1 September 2008

De La Rue plc ("De La Rue" or the "Company")

Completion of Disposal

De La Rue today announces the completion of the sale of its Cash Systems business (excluding those activities relating to banknote sorters, the Cash Processing Solutions Division) to a company incorporated for The Carlyle Group for a cash consideration of £360 million on a cash and debt free basis subject to adjustment for a normalised level of working capital.

As announced on 16 June 2008, De La Rue proposes to return approximately £460 million of capital to shareholders, equivalent to 305 pence per share. The capital will be returned through a B share scheme accompanied by a share consolidation. A Circular will be sent to shareholders during October containing details of the capital return, including the basis of the share consolidation which will be determined at that time.

This announcement has been made available on the Company's website www.delarue.com

De La Rue plc                           +44 (0) 1256 605 303

Leo Quinn, Chief Executive

Stephen King, Finance Director

Gary Williams, Head of Corporate Affairs

Financial Dynamics                   +44 (0) 20 7269 7121

Richard Mountain

Rothschild                                +44 (0) 20 7280 5000

Crispin Wright

Stuart Vincent

JPMorgan Cazenove                +44 (0) 20 7588 2828

Michael Wentworth Stanley

Dermot McKechnie

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