Frequently asked questions
Currency FAQs
Are banknotes dying out?
The number of banknotes in circulation continues to grow in the majority of countries around the world. Under usual circumstances population growth and economic growth drives more transactions and this often offsets in absolute terms any decline in the proportion of banknote transactions as part of the overall payments mix.
Billions of people around the world rely on cash as their only way of paying. The macro-economic factors that have led to the current payments landscape will not change overnight. Bank accounts and electronic payments are a privilege not afforded to large numbers of people around the world.
Banknotes serve a unique role not fulfilled by other payment methods and so meet needs that other payment methods cannot meet. Where the internet, phone networks and power is not stable they remain a physical way to continue trading and provide reassurance that outages have not impacted any savings. In times of natural disasters, when infrastructure is taken out, they can quickly be made physically available for use. They provide competition to electronic and mobile payments, thus helping encourage a fair payments landscape where businesses and people are not taken advantage of. They help people budget. They also provide an anonymous way to pay for those uncomfortable with every aspect of their life being tracked and the potential implications of where this could go.
Please get in touch if you would like to know more about this topic.
Does De La Rue print all British money?
De La Rue designs and manufactures all circulating banknotes. We also provide SAFEGUARD® polymer substrate for polymer banknotes.
What is seigniorage?
Seigniorage is the net profits/losses of the issue department. A typical model operated is that the Currency Issue Departments buys interest-yielding assets to back the notes in circulation and uses the interest on those assets to fund the cost of banknote production and supply. Using this model central banks and banknote issuing authorities can often make money by creating banknotes and issuing them into circulation.
Why use plastic money rather than paper?
Since 2013, when De La Rue launched SAFEGUARD® polymer substrate the number of banknote issuing authorities upgrading their banknotes to polymer has nearly doubled. Central banks and banknote issuing authorities have given multiple reasons for transitioning to polymer banknotes. Polymer banknotes are cleaner than paper banknotes due to their lower porosity. They pick up dirt less easily and are more suitable to wipe clean with hand sanitiser. Polymer banknotes are also greener than paper banknotes, with central bank and 3rd party life-cycle assessments indicating an overall end-to-end benefit for the environment versus paper banknotes. Furthermore people don’t throw away banknotes so banknotes ultimately return to the central bank at the end of their useful life and polymer banknotes can be recycled. There is also a security benefit to polymer banknotes – standard counterfeiting reprographic techniques don’t work on polymer, with the window and inks presenting particular challenges. Finally polymer is more durable than paper banknotes, meaning that banknotes look better in circulation for longer and/or they last longer in circulation. DLR Analytics™ data indicates that polymer banknotes last 2.5 times longer than paper banknotes based on the median averages, with individual case studies revealing much greater benefits under specific circumstances.
How long can old notes be exchanged for new ones?
This is at the discretion of individual central banks and banknote issuing authorities. The policies adopted can vary. We advise you look at the website for your central bank or contact your bank directly.
Why has there been £100 banknotes/commemorative notes issued in Guernsey, Jersey, Scotland and Northern Ireland but not issued by the Bank of England – are £100 notes from other parts of the UK legal tender in England?
The value assigned to banknote denominations used in circulation are determined by the individual banknote issuing authority or central banks responsible for that currency. For the definition of legal tender in England please see https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/knowledgebank/what-is-legal-tender
How much cash is in the UK?
There are over 3.9 billion Bank of England notes in circulation, with a total value of about £71 billion. See https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes).
The four commercial banks authorised to issue banknotes in Northern Ireland and three commercial banks authorised in Scotland have additional banknotes worth £7.5 billion in total in circulation. See https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/banknotes/scottish-northern-ireland/scottish-and-northern-ireland-annual-report-2020.pdf?la=en&hash=ED5316AC40BEB9801548E1039E45C9C0EC4A454C.
Banknote issuing authorities in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man also issue banknotes into circulation.
Can De La Rue help with the repair of cash register machines or cash processing machines?
De La Rue divested its Cash Processing Systems business and no longer deals in cash register or processing machines or maintenance thereof. For questions about products bought when CPS was part of De La Rue please contact https://www.cps.world/
Can I purchase cash sorting or cash recycling machines from De La Rue?
Unfortunately De La Rue no longer manufactures or maintains sorting or cash recycling machines. Please can I suggest you contact one of the following companies for help:
https://www.cps.world/contact-us
(formerly part of De La Rue but now an independent company)
https://www.gi-de.com/en/us/contact/
https://www.glory-global.com/en-gb/
Sorry we can’t be of more help – we hope you manage to find somebody to help you.
How can I enquire about a currency collector question?
We are unable to answer questions and would suggest you contact a valuation specialist or an auction house.
Can De La Rue value a banknote for me?
Unfortunately this is not a service we provide.
Can De La Rue help with valuing stamps or other De La Rue products?
Unfortunately this is not a service we provide.
Can De La Rue design and print some banknotes for my town/club/promotional activity?
De La Rue designs and manufactures highly secure banknotes, banknote polymer substrate and security features for entities (like Central Banks) who are legally allowed to issue banknotes as currency into circulation. For security reasons we do not sell to other entities. We also suspect our minimum volume production runs would be surplus to your requirements!
Where can I get Currency Solution product samples from?
Many central banks operate a numismatic department and there are other companies who deal in banknotes. De La Rue only sells currency products to central banks, banknote issuing authorities, state printing works, state paper mills and other commercial entities who form part of the secure supply chain through to central bank delivery.
Can De La Rue tell me if the notes I have been given are genuine?
Our Anti-Counterfeit team provide this service to central banks, issuing authorities and law enforcement agencies around the world. If you represent one of these entities please get in touch. Otherwise we’d recommend you look at the webpage of the central bank for your country – these often have guidelines suggesting what to do in the unlikely event you encounter a suspect banknote.
