Regional Banknote and ID Document of the Year Awards
One of the highlights of the High Security Printing™ conferences each year are the regional awards for the best banknotes and ID documents.
There are four categories within the Banknote of the Year awards, and three categories for the ID Document of the Year awards. The winners will be announced during the conference dinner.
The deadline for nominations is 31 January 2024.
Award Categories

Regional Banknote
The regional Banknote of the Year Award recognises outstanding achievement in the design, technical sophistication and security of a banknote or banknote series, the key judging criteria being that successful banknotes should combine visual artistry and high levels of technical and security sophistication, with considerable emphasis placed on reflecting the cultural heritage of the issuing country in the note, and the relevance of the overall design and symbolism to the issuing country.
There are four categories:
- Best New Banknote
- Best New Banknote Series
- Best New Commemorative Banknote
- Best New Housenote

Regional ID Document
The Regional ID Document of The Year awards – which recognise outstanding achievement and technical sophistication of a personal identification or travel document programme – are designed to promote the best in system infrastructure and implementation of a government passport, identity or other secure identification scheme.
There are three categories:
- Best New Passport
- Best New National ID Card
- Best New ID or Travel Document.
The award judges comprise the Board of Directors of Reconnaissance International, the conference organiser and publisher of Currency News and ID & Secure Document News.
Any new note (or series) or ID document (card, passport, licence) issued since the last HSP EMEA event will be considered. There is a cap for each regional award scheme of two nominations per organisation per category.
If you would like to make a nomination, please do so online by completing the form below and submitting the name of the banknote(s) or document(s) you would like to nominate, details and images, and why you think it should be a winner. A short video of the project would also be helpful.
Please use the form at the bottom of this page to submit your nomination.
2023 Winners
Click on the image for more information
Regional Banknote of the Year
2023 Best New Series
Liberia New Series
The winner of the best new series was the Central Bank of Liberia , which replaced its 2016 banknotes with a new series. This included updated designs and a new high denomination of L$1,000. The other notes in the series are the L$20, L$50, L$100, and L$500. In addition, the L$5 and L$10 denominations have been minted as coins.
Most of the updated designs are the same as the previous series, and retain the same portraits with stylised changes, featuring a change of image only on the L$500.
All five denominations were produced by Giesecke+Devrient over a two-year period, and strongly represent both the traditional and modern features of Liberia. The front of the L$1,000, for example, shows the 16 ethnic groups of Liberia, as symbol of the origin of the country and national unity, whiule the L$500 The L$500 has new image on the front of seven ladies who designed the Liberian flag, recognising the role of women in the formation of Liberia and national development.
Four of the denominations are secured with state-of-the-art RollingStar i+ threads. Each has a five-pointed star (representative of Liberia as the first independent republic on the African continent); and a dynamic pulsing effect when tilted. They also incorporate a different colour changing effect. The text ‘CBL’ and the denomination number can be seen as Cleartext when held up to the light. The RAPID thread from Crane Currency on the L$100 also incorporates the star.
Their introduction has been supported with a public education campaign and an app for the public to understand the security features of the note.
Best New Series

Liberia New Series
Central Bank of Liberia
2023 Best New Banknote
UAE 1,000 Dirham
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates won the Best New banknote award for the 1,000 dirham (AED) banknote. It follows the issue of new 5 and 10 dirham notes in 2022 and the new 50 dirham in late 2021, all of which are printed by Oumolat Security Printing, located in Abu Dhabi, on De La Rue’s SAFEGUARD® polymer.
The front of the new banknote depicts the image of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, next to a model of a space shuttle, denoting his passion for the UAE to becoming a pioneer in space exploration, an ambition that was realised in the Emirates Mars Mission ‘Hope Probe’ journey in 2021. The reverse of the note depicts the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.
The main security feature is a partially metallized KINEGRAM COLORS® foil stripe from KURZ depicting an astronaut. A separate window features a portrait of the Sheik. In ad
Best New Banknote

UAE 1,000 Dirham
Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates
2023 Best New Commemorative Banknote
Quatari 22 Riyal
The winner of the Best Commemorative Banknote was the Qatar Central Bank for the 22 riyal issued to mark the FIFA World Cup, which took place in the country from 18 November to 20 December. The unusual denomination was chosen to align with the 22nd football tournament taking place in 2022.
The note, which is printed on De La Rue’s SAFEGUARD®, is not only the first commemorative banknote to be issued in Qatar, but the first to be produced on polymer.
Images on the front of the note include the Qatar coat of arms, a skyline of modern and old buildings, and the Lusail Iconic Stadium. The reverse depicts Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, an Arab sailing ship (dhow) and Al Zubara Fort.
Also featured are the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 logo and the World Cup Trophy, which appear in transparent windows and can be seen from both sides of the notes.
Best New Commemorative Banknote

Quatari 22 Riyal
Qatar Central Bank
2023 Special Achievement Award
CBE – State-Of-The-Art Printworks
In addition to the banknote awards, a special achievement award was made to the Central Bank of Egypt in recognition of its new state-of-the-art printworks and cash centre, which has arisen from the Egyptian desert outside Cairo at an incredible pace and on a vast scale.
As the authority overseeing the country’s financial system and currency, the Central Bank of Egypt embraced the opportunity to relocate its headquarters and create a new large-scale currency hub in the New Administrative Capital, complete with printworks and a connected automated cash management centre.
The printworks is currently capable of producing 5 billion notes per year. The cash centre can handle up to 20 million notes per day, but is scalable to up to 100 milion notes per year. The new complex was completed in five years, with work continuing during the pandemic, and formally opened last year.
Special Achievement Award

CBE – State-Of-The-Art Printworks
Central Bank of Egypt
Regional ID Document of the Year
2023 Best New ePassport
Swiss Passport
The winner of the Best New Passport was the new Swiss Passport, launched at the end of October 2022, which was designed by Geneva-based creative agency Retinaa SA, and is inspired by rural Swiss scenes.
According to a spokesperson from Switzerland’s Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), the designs ‘invite you on a virtual journey through Switzerland’s 26 cantons, from the Alpine peaks down to the valleys.’
Unlike its predecessors, this passport includes ‘a page dedicated to The Fifth Switzerland’. This refers to the community of Swiss nationals living abroa
Best New ePassport

Swiss Passport
Federal Office of Police Switzerland
2023 Best New National eID Card
Slovene Biometric Identity Card
The quality of entries for the Best New National ID Card category was so high this year that it seemed unfair to have to decide between the top two entrants – so it was agreed to make this a joint award.
For the new Slovene Biometric Identity Card, the Slovene Ministry of the Interior, the Slovene Ministry of Public Administration and CETIS wanted to create the most sophisticated identity card that the current technology, security design and international standards would allow.
The new ID Card has strengthened security for easier identification and border crossing, outstanding design (inspired by Slovenian nature, history, culture and sport and compatible with other Slovene documents), state-of-the-art technology and a wide range of functionalities enabling secure and reliable electronic identification and electronic signatures.
The highest security level and the advanced functionalities of the new ID card are ensured by 34 security elements, including a chip and a photograph generated using three different techniques, as well as a transparent window where, next to the photograph, the initials of the individual’s name and their surname appear.
The Slovene Biometric Identity Card shares the Best New National ID Card with the second-generation Emirates ID Card. The introduction of the high-tech ID card is part of the ongoing upgrade of Emirati passports and national ID cards. The new identity docu
Best New National eID Card

