Security features of the modern Euro banknotes
(with the example of 20 euros issued in 2001)

 
Europe, 20 euros 2001, obverse Europe, 20 euros 2001, reverse
 
Matching elements (1) Matching elements on the European notes are showing the denomination of a note when held against the light. Background ornament (2) The background ornament of the European notes is a complex one. It is of various types - offset printing (on the pic), overlapping layers of different colours, gradient coloured ornament.
Signature (3) Signature is not a serious protective feature; rather a detail to show who is responsible for issuing and provisioning the banknotes. Intaglio printing (4) Most of the dark blue drawings on the banknote are made in the technique of intaglio printing. They are raised above the note and can be felt with fingertips. It's achieved by a high pressure applying a thick layer of paint.
Cinegrams (5) Cinegrams on the euro banknotes are very complicated, they incorporate a "running" denomination, microtext "euro", euro signs and microperforations. Notes from 50 euros and greater have a smaller cinegram, not a strip. Microtext (6) Microtext lines with words "euro" in latin and greek run all through the reverses of the notes. On the obverse the same microtext appears in positive and negative variants.
Security thread (7) Europen banknotes all have a security thread of insider type (not visible on the surface of a note). The thread has "20 euro" inscriptions on it. Watermark (8) Watermarks depict the main element of the notes (the arches), and the denomination. Main element is displayed in the blank field and denomination appears below it. Vertical lines appear on the notes' body.
Glittering paint (9) A vertical line on the obverse is made with gold glittering paint and depicts the euro symbol and denomination when being watched at different angles. (valid for 5,10 and 20 euro banknotes) Number (10) Banknote number is always unique. European banknote numbers go in the following format A 00000000000, and the letters use to stand for the country of issue.
Variable colour (11) Element of variable colour - the denomination, from 50 euro and higher. When looking straight at the banknote, it's colour is violet-brown; at a different angle it becomes black.    

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