The single currency of the European Union (EU) has been in circulation since 2002. The euro takes the second place in the world in terms of popularity and has a number of advantages. Namely: it is exchanged without problems in many countries, in some it acts as a means of payment. Statistics show that there are attempts to put counterfeit euro banknotes into circulation by counterfeiters.
Financial security is needed by those who work with money and simply travel abroad. In order not to get into a situation regarding counterfeit money on vacation in Europe, you need to study the issues of their protection, be vigilant. It is useful to familiarize yourself with the appearance of banknotes and how you can check the euro for authenticity. After all, the fact that this is the most secure currency does not stop scammers at all.
Specific features of the euro
The design of the money was developed by the Austrian R. Kalina (R. Kalina), whose works were selected in the order of the competition.
Euro denominations and banknotes differ in color and size. But each depicts: the flag of the European Union, a map of Europe, 12 stars, examples of European architecture.
And also there are inscriptions: ECB (European Central Bank), the name of the currency, the signature of the chairman of the ECB. The front side contains schematic representations of gates and windows, the reverse side contains bridges.
Banknotes can be printed by different countries, but have a single design style. There are the following features that distinguish the euro.
- The currency is the means of payment throughout the European Union.
- It is represented by seven banknotes from 5 to 500 and eight coins (from 1 to 50 euro cents, 1, 2 euros).
- A unified design style: reflection of eras on banknotes and stages of EU unification on coins.
The euro is the second most important reserve currency after the dollar. There are banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros. As well as coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, 1, 2 euros. The right to issue have the central banks of the EU countries, under the subordination of the ECB (Frankfurt). This institution decides on the issuance of additional funds by states or prohibitions on issuance.
Read also: counterfeit coins
Cotton fiber paper is used for printing banknotes. This ensures a long service life of banknotes and prevents counterfeiting. Another counterfeit protection measure is the banknote number. Control is carried out using the last digit, which can be calculated from all the rest and the letter. The authenticity of the euro is also determined using a hologram.
Money also has features that simplify the perception of people with visual impairments. First, it is the relief of the inscriptions. The denomination has the larger size, the higher its face value. As well as the main color of banknotes, as their value increases, alternates between warm and cold shades.
What is the protection of banknotes
Real euro banknotes can be distinguished in several ways.
- They are thin, but have a greater density than soft fakes that resemble ordinary paper.
- To simplify the use of visually impaired and blind people, the inscriptions with the denomination are made in relief, clearly palpable. This sign may well be absent on a fake.
- When viewed against the light, watermarks are visible, there is a protective strip, the numbers complement each other.
- By turning the banknote by 45 degrees, you can see a change in the picture on the hologram. Euro banknotes from 5 to 20 are equipped with a golden stripe, and a bill of 50 euros and denominations up to 500 change color from different angles.
- A close visual inspection reveals a security thread. It can be seen through the light: it is provided with inscriptions in the form of the word "euro" and the designation of its value.
- How to distinguish a fake under ultraviolet light? The EU flag should change color to green, and the stars turn orange. The signature of the President of the ECB is greenish in tint. Ring, stars glow only on the front side. On the back, they turn into an inscription with a face value and an image of a bridge.
- Genuine money is distinguished by clear microprinting in the middle of some letters. It reads well, but counterfeits of euro bills may not include this element.
Using at least one of these features that distinguish genuine euro banknotes, you can protect yourself from fraudulent activities.
Express Authentication Test Euro
| Check method | Test Results |
| Feel the banknotes | Convex inscriptions should be felt. |
| Check banknote for light | Watermarks, a security stripe and numbers that complement each other should be visible. |
| Check banknote at an angle | The graphic image on the hologram changes as the viewing angle changes. On the back of the note there is a golden stripe for €5, €10 and €20 banknotes, or a color-changing denomination for €50, €100, €200 and €500 banknotes. |
Which banknotes are most often counterfeited
Large banknotes in circulation are not so common, being used only in large transactions. Counterfeiting small money is not advisable for fraudsters, because the costs of their production are too high.
The counterfeit 50 euro banknote is the most frequently circulated. It is quite valuable, it pays for goods and services.
Banknotes in circulation
Euro money comes in the form of bills and coins. Paper banknotes are represented by seven denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros. Eight types of coins are changeable 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and there are also 2 and 1 euros. All types of cash are made in the same style. The denominations depict European architectural elements with a trace of their progress.
The first banknotes were issued in 2002. In 2013, the second series was released with the title "Europe". It is characterized by minor, but clearly distinguishable design changes, modern security elements. According to the intentions of the ECB, new money will be released into circulation every 7 or 8 years. The style and thematic orientation of the images remained the same.
5 euro
The 5 euro banknote has the smallest denomination of all existing euro-money and the corresponding small size of 120 by 62 mm. Appearance is distinguished by gray shades. Antique architecture is visible: the temple portal depicted on the front side (obverse), a two-tiered bridge on the back (reverse). There is a banknote of 5 euros from 2013, which was reissued with the Europa series.
The protection is represented by a watermark with an image of an arch and a number. On the left is a security thread that reads "5 EURO". The front side is supplied with a holographic tape, on which, when turned, the euro sign, the number 5, the inscription with the name in Greek and Latin appear.
10 euro
The second largest banknote is red or slightly pink in color. Dimensions 10 euros - 127 by 67 mm. What is depicted on it reflects the medieval era: the castle portal on the face and the stone bridge on the back. The appearance of a new euro banknote with improvements dates back to 2014. An arch and the number 10 can be seen on the watermarks. The security thread has the inscription “10 EURO”, the hologram shows the euro sign and the denomination. The background under ultraviolet becomes dark, the stars are orange, and the bridge is green in hue.