Slovene Biometric Identity Card
Slovene Ministry of Public Administration
2023 Best New National eID Card
Emirates ID card
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) explained that the new card has an electronic link directly from the card to the ICA which protects non-visible data and that the chip in the card has a higher storage capacity. The fact that the card is constructed from polycarbonate increases its serviceable life beyond 10 years.
By law, all Emirates citizens and residents must possess an Emirates ID card to get government services, to vote in elections, to use as a travel document to travel within the Gulf Cooperation Council and to pass through the eGates and smart gates at several airports in the UAE.
The card contains an ID number that is unique to the cardholder which now includes professional data, the issuing authority and the bearer’s population group.
Best New National eID Card

Emirates ID card
Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship UAE
2023 Best New ID or Travel Document
Latvia Driving Licence
The winning entry in this category goes to IDEMIA and the new Latvia driving licence. It is the product of close cooperation between the supplier and the government agency and has resulted in a solution that is user-friendly for both licence holders and law enforcers.
Since January 2023, the residents of Latvia have benefited from a highly-secure driving licence that is ready onsite in approximately 15 minutes. The Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) of Latvia introduced the new polycarbonate driving licence, which contains LASINK™ Origin―a colour portrait securely embedded in the card, DID™ hologram, a secondary portrait (MLI positive/negative) and polychromatic UV printing.
Personalisation services are decentralised in ten production centres across the country, allowing Latvian residents to obtain a driving licence almost instantly. This is made possible thanks to a complete enrolment solution (hardware and software), including IDstudio―a high resolution photo capture device (for secure colour portraits such as LASINK™ Origin) with a small footprint and desktop personalisation equipment including laser printers with a small footprint and specific software for LASINK™ Origin personalisation.
Best New ID or Travel Document

Latvia Driving Licence
Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) of Latvia
2023
NASPS Industrial Complex
Special Recognition of Achievement Award
No existing category fully captured the excellent work that IIG and the Egyptian government have done in modernising the country’s ID system, instead they have been awarded with a Special Recognition of Achievement.
Up to 2008, Egyptian passports were personalised with handwriting and had poor levels of physical and information security but within 15 years Egypt has moved from handwritten passports to biometric ones.
To help achieve this, IIG built and commissioned the NASPS industrial complex, one of the most advanced security printing industrial complexes in the region and the world, with seven factories under one roof – covering the value chain from the production of secure

NASPS Industrial Complex
IIG and the Egyptian government
2023 Certificate of Achievement Award
New Turkish Passport
The Certificate of Achievement Award was created, for this year, to recognise the dedication of the Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of Treasury and Finance and the Turkish State Mint and Printing House in creating the New Turkish Passport.
Throughout the new passport, there is an impressive attention to detail, no more so than the DOVID elements on the data page that feature e-beam mastering, colourless, nanostructured and interactive holograms, a combination of transparent and metallic diffractive areas and a metallised holographic flag of the country.
Certificate of Achievement Award

New Turkish Passport
Turkey’s Ministry of Treasury and Finance
Previous Years’ Winners
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Regional Banknote
2022 Best New Series
Oman 6th Series
The winner of the best new series was the Central Bank of Oman, for the new banknotes launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Modern Omani Renaissance. The central bank is recognised as always having been at the forefront of adopting new banknote security features and the new series was no exception.
The design contract was awarded to Oberthur Fiduciaire, and production was split with Giesecke + Devrient. Oberthur Fiduciaire provided the substrate for the three lower denominations and Louisenthal for the four higher ones. The first in the series, the 50 rial, was issued in mid 2020, and the remaining six denominations in early 2021.
The main overt feature on the four highest denominations (the 50, 20, 10 and 5 rials) is varifeye® ColourChange Patch, comprising a foil patch with micro-mirror and colour changing technology over a window. They also feature 4mm RollingStar® security threads and SICPA’s SPARK® Live, with a colour shift matching the thread.
The 1 rial, meanwhile, was the world’s first banknote to feature Oberthur Fiduciaire’s Pulsar™ thread, a combination of movement and colour shift. The ½ rial and 100 baisa contain an embedded 1.2mm Combifluo™ thread with alternations of fluorescent colour son the front and back, creating a third fluorescent colour when illuminated from behind.
All seven notes are printed with Avalon Tri Fluo™, another first from Oberthur for circulating banknotes, and coated with Ultra™, a reinforced post print varnish with additional water and oil resistant properties. In addition, Oberthur’s Highlink™ strengthening agent was added to the three lower denominations to further improve their performance in circulation.
2022 Best New Series

Oman 6th Series
Central Bank of Oman
2022 Best New Banknote
Malawian 5,000 KWACHA
The Reserve Bank of Malawi picked up the award for Best New Banknote for the 5,000 kwacha. This is a new high denomination, introduced in February 2022 to meet the changing economic landscape and also the need for increased security for higher denominations.
The portrait is of the first President of Malawi, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda. The main security features are the Micromirror LEAD foil™ and Galaxy ™ security thread from Louisenthal, and SICPA’s SPARK live™ in the shape of a fish, with similar dynamics and colour shift as the Galaxy thread.
The note, which was printed by Giesecke+Devrient, has a host other features, including the watermark of Dr Hastings Banda and the number 5,000 below the portrait, a Gemini™ UV feature and a double box design on the front to assist with recognition by the visually impaired.
2022 Best New Banknote

Malawian 5,000 KWACHA
Reserve Bank of Malawi
2022 Best New Commemorative Banknote
Polish 20 ZLOTY
The winner of the Best Commemorative Banknote was Narodowy Bank Polski (National Bank of Poland), for the 20 zloty collectors banknote entitled ‘Is It Worth Being a Pole?’ issued in November 2021 to commemorate Prof Lech Kaczyński, former President of the Republic of Poland.
Prof Kaczyński was president from 2005 to 2010, when he was killed in a plane crash, along with 95 others, en route to a ceremony in Smolensk, Russia to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyń massacre.
80,000 notes were printed by PWPW. The front features a portrait of Prof Kaczyński, an image of the Order of the White Eagle, and an image of the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, while on the back are images of strikers from the trade union movement Solidarity in the Gdańsk shipyard in the 1980s (which was instrumental in bringing about the end of Communist rule), and a view of the Polish War Cemetery in Katyń.
The note is secured with a KURZ THREAD, a windowed-security thread with proprietary KINEGRAM COLORS® structures, which is vertically divided into two colours and embedded into the substrate. This is the first legal tender banknote to feature a KINEGRAM thread.
2022 Best New Commemorative Banknote

Polish 20 ZLOTY
Narodowy Bank Polski
2021 Best New Banknote
English £50
The Bank of England for the English £50, the last in its new polymer series, featuring the father of modern computing, Alan Turing. The note was produced by De La Rue.
2021 Best New Banknote

