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.
Second Series of Euro Banknotes
The European Central Bank and the national central banks (NCBs) of the Eurosystem are to introduce a second series of euro banknotes called the ‘Europa’ series. The new banknotes will be introduced gradually over several years, starting with the €5 banknote in May 2013. More information on the second series and specifically on the new €5 banknote is available at www.euro.ecb.europa.eu and www.newfaceoftheeuro.eu.
The Euro Cash Academy tells you about euro banknotes and their security features. Please click on the image below.
Quality and Security
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 made applicable on 1 January 2011 and transposed into law to ensure that all professional cash handlers only issue banknotes of specified quality. This is referred to as the ECB Decision 2010/14 as amended by ECB Decision 2012/19 on the authenticity and fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes. Recirculation of euro banknotes requires the Decision to be followed using an ECB successfully tested type of banknote handling machine.
Successfully Tested Banknote Handling Machines and Banknote Authentication Devices do not yet apply to ES2 notes.
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.
