New Issues: What’s New in Bank Notes – October 2026
New bank notes from Canada, Czechia, and São Tomé and Príncipe celebrate royalty, national milestones, and history with innovative designs and security features.
Canada
A new portrait featuring King Charles III is now on a Bank of Canada vertical $20 note. Entering circulation in late February 2027, this is the first time the King’s portrait is on a Canadian note, and it is the first new monarch in over 70 years. Inspired by the King’s environmental activism, a floral and leaf tapestry sits below his portrait on the face, as florals from Canadian provinces and territories decorate the background. The back of the note displays the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France to connect Canada’s contribution to past military events. On both sides of the note is a decorative inset showing plants from and used by Indigenous Canadian communities.
Czechia
Since 1916, the Czech National Bank, formerly known as the National Bank of Czechoslovakia, has been in operation. To honor this centennial anniversary, the Bank has released a circulating commemorative 5,000 koruna note. Shown on the new issue is a “100 let NBČ” (100 Years of the NBC) logo designed by Jan Solpera. It is presented via a special holographic foil print with nano-effects that, for the first time, is featured on a Czech circulating note. Also included is a QR code that directs to the Bank’s website and a portrait of the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk.
São Tomé and Príncipe
The Central Bank of São Tomé and Príncipe has released a new commemorative 50 dobras note in collaboration with Royal Joh. Enschedé to celebrate São Tomé and Príncipe’s 50th anniversary of independence. The new note combines art and technology to tell about the nation’s history, environment, and culture. Among the improved security features are a transparent window and a nine-color offset process. Also, for the first time at Royal Joh. Enschedé, numbers have been applied digitally instead of printing plates, which improves identification and anti-counterfeiting.
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