English £50
Bank of England
2021 Best New Series
Qatari 5th series
Qatar Central Bank for the Qatari 5th series, an integrated family of banknotes with a number of advanced security features, including some appearing for the first time in circulating banknotes. The producer was, again, De La Rue.
2021 Best New Series

Qatari 5th series
Qatar Central Bank
2021 Best New Commemorative Banknote
Namibian 30 Dollar
The Bank of Namibia for the 30 dollar note celebrating 30 years of independence. Prominent on the note is the image of the black rhino, one of the world’s most endangered species. The note was produced by Oberthur Fiduciaire.
2021 Best New Commemorative Banknote

Namibian 30 Dollar
Bank of Namibia
2020 Best New Series
New Dram Series
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.
2020 Best New Series

New Dram Series
Central Bank of Armenia
2020 Best New Banknote
JMW Turner £20
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.
2020 Best New Banknote

JMW Turner £20
Bank of England
2020 Best New Commemorative Banknote
19 Zloty
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).
2020 Best New Commemorative Banknote

19 Zloty
National Bank of Poland
2019 Best New Series
Swiss Franc 9th Series
The award for the Best New Series went to the Swiss National Bank for the ninth banknote series, entitled ‘The Many Facets of Switzerland’, which has broken new ground in terms of design and security.
Each note in the new series depicts a typically Swiss characteristic (creativity, scientific expertise, communication etc), which is illustrated via an action, a Swiss location and various graphic elements.
The respective themes are time for the CHF 10, light for the CHF 20, wind for the CHF 50, matter for the CHF 200 and, for newly-issued CHF 1,000, language. The CHF 100, which will be released this autumn to complete the series, will have water as its theme, reflecting Switzerland’s humanitarian tradition.
The banknotes have been designed and printed by Orell Füssli Security Printing on a three-layer banknote substrate – Durasafe® – provided by Landqart. The substrate consists of two outer layers of cotton paper and a polymer core for reinforcement that provides greater stability and durability than traditional banknote papers, as well as variety of transparent and semi=transparent windows.
One of the main security features is the innovative two-colour KINEGRAM® Volume stripe, combined with a partially metallised KINEGRAM provided by KURZ incorporating the denomination numbers in two colours (red and green)., a map of Switzerland, its language region and the names of all the Swiss cantons.
Another key feature is the SICPA’s SPARK® feature printed as a shimmering globe.
Other features include a window, two watermarks, a see-through feature, UV and IR features, microprint, intaglio, security thread, security fibres and Microperf®.
In addition, the new banknotes have been designed to assist the visually impaired to distinguish between the various denominations via a series of short, raised lines along the notes’ long edges.
The award was received by Peter Kuenzli of the SNB.
2019 Best New Series

Swiss Franc 9th Series
Swiss National Bank
2019 Best New Banknote
100lev
The award for the Best New Banknote was made to the Bulgarian National Bank for the new 100 lev, the first note in the country’s new series which was issued last December. While the design themes and colours of the existing series have been retained, the new series is being upgraded with a variety of innovate new features.
The Bulgarian National Bank has earned a reputation for innovation in banknotes, having been the first adopter of a number of new security features in the past. The 100 leva is no exception.
It features a dynamic RollingStar® LEAD stripe, synchronised to a dynamic ‘rectangular checkered field’ (like a moving chessboard) in a RollingStar® security thread (both technologies developed by Louisenthal) and to the SPARK® Live feature from SICPA.
Other security features of the paper note (which is post-print varnished for durability with Oberthur’s Fiduciare’s Securicoat Ultra™) include new tri-coloured paper embedded security fibres which can be seen in white, green, red under UV light, microprint, and a three-dimensional watermark portrait of Aleko Konstantinov (the Bulgarian writer and social activist) that is the combined with the highlight inscription ‘BNB’, visible on both sides in transmission view.
The note is intaglio printed and the use of the intaglio portrait of Aleko Konstantinov, together with the portrait in the watermark and LEAD stripe, is designed for ‘cross-referencing’, making it easy to check the authenticity of the notes.
In addition, the notes feature Simultouch ™, also from Oberthur Fiduciaire, namely intaglio-printed thick and thin lines along the short sides as an aid for the visually-impaired. And they include its interactive UV feature Avalon ™.
The whole project represents an example of impressive collaboration between the BNB, Oberthur Fiduciaire AD (the printworks in Sofia jointly owned by BNB and Oberthur Fiduciaire) and Papierfabrik Lousienthal.
The award was presented to Stefan Tzvetkov of the BNB.
Commenting on the award, Georgi Simeonov, Managing Director of Oberthur Fiduciaire AD, said: ‘OFAD sends its congratulations to the Bulgarian National Bank for this great award and is proud to have played its part in designing and producing the new 100 Lev which combines some of the most modern printed banknote security features as well as showcasing Bulgaria ‘s 21 century outlook and perspective.
2019 Best New Banknote

100lev
Bulgaria National Bank
2019 Best New Commemorative Banknote
Rand – Mandela Series
The third award, for the Best New Commemorative Banknote, was made to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) for the commemorative series commissioned to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. This is the first time a complete series of commemorative notes have been issued.
The new notes (in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200) were launched last July at a special ceremony at the historic Freedom Park in Pretoria, and were issued on 18 July (Mandela’s birthday).
The front of the commemorative notes is the same as the existing series, with Nelson Mandela’s portrait and watermark, colour shifting thread and a large denomination numeral in either OVI or SPARK depending on the denomination.
On the reverse, however, the images of the iconic Big 5 animals have been replaced with different scenes and accompanying themes on telling the story of Mandela’s life from young boy to president, marking key passages and historic milestones.
The R10, for example features the village where he was born (Birth), and the R20 the home in Soweto where he began both his career and his campaign against apartheid (Life). The background to the R50 is the place where he was taken prisoner (Capture), and the R100 Robben Island, where he was incarcerated for 18 of the 27 years he spent in captivity (Struggle). The highest denomination R200 depicts the Union Building where he was inaugurated as President in 1994 (Destiny).
The notes were designed by De La Rue and printed by the South African Banknote Company. Deon van Zyl of the latter collected the award on behalf of the SARB.
2019 Best New Commemorative Banknote

Rand – Mandela Series
South African Reserve Bank
2018 Best New Banknote
500 Dram
The 500 Dram commemorative banknote, issued in late 2017, represents a combination of the highest level of security and outstanding design techniques. The note is themed around the biblical tale of Noah’s Ark (Mount Ararat in Armenia is widely believed to the final resting place of the Ark), featuring images of a silver reliquary made in 1698 against a background of the Monastery of Etchmiadzin and Mount Ararat. The reverse shows images of fauna and people leaving the Ark. .
The banknote includes a number of security features, woven together with the banknote’s theme – some of which are making their first appearance in a banknote. They include RollingStar® LEAD, which dynamic colour and shifting effects from gold to green, and Galaxy® Security Thread, which matches the colour shift in the LEAD feature and incorporates 3D circles and intricate images of the Ark, 500 and AMD.
The note also features SICPA SPARK® Live True spin, again with a gold to green colour shift, laser cut images of the Ark and a watermark, and is printed on the Hybrid™ paper/polymer substrate.
2018 Best New Banknote

