Canada released their first in a series of new banknotes this week. The new banknotes are polymer not paper and have some very leading edge counterfeit deterrent features. There are no standard currency counters on the market that can count these banknotes due to the large clear window on the right side of the banknote which defeats the optical sensors.

The schedule for release of the new banknotes is currently as follows:
$100 Banknote: November 14, 2011
$50 Banknote: March 2012
$20 Banknote: 2013
$10 Banknote: 2013
$5 Banknote: 2013

The corresponding older paper banknotes will remain in circulation following the release of the new polymer banknotes.

As a result of this change, Semacon is releasing new currency counters which will accurately and reliably count the new polymer banknotes and the older paper banknotes. These machines will work just as well when the two types of banknotes are mixed together.