Is it possible to arrange a visit around your factory?
We are rarely in a situation to offer factory tours to the public due to the sensitive nature of the materials we produce and the high security requirements of our sites. Some central banks do not want the printer of their currency to be disclosed. We also frequently print new banknotes where the design hasn’t yet been revealed.
If you represent a government agency, central bank, state print works, state paper mill, banknote issuing authority or commercial entity in the secure supply chain through to the central bank, please get in contact.
How do I obtain information about a currency De La Rue produce?
Please browse our webpage for case studies. If you have an interest in a specific currency please look at the webpage of that central bank. For all other enquiries please get in contact.
Can De La Rue help with cash recycling enquiries?
Please get in contact and we will do our best to help you.
Authentication FAQs
Is it possible to arrange a visit around your facilities?
We are unable to offer visits to any of our facilities to members of the public. This is for reasons of security, customer confidentiality and health and safety.
Do you have a question related to your UK ID Issuance solution related to EU TPD/track and trace?
Please contact our customer care team via
Investor FAQs
How do I check my shareholding?
You can check your shareholding details online by registering with De La Rue's Registrar Computershare Investor Services PLC.
Please have your shareholder identifier to gain entry to the protected information, or alternatively you can call the Registrar +44 (0)870 703 6375
I have married/changed my name; what shall I do?
To record a marriage we require sight of an original or certified copy of the marriage certificate together with the share certificate(s).
In the case of a divorce we require sight of an original or a certified copy of the decree absolute together with the share certificate(s).
To record a change of name by Deed Poll we must see an original or a certified copy of the deed that should show:- both old and new names, the old and new signatures, and be impressed with the appropriate stamp duty and be witnessed by a Commissioner of Oaths or a Notary Public together with the share certificate(s).
I want to transfer my shares. How do I go about this?
In all cases where private transfers of shares occur a Non-Market or Stock Transfer form should be completed.
Where the transferred shares are a gift and no money is changing hands, the reverse of the transfer should be completed and a declaration made under one of the categories listed A - M.
Where the shares are transferred for cash, Stamp Duty is payable on these shares (usually the buyer of the shares is responsible for this), and the transfer should bear the appropriate Inland Revenue Stamp Duty on the front of the transfer. This stamp should equal or exceed 0.5% of the consideration money (money used to buy the shares), rounded up to the nearest £5.
The transfer should be taken or sent to the nearest Stamp Office for this to be done prior to being forwarded
My bank details have changed. What should I do?
If you need to update your mandate instructions on your shareholding, the most secure and environmentally friendly approach is to do this online, where you can perform a range of self service options across your portfolio and manage your shareholding.
Already registered for Investor Centre? Go to the https://www.investorcentre.co.uk/ and enter your user ID and password. Once logged in follow the prompts to 'Change My Details' and update your details online. If you have registered for Investor Centre you can also check the status of your banking instructions online. Log on and the direct credit instructions field will show whether you have recorded your banking instructions or not.
Alternatively you can write to our Registrar or complete a Dividend Mandate Form and return to Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS99 6ZZ.
What happens if I have lost my share certificate(s)?
You will need to contact Computershare Investor Services PLC on 0870 703 6375 to request a Letter of Indemnity. Computershare charges an administration fee where the value of the shares is over £100 and for shares valued over £100 a countersignature by an authorised bank or building society is required. If the value of your shares is less than £50,000 Computershare are able to offer you a countersignature waiver in return for payment of an additional fee. This fee is based upon the value of the missing certificates.
If I move who do I notify?
You need to notify the Registrars in writing: Computershare Investor Services PLC
PO Box 82
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road Bristol
BS99 7NH
Access the Change of Address from
Why haven't I received a dividend?
You may not have received a dividend payment because:
- Your registered address is incorrect
- You purchased shares after the ex dividend date and were not entitled to receive the dividend
- Your bank account was closed or your bank details have changed
If you purchased your shares after the record date or sold your shares before the record date then there is no entitlement to a dividend. If you are unsure whether your purchased your shares before the ex dividend date, please contact your stockbroker.
Can I be included in the media and/or the investor relations news feeds?
Please sign up to our news at the bottom of each page and ensure you keep the 'Corporate & financial news' box ticked.
Press FAQs
Are the De La Rue logos and/or imagery available to download?
Various versions of the De La Rue logo are certainly available, please visit the Media Kit page https://www.delarue.com/press/media-kit
If you would like to use De La Rue's imagery you require to contact us via the contact page. Please ensure you select 'Press' from the form dropdown so we can triage your email to the right person.
How can I obtain general information about De La Rue?
Please contact De La Rue via the contact page if you would like to access general information about De La Rue https://www.delarue.com/contact-us
Governance FAQs
Where can I find information about De La Rue’s leadership?
For details of our board of directors please visit https://www.delarue.com/governance/board-of-directors.
For details of our Executive Leadership Team members please visit https://www.delarue.com/about/executive-leadership.
Career and HR FAQs
How can recruiters get in touch with De La Rue?
Please email careers@delarue.com
How can I obtain a reference from De La Rue’s HR team?
If you require a reference request, please send us an email. Please ensure that you include the name of the subject for whom the reference is being requested and their business location, in the subject of the email. Please email careers@delarue.com
Where can I send my application to?
Please take a look at De La Rue's open positions via our careers page https://www.delarue.com/careers
Other FAQs
How can I contact De La Rue?
If you would like to use digital means of contact, please contact us via https://www.delarue.com/contact-us
For written communication please write to:
De La Rue House
Jays Close
Viables Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG22 4BS
Can De La Rue complete my survey or questionnaire?
Unfortunately our resources are limited and we are unable to respond to surveys and questionnaires.