500 Dram
Central Bank of Armenia
2018 Best New Commemorative Banknote
2000 Som
The 2000 Som commemorative banknote was issued in November 2017 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the independence of the Kyrgyz Republic and the establishment of its national currency.
The new banknote has a unique combination of sophisticated, artistic designs conceived by the National Bank of Kyrgyz Republic banknote designer Murat Sagimbaev. The 2000 Som includes a wide variety of detailed symbols of the Kyrgyz people and the country’s beautiful and wild nature. By reading it from the bottom to the top, the banknote also tells the history – from ancient times to the modern Kyrgyzstan of today.
It is also the first note to use MOTION® SURFACE™ – a technology that creates engaging three dimensional and animated effects with high resolution based on micro-optics. The MOTION SURFACE stripe showcases a number of unique visual effects based on Deep (in which objects appear to sit below the surface of the banknote), Shimmer (a controlled shine) and Topo (topographic – in which objects appear to rest on the surface of the note) effects. T
In addition, the 200 Som banknote is the first note to carry Kurz’s KINEGRAM COLORS® patch that changes the figure “25” to the Kyrgyz national pattern.
2018 Best New Commemorative Banknote

2000 Som
National Bank of Kyrgyz Republic
2017 Best New Banknote
500 Zloty
The best banknote award was made to Poland’s Narodowy Bank Polski (NBP), which issued a new high denomination 500 złoty banknote to circulate alongside the existing 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 zloty denominations. The new banknote was issued on 10th February 2017.
The new denomination is to ensure the uninterrupted circulation of cash within the country, due in part to the growing demand for high value notes within Poland. The Bank also anticipates that the new note will help to reduce costs related to issuing currency.
The 500 złoty banknote has a blue, brown, burgundy and green colour scheme and includes a portrait of King John III Sobieski, continuing the banknote series theme of ‘Rulers of Poland’.
There are a number of modern security features embedded into the note, which in addition to their high technological quality ensure easy identification of the banknotes.
The banknote incorporates SICPA’s SPARK® Live optically variable ink feature in the shape of a soldier’s helmet shown on the front of the banknote, along with Louisenthal’s RollingStar® windowed security thread, which displays dynamic effects and changes from green to blue when the banknote is tilted. The new note also includes a ‘tactile’ feature to assist people with vision impairments.
The new 500 zloty banknote was designed by Andrzej Heidrich and produced by Polish Security Printing Works (PWPW).
2017 Best New Banknote

500 Zloty
Narodowy Bank Polski
2016 Best New Series
Lari Series
The second award was made to the National Bank of Georgia, for the introduction of a new series of lari notes. This is the first redesign in the currency’s 20 year history, which begins with a new 20 and 50 lari with 5, 10 and 100 lari notes to follow.
The designs are based on the existing series, featuring Georgia’s cultural and historical heritage but with a distinctly different and more modern appearance.
Lari banknotes
National Bank of Georgia’s new Lari banknote series
The 50 and 100 lari feature SPARK® for the first time, while the 20 lari features OVI for the first time (as will the new 5 and 10 lari notes). The new notes also include a holographic stripe in which the image matches the portrait on the note, iridescent stripe and demetallised colour shift window thread. The mould-made watermark also matches the portrait, and is supplemented by an electrotype with the denomination and the currency symbol for the lari.
Additional security features include visible and UV fluorescent fibres, latent image, see-through feature and microtext. In addition to the ascending order in the size of the notes, the visually-impaired have also been catered for by the use of raised intaglio bars on either side of the note, the number of which denote the denomination.
The award was received by Mariam Zavradashvili of the National Bank of Georgia.
2016 Best New Series

Lari Series
National Bank of Georgia
2016 Best New Banknote
20,000 Tenge
The first award was presented to the National Bank of Kazakhstan for the new high denomination 20,000 tenge banknote.
Like other notes in the Kazakh series, the imaginatively-designed note is vertically-orientated and was introduced in December 2015. It is the world’s first circulating banknote to be produced on Durasafe® – the composite paper-polymer-paper substrate from Swiss papermaker Landqart.
The three-layer substrate has enabled a number of unique features to be created. Each layer is a different colour on either side, and each of the two paper layers have different security fibres.
The note also features four windows, all formed in either one or both of the outer paper layers. As well as offset, intaglio, and silkscreen OVI®, a SPARK® Dynamic motif, combining silkscreen and intaglio blind embossing, was applied.
The design features the Kazakh Eli monument to Kazakhstan’s independence, the winged horse and the Mangilik El triumphal arch as well as a contour map of Kazakhstan, and a panorama of the capital, Almaty, on the reverse.
The award was presented to Dastan Mashrapov of the National Bank of Kazakhstan and Andrey Shevchenko from the Banknote Factory of the National Bank.
2016 Best New Banknote

20,000 Tenge
National Bank of Kazakhstan
2015 Best New Banknote
20 Zloty
The regional Banknote of the Year Award recognises outstanding achievement in the design, technical sophistication and security of a banknote or banknote series, the key judging criteria being that successful banknotes should combine visual artistry and high levels of technical and security sophistication, with considerable emphasis placed on reflecting the cultural heritage of the issuing country in the note, and the relevance of the overall design and symbolism to the issuing country.
The new 20 Zloty note features three security features that have not featured on a circulating banknote before – Latitude, Aurora and Metalix. The banknote, which commemorates the centenary of the formation of the Polish Legions, features an image of Belvedere Palace in Latitude, the world’s first substrate-integrated diffractive optically variable device using silver nanoparticles that are not restricted to patch or stripe formats.
The note also includes an Aurora feature in the shape of tree leaves and the number 20 which shows a two-ink colour shift using angular metamerics. In addition, a striking blue Metalix – delivering a metalic ink effect – has been designed in the eye-catching shape of a large X made of blue ribbons.
The award was received by Marek Oles of the National Bank of Poland.
2015 Best New Banknote

20 Zloty
National Bank of Poland
2014 Best New Banknote
100 Rubles
The regional Banknote of the Year Award recognises outstanding achievement in the design, technical sophistication and security of a banknote or banknote series, the key judging criteria being that successful banknotes should combine visual artistry and high levels of technical and security sophistication, with considerable emphasis placed on reflecting the cultural heritage of the issuing country in the note, and the relevance of the overall design and symbolism to the issuing country.
The Russian Sochi banknote is the first ever issued to mark the Winter Olympic Games – and its eye-catching design is the result of collaborative work between Goznak and the Central Bank’s team. It is the first time that the Bank has used a vertically-orientated design, chosen to emphasise the uniqueness of the Sochi region, which combines the proximity of mountains and warm sea. A total of 20 million pieces have been put into circulation.
The design of the new note reflects both the character of the host city and the nature of the event with a flying snowboarder on the front and the Olympic Stadium on the back set against a patchwork motif background featuring various winter sports. The note also incorporates several security features previously unseen on Russian banknotes, including a holographic patch and a 15mm wide polymer thread which changes image depending on the viewing angle. The award was received by Alexey Salunin of Goznak.
2014 Best New Banknote

