What are the denominations of euro banknotes?

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Euro as an official currency saw the light in 1999, replacing the previously used currency in the European monetary system called the ECU (existing since 1978) at a ratio of 1:1. At first it was non-cash circulation - a kind of parallel currency of the countries that were part of the economic and monetary union. Euro cash (coins and banknotes) appeared on January 1, 2002.

Some statistics

Today, the euro is the official currency of seventeen countries that are members of the Eurozone, and also has circulation in another nine countries that are not included in it (seven of them are located in Europe). If you put together all the euros, then the total amount of cash in circulation will be even more than the number of US dollars.

Banknote denominations and designs

Currently, the following denominations of euro banknotes are known: 5 €, 10 €, 20 €, 50 €, 100 €, 200 € and 500 € - seven items in total. One euro is equal to 100 euro cents. In addition to banknotes, there are also coins in circulation. The smallest among them is one cent, and the largest is two euros.

The design of the new currency was chosenEuropean Monetary Institute at a specially assembled council. Out of 44 competition entries, sketches of euros made by Robert Kalina were selected. The denomination of banknotes, according to the proposed project, depends on the size of banknotes. Each banknote features a map of the European Union and its flag. There are also inscriptions in all languages, made in Latin and Greek transcription. In May 2013, a 5 € banknote with an inscription in Cyrillic was put into circulation.

Each banknote features images of windows and gates on one side and bridges on the other. It was decided to abandon the image of real-life buildings, replacing them only with styles of European architecture of various eras.

Euro notes have several levels of protection: special paper, watermarks, embedded metallic strip, holograms, special printing, etc. But, nevertheless, this did not save the new currency from fakes.

What denominations of euro banknotes are counterfeited most often?

Following the appearance of a new currency, of course, their fakes also appeared. Counterfeit euros came to Russia about six months after their appearance in Europe. As is always the case with the advent of new money, the first fakes did not differ in quality. But, as they say, there is no limit to perfection - over time, it becomes more and more difficult to distinguish a fake from the original. Counterfeit euros enter Russia mainly from abroad. Most often, European currency is counterfeited in Lithuania, and sold in Germany. The denominations of euro banknotes that are most often counterfeited in Europe are 10, 20 and 50 €. ATRussia is banknotes in denominations of 50, 100 and 200 €. Also, counterfeit €2 coins are in circulation in EU countries.

How can I tell a fake bill from a real one?

If you do not know whether the original is in front of you or a fake, pay attention to the following points:

• Tactile sensations. Banknotes are printed on special paper, which is rarely seen in everyday life. In addition, the images on the front side of the banknote are made with metallography, which provides a relief surface.
• Kinegram (metallized element pressed into paper). When rotated at different angles, it changes its reflection.
• Watermarks. They should be clear and contrasting.
• All denominations of euro banknotes are printed using a special ink. When changing the angle of inclination, their color should change, not the shade.

In conclusion, it should be noted that there is still no universal way to detect a fake. Even specialists who have sensitive detectors at their disposal can make mistakes. By the way, according to statistics, there are much more counterfeit dollars than euros.