal Australian Mint’s 2023 annual report is aptly named for an organisation, and industry, that experienced multiple significant changes over the course of last year.

The fourth edition of the Directory of Circulating Coins has now been published. With nearly 200 pages, the Directory is the only guide to every current circulating coin in the world, providing up-to-date information, specification and images on every coin in one concise and easy-to-use volume.

The Royal Mint has published its latest annual report for the year ended 31 March 2024, noting total revenue of £1.4 billion – a 28% reduction from the previous year. In its report, the Mint noted that it had experienced challenges during the year, but it also emphasised the continuation of its five-year diversification strategy.

Many central banks continue to issue their annual reports for 2023 as the year progresses – including the Central Bank of Ireland (Banc Ceannais na hÉireann) and Reserve Bank of India.

The next edition of the Directory of Circulating Coins is currently being compiled, and is scheduled for publication this Autumn. First developed by the publishers of Currency News in 2014, the upcoming issue will be the fourth edition published.

The tagline for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Annual Report 2023 – ‘Anchoring Stability and Sustainable Growth amid Challenging Times’ – takes note of the inflationary challenges and other pressures that the Philippines faced last year.