100 Rubles
Central Bank of Russia
Regional ID Document
2022 Best New ePassport
Belgian ePassport
The winner in this category was the new Belgian ePassport.
ID & Secure Document News has followed the development of this winning nomination since the announcement of the renewal of the ePassport contract in 2020
After the presentation on best practice given at the HSP EMEA conference in Lisbon in 2020 – just before travel restrictions started across the world – there was some anticipation as to what would come out of the two main concepts for the new ePassport – to combine an original typically national design with enhanced security.
With the launch of the new passport and travel documents for non-nationals in February of this year the wait was over.
The use of comic strips, also known as the 9th Art, combined with the enhanced security features has resulted into what can only be described as an audacious design of a highly secure document.
The passport and the travel document share the same design and security features, so the HSP award was made to the Zetes-Thales consortium and the Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs department.
2022 Best New ePassport

Belgian ePassport
Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs
2022 Best New National eID Card
Moroccan eID Card
The quality of entries for the Best New National ID Card were sufficiently high to merit two awards being made.
The first award in this category went to IDEMIA and the General Directorate of National Security for the new Morocco national eID card, which is the foundation of thecountry’s new national digital ID platform that was launched in April of this year.
Made from polycarbonate, the eID card has a main colour portrait engraved using state-of-the art LASINK™ technology and contains a secondary 3D portrait that is easy to authenticate and has tactile relief for enhanced security. The card also includes a hologram of the map of the country which changes colour when the card is rotated at a 90° angle thanks to the use of Optical Variable Ink with dynamic colours.
2022 Best New National eID Card

Moroccan eID Card
General Directorate of National Security for Morocco
2022 Best New National eID Card
Lithuanian eID Card
The quality of entries for the Best New National ID Card were sufficiently high to merit two awards being made.
The second award went to the Service of Technological Security of State Documents under the Ministry of Finance for the new Lithuanian eID card.
What made the card stand out was not only the elegant design, which combines traditional national symbols with modern security features, but also the multi-colour image of a famous historic castle when viewed under UV light.
The polycarbonate-based eID card is secured by KINEGRAM ZERO.ZERO Combi elements that provide changing colours when viewed at different angles, and varying degrees of metallization. The card also makes increased use of special embossing and engraving techniques.
2022 Best New National eID Card

Lithuanian eID Card
Service of Technological Security of State Documents Lithuania
2022 Best New ID or Travel Document
Ugandan Driving License
The new system has drastically cut the waiting time for a new licence. Authentication is done using biometrics and scanning of licence numbers and renewal alerts are sent to drivers well ahead of their licence expiry date.
2022 Best New ID or Travel Document

Ugandan Driving License
Ministry of Works and Transport of Uganda
2021 Best New ePassport
Estonian ePassport
HID Global and the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board for the Estonian ePassport, which has successfully captured the balance between the natural and synthetic worlds that are so popular in this Baltic state.
2021 Best New ePassport

Estonian ePassport
Estonian Police and Border Guard Board
2021 Best New National eID Card
French eID card
The judges were unable to split the entries from two contestants apart, so the award was awarded jointly to the French Ministry of the Interior and IN Groupe for the new French eID card and Bundesdruckerei together with Bundeskriminalamt for the new German eID card.
2021 Best New National eID Card

French eID card
French Ministry of the Interior
2021 Best New National eID Card
German eID card
The judges were unable to split the entries from two contestants apart, so the award was awarded jointly to the French Ministry of the Interior and IN Groupe for the new French eID card and Bundesdruckerei together with Bundeskriminalamt for the new German eID card.
2021 Best New National eID Card

German eID card
Bundeskriminalamt
2021 Best New ID or Travel Document
Monaco Residents Permit
IN Groupe and Département de l’Intérieur for the Monaco Residents Permit, in which the deployment of colour shift to send strong authenticating signals was cited as a particular strength.
2021 Best New ID or Travel Document

Monaco Residents Permit
Département de l’Intérieur de Monaco
2020 Best New National eID Card
Belgium’s New National eID Card
The first award went to the Belgian National Register for the new Belgian national eID card launched in January 2020.
The card now has two chips instead of just one: a contact chip and a contactless chip. The contactless chip allows the eID to act as a travel document, with the possibility of reading it at border crossings, whilst the contact chip continues to be used for the citizen’s online interactions with, amongst others, the authorities. It also allows the possibility of adding an electronic signature. As a travel document, the eID is also fully compliant with ICAO standards.
The design of the new card has been completely revised and has new elements to combat counterfeiting and fraud. The presence of the photo combining a perforation technique on the front and laser printing on the back of the card is an innovation in the field. It is also a world first. With the main photo and the fact that it is saved on both chips of the card, this visual element is present in five different locations making it a very strong security feature.
The Belgian eID is a key document for all Belgian citizens, and its use in electronic form and via the Web is constantly increasing. In its capacity of travel document, the eID will hold the information of two fingerprints, a technique which is already widely in use and integrated in the passports.
Through its ZetesConfidens division, which holds QTSP status (Qualified Trust Service Provider), Zetes, which has been manufacturing the eID since its launch in 2003 will handle the issuing of authentication and electronic signature certifications, in accordance with European eIDAS regulations.
The award was presented to Nabil Charhia and Steven Van Essche of the Belgian National Register, and Jean-Marc Joiret of Zetes.
2020 Best New National eID Card

Belgium’s New National eID Card
Belgian National Register
2020 Best New National eID Card
Latvia’s New National eID Card
Alongside Belgium, Latvia’s Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Interior was awarded for the country’s new national eID card launched in September 2019.
Designed to be futureproof the new Latvian eID card has gone far beyond in enhancing security and functionality of its predecessor.
The card’s polycarbonate body smartly combines numerous security elements while focusing on protection of the primary identifier – the bearer’s face. Portrait of the cardholder is repeated three times using three different techniques achievable with a laser.
The main photo is relying on IDEMIA’s state of the art LASINK technology, allowing to have colourful image easy to authenticate in the first line inspection. A secondary photo is embedded in lenticular structure and consists of 4 differently angled images making the face appear 3-dimentional (SLI/FLI), and a third photo is engraved into the non-regular shape clear window being visible from both sides of the card.
The LASINK technology is supported by overlapping positive surface relief structures and transparent DOVID (DID).
Electronically this dual interface multi-application card benefits from open and secure JavaCard platform (ID-One Cosmo v8) hosting several applets, including EU eMRTD app with face and fingerprint biometrics protected by BAC/SAC, PA and EAC mechanisms, as well as eID app to provide its holder eIDAS compliant qualified electronic signature creation device and key component to electronic identification scheme for accessing eServices locally and in the EU scale.
Card’s eFunctions are made available via both contact and contactless interfaces, allowing smoother integration with NFC capable smart devices and terminals. Allocated free memory space and post-issuance applet loading and management capabilities allows to extend functionality even for cards already in the field, for example, it is planned to have additional applet for managing public transportation discounts from 2021.
Since first introduction in 2012 eID card in Latvia has been well adopted reaching above 50% penetration rate, but to even more boost cards usage for eServices and eSignature, Latvian authorities have decided to make the new eID card compulsory from 2023 and equip all population with this versatile and contemporary tool of identification.
The award was presented to Eriks Vismanis of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Latvian Ministry of Interior, and Philippe Barreau and Sanda Ruza of IDEMIA.
2020 Best New National eID Card

