2016-07-18 Mon

It was announced by European Central Bank in May that the €500 note will be discontinued. Soon after that, on 5th July, the new design for the €50 note was also revealed which will be in circulation from 4th April 2017. The new notes will have the latest security features to put an end to counterfeiting activities.

A portrait window reveals the portrait of Europa in a transparent window when held up against the light. A Greek mythological figure is visible on both sides of the note and the portrait also appears in the watermark. The emerald number on the obverse changes its colour from emerald green to deep blue when tilted. The raised printing makes the main images thicker than before. The micro-printing can only be read using a magnifying glass.

Under ultra violet light, some portions of the note glow yellow or orange. When the obverse is held against infrared light, the emerald number, some parts of the numeral and the main image are visible. When the reverse is held against infrared light, only the numeral and the horizontal serial number are visible.

The €50 note is the most widely used note and makes up for 45 percent of all them. The total number of €50 notes in circulation is more than the total of €5, €10 and €20 notes put together.