There are seven denominations of euro banknotes, €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 which embody the shared theme of ‘Ages and styles of Europe’. The banknotes represent the architectural styles of seven periods of European cultural history, including classic, Roman and gothic. The graphic representations do not depict existing architectural works.
Each eurozone central bank must ensure that only banknotes which are genuine and of high quality are issued into circulation. The eurozone national central banks (NCBs) have fully automated banknote processing machines which check the banknotes they receive. The banknotes are sorted and soiled, damaged or unfit banknotes are destroyed. Fit banknotes are returned to circulation.
The Banknote Recycling Framework was introduced on 1 January 2011 to ensure that all professional cash handlers only issue banknotes of a good quality.
Various security features and anti-counterfeiting measures have been incorporated into euro banknotes. To help you recognise a genuine banknote at a glance the ‘feel, look, tilt’ process has been developed. See the links the below for further details on this process and on security features.
Banknote Signatures
Each euro banknote bears the signature of either Willem F. Duisenberg, Jean-Claude Trichet or Mario Draghi – the first, second and third Presidents of the European Central Bank respectively. These banknotes are all equally valid.