Latvia’s New National eID Card
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, Latvia
2020 Best New ePassport
Malta New ePassport
The first award went to Malta’s passport agency Identity Malta for the new Maltese ePassport.
The Maltese government has launched upgraded ePassport incorporating cutting-edge technology in November 2019. Distribution of diplomatic and alien travel documents began first and issuance of ordinary passports followed.
Although the Maltese passport is highly secure and conforms to the highest international standards, the new travel document integrates additional security features which will further prevent the counterfeiting of the document.
Amongst the features, biographic data is now laser engraved on a polycarbonate card incorporated in the new passport. Apart from this, the new travel document is printed on a highly sensitive secure paper, that includes advanced security features and techniques using UV and visible fibres, high quality cylinder mould watermarks and security thread. The passport also boasts biometric features and an embedded chip, which are used to verify the person’s identity.
The inner pages of the new document depict imagery of renowned Maltese landmarks and cultural heritage including those of the Ċittadella in Gozo and the Manoel Theatre. The intricate imagery, combined with a highly sophisticated layer of security features, is printed in secure ink that was primarily designed to secure government-issued documents.
The gradual introduction of the new passport will take place over a number of years. The new travel document will be issued on application for a new passport or upon renewal. Existing passports in circulation will remain valid until their expiry date. Upon renewal, the new passport will be issued for no additional charge.
UK’s De La Rue, which has been contracted to supply the new booklet, will continue to produce Maltese passports at its factory in Malta.
The award was presented to Anton Sevasta, Identity Malta’s CEO.
2020 Best New ePassport

Malta New ePassport
Identity Malta
2020 Best New ePassport
Lithuania New ePassport
The second award went to Lithuania’s Service of Technological Security of State Documents under the Ministry of Finance for the new Lithuanian ePassport.
Launched in May 2019 the upgraded ePassport incorporates a suite of modern security features some of which have been introduced in the Lithuanian passport for the first time.
The new ePassport has been developed in close cooperation with the Identity Documents Personalisation Centre under the Ministry of the Interior, Forensic Science Centre of Lithuania, Migration Department and other institutions, as well as the producer of the new document UAB “Garsų Pasaulis” and the supplier of the polycarbonate data page Gemalto.
The passport datapage has been upgraded to contain several state-of-the-art security features including Gemalto True Vision feature showing high-resolution true-colour image of Vilnius Cathedral and bell tower under UV light. The feature is located on the reverse side of the data page protecting it against slicing and grinding attacks.
The datapage also contains a transparent window which is easy to verify and provides protection against counterfeiting. With secondary image, it seals the page structure, thus making it extremely difficult to counterfeit or alter data.
The portrait is protected by overlapping DOVID made with OVD Kinegram’s ZERO.ZERO technology.
Thanks to well-balanced elegant design with combination of new and familiar elements from previous versions, the passport is still easy to verify while being extremely difficult to forge and counterfeit.
Since regaining its independence in 1990 Lithuania has introduced four generations of passports, two of which were ePassports. The document has become one of the most frequently forged state documents, prompting the government to upgrade it seven times over the course of 19 years.
The award was presented to Service of Technological Security of State Document’s Director Klemensas Rimselis and Deputy Director Leonas Stankevicius.
2020 Best New ePassport

Lithuania New ePassport
Service of Technological Security of State Documents, Lithuania
2019 Best New ePassport
New Tanzanian ePassport
The first award went to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Tanzania for the new Tanzanian ePassport.
Tanzania has moved from an MRP booklet to a phased implementation of a complete eImmigration system in January 2018, with the first stage of the project, including the issuance of the first ePassports, being only four months from contract award to completion.
The new ePassport features a polycarbonate datapage incorporating laser engraving technology, an optically variable feature and positive and negative embossing incorporating an MLI lens. The datapage also carries an ICAO compliant secure RFID microcontroller chip and operating system with ICAO LDS 1.7 as well as BAC, EAC and the latest SAC/PACE security mechanisms, certified up to EAL6+.
The design of the booklet captures local themes and cultures across the visa pages, datapage and end papers, helping to engender a sense of national pride in the carrier.
Notable features include end papers with duplex security patterns and rainbow split duct printing, and two colour Intaglio printing incorporating a latent image and an optically variable print feature. Among the security features on the visa pages are rainbow split duct printing in both visible and invisible inks, Foredge registration feature and hidden page identifiers.
One of the benefits of the new ePassport solution is that the holder can have an emergency passport on their smartphone, if their passport is stolen or lost in another country. This passport, verifiable electronically by the embassy, allows the traveller to obtain the necessary document to return home or request a replacement passport without the need for further online checks, filling out forms or other time-consuming tasks. The mobile emergency passport has been developed using HID’s mobile goID solution. The new ePassport will, at the same time, make travel easier for the country’s citizens, through the use of automated border control stations.
The passport booklet is one component of an end to end system solution to support the enrolment, adjudication, personalisation, issuance and authentication of the ePassport, plus border control and eVisa systems.
The transformational project has been instigated by the Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tanzania and delivered by HID Global, their local partner Softnet with booklet manufacture by DLRS Security Concepts (now Smurfit Kappa Security Concepts) and design by Absolute Graphics.
The award was presented to Tanzania’s Commissioner of Immigration for Passports and Citizenship Gerald Kihinga and Henry Mkuzi of HID Global.
2019 Best New ePassport

New Tanzanian ePassport
Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Tanzania
2019 Best New National eID Card
New National eID Card
The second award went to the Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia, part of the Ministry of Interior for the new national eID card.
The new national eID cards with upgraded design and security features in December 2018. It took 18 months to prepare. Both internal and external experts were consulted when drawing up the new card’s design and choosing the security elements including the Estonian Forensic Science Institute and Enterprise Estonia.
The new cards utilise Estonia’s own font and elements of its brand, and feature a colour photo, a transparent window and an invisible secondary photograph that will only appear when viewed from an angle. One new detail is the inclusion of a QR code, which will make it easier to check the validity of the ID card.
The new eID card also integrates a new chip that allows contactless use in the future, once service providers start offering corresponding solutions – validating public transport trips for example. The new chip will retain the traditional interface and can still be used in ID card readers. The chip fits more information and is compatible with new applications, like electronic public transport tickets or other kinds of electronic certification. Giving and reading digital signatures will be possible using the traditional interface only.
Estonia is considered to have one of the most highly-developed national ID card system in the world. Much more than a legal photo ID, the mandatory national card also provides digital access to all of Estonia’s secure eServices. Nearly 5,000 separate eServices enable people to run their daily errands without having to get off their computers at home. They can enter into agreements, sign documents, submit various applications, use digital channels and means to communicate with various state authorities and service providers and so on.
The chip on the new card carries embedded files, and using 2048-bit public key encryption, it can be used as definitive proof of ID in an electronic environment. Thanks to the ID card, Estonia has one of the world’s most advanced digital signature systems. As of January this year, there are approximately 1.3 million ID cards being used in Estonia, which constitutes nearly 98% of the entire population of the country.
The award was presented to Eliisa Sau, Chief Expert of the Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia and Michal Grochowski, Area Sales Director at IDEMIA who supply the new document.
2019 Best New National eID Card

