We have already looked at the ways in which you can tell if money is counterfeit but we didn’t mention the additional security features of the Europa Series. The €5, €10, and €20 have been released but other notes have yet to be released. From the ECB website we found out the following new security features:
1. Raised print
The first series Euro notes has a raised print when you feel the bank note which feels crisp and firm. The main image, its lettering as well as the large value numerical feel notably thicker. Now with the Europa series there is a series of short raised lines on both the left and the right edges on the front of the notes.
2. Portrait watermark
One of the main differences is that the new notes have a portrait watermark. When the note is held against the light a faint image of Europa (a figure from Greek mythology) appears. A window and the value of that bank note will also be visible. If the note is placed on a dark surface the area will get darker with the portrait appearing in the hologram. The first series €10 and €20 notes only had the window and value of the note visible.
3. Security thread
As before there is a security thread which is a dark coloured stripe that appears when the note is held up to the light, as well as the value of the note in small white lettering. Instead of just the word Euro, the new Europa series shows a € symbol in the security thread.
4. Portrait hologram
If you tilt the first series bank notes the silver stripe on the right side of the note shows its value and the € symbol. In addition to this the Europa series also has a portrait of Europa that appears and a window in this area.
5. Emerald number
The Europa series has a shiny number in the bottom left hand corner that shows the effect of the light that moves up and down when tilted. Also when tilted this number will change colour from an emerald green to a deep blue colour.
6. Portrait window
This feature is not present on the €5 or €10 notes. The window near the top of the hologram becomes transparent when held up to the light and a portrait of Europa can be seen on both sides of the note. When the note is tilted this window will show rainbow-coloured lines around the value numeral. The reverse side of the note rainbow coloured value numerals are present in the window.
As well as changes to bank notes, the cash rounding scheme was introduced to Ireland in October 2015 which we talked about in a previous post. To learn more about how to detect if notes are counterfeit you can read our handling cash guide.
