The European Central Bank has today released the new €10 banknote into circulation.
The new cotton-paper banknote includes various new security features making it more resistant to counterfeiting but, says the ECB, is still easy for users to check its authenticity using the feel, look and tilt method.
As with all banknotes within the new Europa series, the €10 note includes portrait images of Europa, from Greek mythology, seen in the watermark and holographic strip.
The note also includes an OVI feature, showing the number 10 printed using emerald optically variable ink which, when tilted, turns to blue and displays a shimmering bar which travels up and down the number.
The note also includes:
- microprint
- Ultraviolet (UV) security features
- Infrared (IR) properties
- embedded security thread
- raised intaglio print
Yves Mersch, the ECB’s Executive Board member responsible for banknotes, said “It’s essential that everyone who uses euro banknotes can continue to do so with complete confidence. That’s why we’re introducing the Europa series”.
To ensure a smooth transfer in circulation, the ECB made the new €10 notes available to producers and owners of banknote handling machines and authentication devices up to 9 months ago, to allow sufficient time for the equipment to be modified to ensure correct authentication of the new notes.
“To make the launch of the new €10 go as smoothly as possible, I urge all those owning banknote equipment to make sure that it can handle the new banknotes,” Mr Mersch said
Any notes from the first series which are still in stock will be circulated first before the new, second issue Europa notes are circulated.
Source and imagery: European Central Bank