New National eID Card
Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia
2019 Best New ID Document
New ID Document
The final award went to Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt, the Federal Criminal Police Office and Bundesdruckerei, the country’s state printer and manufacturer of banknotes, passports and ID cards for the new EU Visa sticker project.
As part of the EU Commission Action Plan to strengthen the EU response to travel document fraud, all EU member states will be introducing the new EU Visa sticker in 2019. The project was a result of the collective work done at EU Article 6 Committee and associated subgroup with regard to the development of an improved uniform format visa.
Following a contest and the presentation from each member state and subsequent voting on points for seven different categories regarding the visa (Substrate, DOVID, Features, Personalisation etc), Germany was chosen as having the best concept and it had also won six of the seven categories outright.
It was decided by the member states not just to write the technical specification but also to improve the quality of the Visa Stickers and limit variation by running a Development Project to produce a Zero Series/Pilot Project – which would then be used as the baseline for the member states and the producers to adhere to. The project, funded by the EU, was awarded to and run by the Bundeskriminalamt and the Bundesdruckerei together.
The development project lasted about 11 months and was finished within time and on budget with a successful outcome and the issuance of a “Best Practice” Visa Kit and Technical Specification for 31 EU member and associate States. The Visa Kit and Technical Specification would then also be used as Best Practice for the basis of the subsequent eResidence Permit Card Project.
The Visa development project involved the integration of some additional ideas of the other member states as well, in order to create a project involving all concerned – which created team spirit. Suggestions came from a number of countries including Italy, Hungary and the UK. The approval at the production stage also involved an invitation for the subgroup to come to Berlin to sign off the progress.
This collaboration increased the level of the security features, the security concept specification, the design and quality of the document. The new sticker integrates improved chemical sensitisers, high level security background design, completely re-designed DOVID with improved features, improved intaglio inks and latent images, rip cuts and advanced UV elements. The sticker also has a “quiet zone” reserved for a 2D barcode in order to upgrade and secure the personalisation of the sticker, which is seen as a good next step to incorporate digital security into the security document world.
The project is a good example of the concept of Europe working together on an issue which concerns all Member States driving through the necessary factors for the good of all whilst taking into account the compromises needed and involved in successful partnerships.
The award was presented to Dr. Anna Wandschneider of Bundeskriminalamt, Duncan Faulkner of Bundesdruckerei and Francis Deschrijvere of the European Commission.
2019 Best New ID Document

New ID Document
Germany Bundeskriminalamt
2018 Best New ePassport
New Kuwait ePassport
The new Kuwait ePassport system was a comprehensive overhaul of the existing ecosystem, comprising not only a new design and booklet but also production processes, updating service centres and new systems. The new booklet features over 52 new security features and a new design reflecting the cultural identity of Kuwait. The improved process has led to an uplift in the maximum number of passports which can be produced, taking it from 1500 passports per day to 7000 passports per day, while bearing down on resource-intensive activities and bringing the issuance cycle down from five days to one.
The biometric data encoded in the ePassport can now be collected by mobile enrollment units, and there is also an emergency system which enables standalone deployment of the issuance system allowing full personalisation of ePassports independent of external systems.
2018 Best New ePassport

New Kuwait ePassport
Kuwait Ministry of Interior
2018 Best New National eID Card
Jordan’s New eID Card
Jordan’s Ministry of Interior has rolled out an ambitious new citizen ID programme offering a range of innovative services that will transform the way the public interacts with the state. The new programme has been implemented in collaboration with the country’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MoICT).
The new card uses Gemalto’s Sealys polycarbonate contactless eID card technology along with a comprehensive suite of Coesys enrollment, card personalisation and issuance solutions as well as automatic fingerprint identification system (AFIS) to reinforce national security, strengthen immigration controls and minimise the risk of fraud in the next elections. OFFTEC has provided IT infrastructure, networking and IT security, system integration, card printers, training and technical support services.
The enrolment system is deployed in 100 civil status and passport offices, enabling MOI staff to capture the personal and biometric data of citizens for duplication-free entry onto the National Registry. The system also enables personalisation and issuance of the cards at 25 dedicated centres. The citizen’s details are laser-engraved in the card and stored within its embedded microprocessor for enhanced validation of the holder’s identity.
The new eIDs combine state-of-the-art digital and graphical security features and offer the Government of Jordan the ability to seamlessly add new card applications after issuance. As a result, it can leverage on the initial investment and develop new secure eGovernment services and applications that improve service standards and reduce administrative costs.
2018 Best New National eID Card

Jordan’s New eID Card
Ministry of Interior, Jordan
2017 Best New ID Document
New Finnish eID and ePassport
Through 2017 new eID cards and ePassports marking the 100th anniversary of Finland’s independence have started to roll out.
Finland became an independent state in 1917 and over the course of the last century, its citizens have demonstrated courage and determination necessary to forge one of the most democratic and progressive nations. It is no surprise therefore, that creative skills and inspiration can be found in abundance in the design of the new ePassport and eID cards that were launched to coincide with Finland’s centennial.
Developed in cooperation with Gemalto’s security design team, each double page inside the passport shows different scenery from the north, with the Northern Lights and snowflakes appearing in the visible printwork and under UV. Elements characterising Finland also include the whooper swan, (the national bird of Finland), Finland’s coat of arms, a poem by Finnish poet Eino Leino and a lakeside landscape on the inner cover page of the passport.
The new passport incorporates a range of innovative security features. The user’s photograph is replicated five times within the document, using various techniques such as the Gemalto’s Sealys Window Lock where a negative ghost image is laser personalised into a metallic foil hidden in a transparent window. The holder’s personal information is also laser engraved on the edge of the polycarbonate page. The moiré effect printing technique, which creates the effect of a 3D image on a flat page, is also incorporated.
Applications for the new ePassport can be filed online, with applicants confirming their identity via national ID cards or BankID and uploading their digital photo directly from the photo studio to the online police application.
The overall design for the new biometric passport and national ID card was chosen on the basis of public consultation, combined with the close co-operation with Gemalto. With the new documents Finland has raised the bar on the level of protection provided for a centennial state and its forward-thinking citizens.
2017 Best New ID Document

New Finnish eID and ePassport
Ministry of the Interior Finland
2016 Best New National eID Card
DNI Electrónico 3.0
The first award went to the Spanish National Police Corps, in conjunction with the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (FNMT-RCM), for the latest version of Spain’s national ID system.
The card, known as DNI Electrónico 3.0, features a new operating system, and is the first national identity document developed on a dual interface chip. This allows for an electronic signature to be taken both in a contact-based and contactless mode. It also combines a national ID document with a travel document that can be used within the EU using a single chip.
With NFC connectivity, the public will be able to use their ID card to sign documents using a smartphone or tablet, by linking to an online platform using different e-government applications. This enables contact with police, town hall and social security authorities as well as the ability to manage traffic tickets and pay taxes. Authorities can also use the cards to verify citizens’ identities by using its NFC features with mobile devices.
The award was received by the Spanish National Police Corps and the FNMT.
2016 Best New National eID Card

