James Tarmy wrote about the Oscars of currency:

• Since 2005 the International Bank Note Society has awarded a “Bank Note of the Year” to a single bill in general circulation.
• The key criteria evaluated are beauty and security.
• The Comoros, a small island nation in the Mozambique Channel, once won the award after featuring a poem on its banknote.
• Kazakhstan managed a hat trick of wins between 2011 and 2013.
• Widespread use is not enough for victory – which perhaps explains why the American greenback has never won.
• The award is prestigious enough that countries will reach out to the organization in advance of the award, hoping to boost the chances of their country’s notes.
• In recent times currency with vibrant colours and depictions of nature rather than people, have had the edge.

Read more about the award, and see past winners on Bloomberg.