20 euro
The blue denomination has even larger dimensions: 133 by 72 mm. Architectural motifs are represented by the Gothic style. These are lancet arched windows on the front side and a stone bridge on the reverse. The release of the new version dates back to 2015. Protection of 20 euros is made in the form of a vertical thread, a holographic tape and watermarks.
50 euro
The orange €50 note (€50) measures 140mm x 77mm. It depicts Renaissance architecture: a Renaissance window opening and a bridge. In 2017, an updated 50 euro banknote appeared with enhanced security. On the watermark is the goddess Europa. There is a hologram, a thread, ultraviolet ink, perforation, microprinting are used. The serial number is subject to a mathematical rule.
The name 50 euros in the European Union is also printed in Cyrillic, because Bulgaria joined it. The denomination is probed, which is done for visually impaired people. 50 euro banknote is very popular. It is 45% of all those in circulation in the EU. There are 2 variants from different production series. For genuine money, the paper should not be smooth, watermarks are visible through the light, although there are high-quality imitations of them. Only the 50 euro banknote has the property that the transparent strip on the back turns golden in reflected light. Negative inscriptions 50 and € appear on it.
100 euro
One of the largest banknotes with a denomination of "one hundred" differs in size 147 by 82 mm, includes two architectural styles: baroque and rococo. The green 100 euro banknote has a portal with statues of the Atlanteans on the obverse and a bridge with sculptures on the reverse. What the banknote looks like is marked by the traditional 12-star symbol, the flag, the map and the signature of the EU director. The watermark contains an arch, visible through the light from both sides. There is also a hologram and the inscription "100 EUR" on the security thread. Like other large denominations, there are characteristic security features that prevent counterfeiting. This is a matte texture, perforation, microprinting, parts of the number 100 are combined.
200 euros
The 153mm x 82mm yellow note has matte images, perforations and microprinting. At the bottom of the obverse of 200 euros there are vertical embossed lines so that authenticity can be determined in a tactile way. The way this money looks is close to the modern era. This is modern, architecture with the use of steel and glass. On the front side are glass portals, on the back - a metal bridge and a map. There is a security thread, watermarks.
500 Euro
The denomination of the largest denomination with a size of 160 by 82 mm is colored with purple hues, reflecting modernity. On the front side is a skyscraper made of glass and concrete. On the reverse - suspension bridges. Since 2016, the issue of 500 euros has been discontinued, but a renewal is possible with the Europa series.
The question of how to determine authenticity is solved by a watermark on which the denomination is visible, and a hologram.
There are also colored fibers, microtext, relief.
coins
Different countries are engaged in the issuance of coins, their minting, as a result, the design is different. But the whole series is marked by the following common elements.
- The presence of a card against which the face value is displayed.
- There are 12 stars on the front and back sides.
- The same font, sketchy.
The states producing coins are not entitled to change the design. Although the obverse is the national side, where it is only necessary to keep the symbol with 12 stars.
1 and 2 euro
On 1 and 2 euros, a map of Europe without borders is drawn from metal of two colors. More than 300 types of commemorative and commemorative 2 euro coins have been created for collectors.
cents
The reverse side of the 1, 2 and 5 cents is represented by a globe with the location of Europe. 10, 20, 50 euro cents are decorated with the image of the EU countries, symbolically striving to unite.
Stamping specifics
Member States of the EU have the right to produce their own coins that differ in face. This feature identifies them by the place of manufacture.
There are 12 stars in a circle, but the rest of the images are peculiar to each mint separately.
There are 23 variants of obverses, including those from Monaco, the Vatican, San Marino, outside the European Union. Belgium released 4 types. Such different coins are accepted throughout the EU.
- Change denominations 1, 2 and 5 are cast from steel, adding a copper coating. These coins have a smooth edge (edge), but 2 cents are provided with a groove in diameter.
- 10, 20 and 50 are made from Scandinavian gold. That is - a copper alloy with aluminum, tin, zinc in the composition. 10 and 50 have a ribbed edge, and the edge of 20 is decorated with a “Spanish flower”: 7 dents at regular intervals.
- Bimetallic 1 and 2 euros have a central and outer area. The 1 euro has a yellow outer circle, while the 2 has a white metal circle. The edge of 1 euro is divided into 6 smooth and ribbed segments, in 2 it is provided with an inscription indicating the country of minting the coin. These are hymns, mottos, symbols.
Anniversary and commemorative money
Most often, commemorative coins are the denomination of 2 euros (more than 300 types have been issued). Each state can create its own souvenirs depicting important events. There are general series on a single theme. All this money is a means of payment, and is also endowed with a collection value. Commemorative coins made of precious metals differ from memorable souvenirs. 4 episodes were released.
- In 2007, 13 "Treaty of Rome" coins.
- 2009 - 16 coins "10 years of the Economic and Monetary Union".
- 2012 - 17 coins "10 years of the euro".
- 2015 - 19 coins "30 years of the flag of Europe".
States may produce commemorative copies in whole series. Germany dedicated the issue to the Federal States, and Spain to UNESCO cultural and natural monuments. There is also a feature associated with 5 euros. The coin is suitable for payment only in the country where it was issued, but more often remains in collections.
The issue of souvenir banknotes is not practiced, but there are non-payment copies for collections. This is how 0 euros were produced with all the elements of protection. Or denominations 300, 600 1000 endowed with erotic content and the name EROS. It was funny that shop assistants in some cities accepted them.
Conclusion
Now people don't use cash very often anymore. Even going on a trip, they carry a card with them to pay for purchases and services. But non-cash payment is not always possible, some of the bills have to be carried with you. It will be very useful to familiarize yourself with European money in order to ensure your safety. Financial literacy will prevent the case when you can confuse a fake with real money.