Is it a problem if cash disappears? This is of course a valid question. There are some groups in society who for various reasons find it difficult to accept, use or gain access to digital technology and different solutions need to be found for these groups. But for the majority of the population, the market appears able to supply payment solutions on its own. The question does require some careful thought, however. What is money, and what is required for money to function as such? What is the difference between various types of money? Why have central banks gained such a central role in the monetary system? These are practical but nevertheless almost philosophical questions that cannot be fully dealt with in a short speech. But allow me to nevertheless develop these questions a little further. Can “new money” function as an arithmetical unit, store of value and means of payment? It is difficult to define what money actually is. Put simply, one can say that it is an agreement or convention between individuals in a country or region that “something” will function as money. That “something” can be stones, shells, gold, pieces of paper or something else. What has been used as money has varied over time and between countries and cultures. But for money to function as such, it must be 3 [6]  able to guarantee three basic functions. Firstly, it shall function as (1) an arithmetical unit, that is, all prices shall be expressed in terms of this unit.
Ladies and Gentlemen The new features on the K10,000 banknote are as follows: (1)  On the front of the banknote – there is a new bright silver demetallised holographic lead representing a fish eagle. This has replaced the old hologram of the head of a fish eagle. (2)  On the back of the banknote –the area around the value numeral, K10,000 in the right top corner, is printed with a special ink which shifts colour from copper to green when angle of view is changed. These are the two changes that have been made to the K10,000 banknote. All other features are basically the same. The reason for the introduction of these two features is mainly to enhance the security of the banknote. The Bank of Zambia would further like to inform the public that the new K10,000 banknote and the current circulating K10,000 banknotes shall circulate side by side. The new and current banknotes will therefore all be legal tender. The current K10,000 banknotes will be replaced by the new K10,000 banknote once they reach the end of their lifespan through soiling and/or mutilation. Therefore, I urge you to take a closer look at the new K10,000 banknote in order to inform the public correctly. I thank you. BIS Review 78/2008  1