Security features of euro banknotes and coins
Various security features have been incorporated into the euro banknotes, such as security thread, relief printing (intaglio) and the hologram, all intended to prevent counterfeiting, and to improve the ability of people to determine whether a banknote is genuine or counterfeit at a glance. The paper contains fluorescent fibres, as well as multi-colour and electrotypy watermarks. National central banks and other banknote handlers have other additional means for checking high-security machine-readable characteristics incorporated into the banknotes.
Sophisticated bi-metal and sandwich technologies have been incorporated into the €1 and €2 coins to provide protection against counterfeiting. The embossed letters (different for each country), embedded in mills, all around the edge serve the same purpose. It is the liability of each national mint to ascertain that their coins are in conformity with the common standards.
Producing the euro banknotes and coins
- How many euro banknotes were produced for the cash changeover?
By 1 January 2002, an initial supply of close to 15 billion banknotes, including logistical stocks, had been printed for the 12 participating countries. This enormous quantity of banknotes, if placed end-to-end, would reach the moon and back two and a half times.
- Where were the banknotes used in the introduction of the euro printed?
In various countries, as the map below shows:
- What are the current arrangements for the production of euro banknotes?
By decision of the European Central Bank, since 2002, each national central bank of the euro area has been allocated a share of the total annual production of euro banknotes covering only some of the denominations.
- Who nears the cost of printing the euro banknotes?
The national central banks bear the production costs for the share of euro banknotes allocated to them.
- How many euro banknotes will be needed in the future, given the increasing use of electronic payment instruments?
Even though electronic payments are used more then ever before, data show that the use of banknotes is not declining, for they have many advantages. For example, their cost to the user is low and they are a generally accepted and efficient means of payment.
- How many euro coins were minted for the cash changeover?
Around 52 billion coins were produced by sixteen European mints, using 250,000 tonnes of metal. The locations are indicated below:
- Who decides how many euro coins to mint?
Responsibility for minting euro coins lies with the national governments of those EU Member States belonging to the euro area, co-ordinated by the European Commission. However, the overall value of the coins to be put into circulation annually has to be approved in advance by the ECB.
Download images of euro banknotes and coins
The front and the reverse side of the euro banknotes is the same in all countries, however, this is not true for the coins: one side of the coins is the same, but the other side is different for each country.
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