A new 10-lat banknote that looks essentially the same as those already in circulation, but with better protection against counterfeiting, is to be released Oct. 1 by the Bank of Latvia.

The anti-counterfeiting elements already are used in the latest 5-lat and 20-lat notes, according to a Sept. 30 press release from the central bank. The front of the new 10-lat note includes two “10” symbols imprinted in relief above the translucent oak leaf. Also on the front, the large “10” is printed with a special ink that gives the illusion of changing colors when the bill is held at different angles.

The need for the new 10-lat note was driven by demand for the currency, according to the press release. Due to normal wear and tear, the average lifespan of a 10-lat note is 1.6 years. Last year alone the central bank removed from circulation and destroyed 4.6 million 10-lat notes.

The new notes were printed by Giesecke & Devrient, the same German company that has printed other Latvian banknotes.

Holders of earlier 10-lat banknotes issued in 1992 or 2000 may continue to use them as they remain legal tender.

Latvia has reached a milestone in its annual ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) prepared by the anti-graft organization Transparency International, but has a long way to go if it wants to catch up with its neighbor to the north.

CPI data released Sept. 23 in Berlin show Latvia’s overall ranking has dropped, but its index score has improved. Out of 180 countries in the 2008 survey, Latvia ranks 52nd, slipping from its ranking of 51st last year.

But the 2008 index score of 5.0 means that Latvia for the first time is not viewed as having a serious problem with corruption. Last year, Latvia had a score of 4.8.

The index uses a combination of 13 research surveys to measure perception of public sector corruption. Nations are given a score from zero, meaning the country is viewed as highly corrupt, to 10, signifying highly clean. Countries that score below five are considered to have a serious corruption problem in the public sector.

Ten years ago, Latvia ranked 71st in the CPI with a score of 2.7, sharing its spot with Pakistan.

Latvia’s northern neighbor, Estonia, ranks 27th in the 2008 index with a score of 6.6, while Lithuania ranks 58th with a score of 4.6.

Topping the 2008 rankings are Denmark, Sweden and New Zealand, each with a score of 9.3. The United States is 18th with a score of 7.3, putting it on par with Japan and Belgium. Russia, with a score of 2.1, ranks 147th and is placed alongside Syria, Bangladesh and Kenya.

(Corrected 23 SEP 2008)