2018-10-16 Tue

New €100 and €200 banknotes which were revealed by the European Central Bank on 17th September will be officially circulated on 28th May 2019. These are the last two denominations of “Europa” series.

The width of €50, new €100 and €200 banknote is similar - 77-millimeters. The length keeps on increasing as the denomination increases. Officials believe that the notes can be handled and processed easily since they have the same width. They will also fit well in wallets and will be more durable.

The security features have been upgraded. Common people can easily identify them using the “feel, look and tilt” method. Little € symbols can be seen moving around the number inside a satellite hologram. The silvery stripe features a portrait of Europa. The baroque and rococo is featured on the green €100 note while 19th century iron and glass architecture is featured on the yellow-brown €200 issue along with a big € symbol. An enhanced emerald number shows € symbols inside the numerals. Other security features are exclusively readable by machines.

2.7 billion €100 banknotes were in circulation by the end of June 2018 which was equal to 13 percent of all euro notes in circulation. The €200 note amounts to only 1 percent of the total notes in circulation. €50 banknotes are the most circulated notes which are followed by €100 banknotes. The First series notes are slowly being replaced by the Europa series.

Image Courtesy: European Central Bank