Germany prints money for 60 different countries. Canada makes coin for 62!

Half of the world outsource their money printing. Between 10 and 20 percent of all bank notes are printed by private companies. Because it's a sensitive issue, it's not easy to determing whose money gets printed where. Efforts against counterfeiting are neverending and they're costly.

All-in-all, German private companies print the paper notes of about 60 different countries. Canadian companies mint the coins of about 62 countries. Their clients are usually small countries that don't have the capability to print their own money securely or at scale.

Printers must be certified by the central bank they're working for. The central banks, in turn, have to register with the World Bank for the right to order currency from the printers. The printing companies can only take orders directly from the central banks. Not even a head of state can buy cash—his central bank must place the order.