DNI Electrónico 3.0
Spanish National Police Corps
2016 Best New ID card
Irish Passport Card
The second award was presented to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland for Ireland’s credit-card sized passport card, which enables holders to travel across Europe without needing their traditional passport.
Citizens are able to apply for the card online or through a smartphone app, which allows the applicant to take a ‘selfie’ as a passport picture. The facial image taken is matched using biometric tools against existing records, although users can also scan normal passport photographs. Once all verification checks have been achieved, the user can pay their fees through a secure payment gateway.
Security features on the passport card include the holder’s signature, a Kinegram overlay featuring a 12 string harp, a machine readable zone and faded printing around the edge of the photograph. One innovative feature is the embedded hologram photo on a strip on the reverse of the card.
The Irish security printer DLRS was the lead company in the design and production of these cards, partnering with HID Global Ireland and Absolute Graphics. It was also the producer of Ireland’s new e-passport, which was introduced in 2013.
On receiving the award, Austin Gormley of Passport Services, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland said ‘we are delighted to receive this prestigious international award, which recognises the quality and innovation of the card, and the benefit it delivers. It is also a tribute to the technical capabilities within Ireland’.
2016 Best New ID card

Irish Passport Card
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland
2015 Best New ID card
Romania’s Identity Card
The Regional ID Document of The Year aims to promote the best in security printing, system infrastructure and implementation of a government passport, identity or other security card scheme.
Romania’s new identity card is the first time the national identity document has been redesigned since its introduction in the early 1990s – and the first time it has seen a major upgrade, which includes the addition of electronic functions
To implement the new card required extensive upgrades of the National IT System for Personal Records (NITSPR), which forms the basis of the National Registry of Personal Records used to issue identity cards and manage personal data.
The new national identity card has been designed to ensure ease of authentication, and international recognition and interoperability. One version of the new card stores biometric data and fingerprints. The new document is produced by welding together a number of layers of polycarbonate and is personalised by laser engraving – and is enhanced with a suite of security features, both physical and electronic.
The card also replaces current health cards and has the potential to be used for a range of services, including education, voting and legal assistance.
The award was accepted by Sergiu Mocanu of the Ministry of Interior and Public Administration, Romania.
The award judges comprised the Board of Directors of Reconnaissance International, the conference organiser, publisher of ID & Secure Document News and joint publisher of Currency News. Nominations were sought from the high security printing community and, for future awards, this community will be invited to take part in the process of shortlisting winners as well.
2015 Best New ID card

Romania’s Identity Card
Ministry of Interior and Public Administration, Romania
2014 Best New ePassport
Irish E-Passport
The Regional ID Document of The Year aims to promote the best in security printing, system infrastructure and implementation of a government passport, identity or other security card scheme.
The new Irish e-passport is both more attractive and secure than its predecessor and combines the latest security technology with selected imagery that represents the culture, history and people of Ireland.
Prime for both security and Irish culture is the image of the Brú na Bóinne stone printed using SPARK® colour shifting ink technology. Another feature involves images situated on the edge of each pair of pages – when the pages are partially bent for the edges to be side by side, the two images form a complete image. The new passport also features poems from three of Ireland’s’ best-known poets – Nuala ní Dhomhnaill, William Butler Yeats, and James Orr.
The contract to design and produce the new passports was awarded to a consortium led by the Irish security printer DLRS, HID and the Central Bank of Ireland – and the cost of the new passports is nearly half that of their predecessors, which will result in annual savings of around €4m.
The award was accepted by Fiona Penollar of the Irish Passport Office as well as Joseph Callaghan and William Byrne of DLRS.
2014 Best New ePassport

Irish E-Passport
Irish Passport Office
Special Achievement Award
2017 Special Achievement Award
1 Rial
In addition to the regional banknote award, the Central Bank of Oman has been given a Special Achievement Award for its commemorative 1 Rial banknote, commemorating the 45th National Day, which is celebrated on the 18th of November.
The new note bears a portrait of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and the signature of His Majesty at the centre of the note. In addition there is a watermark portrait of His Majesty on the right side of the note, the National Emblem at the centre and “Central Bank of Oman” in Arabic on top of the note.
The serial numbers are seen on right and left side of the note with the denomination in Arabic on right and on left side of the note. The wording “45th National Day” in Arabic appears on the right of the currency note.
The Al Alam Palace is featured at the right side of the note, and the new note includes a tactile feature on both sides of the note to assist the blind or people with vision impairments.
The vertical windowed security thread in two metallic colours is embossed at the left side of the note. The new banknote was issued in circulation as legal tender along with the Central Bank’s existing banknotes.
The banknotes have been redesigned and upgraded with leading-edge security features, greater harmony in the designs (which feature architecture on the front and cultural traditions on the reverse – each denomination relating to a specific region of the country), more contrasting colours and more use of optical effects.
2017 Special Achievement Award

1 Rial
Central Bank of Oman
2017 Special Achievement Award
Service of Technological Security of State Documents
In addition to the regional ID document award, a Special Achievement Award was made to the Service of Technological Security of State Documents under the Ministry of Finance, Lithuania, for their new driving licence.
Since regaining its independence in 1990 Lithuania has introduced four generations of driver’s licences. Whilst the licence is not recognised in the country as an identity document, it became one of the most frequently forged state documents, prompting the government to upgrade it six times over the course of 12 years. Over that period, to combat counterfeiting, the Service made progressive changes to the design of the document.
The latest redesign incorporates a suite of modern security features and includes a number of advanced features such as diffractive and UV elements, embossing and anti-copy patterns as well as a transparent window integrating the holder’s secondary photo. The new document is produced by Oberthur Technologies, with Vision-Box supplying an integrated biometric enrolment solution for Regitra, the Lithuanian State Enterprise responsible for issuing the country’s licences.
The history of the Lithuanian driver’s licence demonstrates that what may seem a straightforward issue can take years to contain. Full credit should be given to Lithuania for their continuous efforts in developing a state of the art document, which to date remains the only version that has seen no counterfeits.
2017 Special Achievement Award

Service of Technological Security of State Documents
Ministry of Finance, Lithuania
2014 Special Achievement Award
750 Years as a Paper Producer
In addition to the regional banknote and ID document awards, a Special Achievement Award was made to Fabriano, the Italian mill that is celebrating 750 years as a paper producer.
Its fine arts papers were used and highly praised by Michelangelo and Fabrianese paper masters pioneered many of the processes now common in paper manufacture today, including the world’s first watermark.
The company has an international reputation for the production of banknote and security document paper, with one of six continuous machines dedicated entirely to producing these papers.
The award was presented to Eligio Ballabio of Fabriano.
The award judges comprised the Board of Directors of Reconnaissance International Ltd, the conference organiser, publisher of ID and Secure Document News and joint publisher of Currency News. Nominations were sought from the high security printing community and, for future awards, this community will be invited to take part in the process of shortlisting winners as well.
2014 Special Achievement Award

750 Years as a Paper Producer
Fabriano
Make a Nomination
If you have a project that you would like to nominate for this year’s event, please submit the details using the form below or email Sam Burns [email protected]. The deadline for nominations is 31 January 2024.