WORLD
New €20 banknote enters circulation
Baku, November 25, AZERTAC
The European Central Bank’s new security-enhanced €20 banknote entered circulation today, Nov. 25, according to Coin news.
These notes appear as the latest release in the second generation of euros known as the "Europa Series." €5 and €10 banknotes preceded this release, and they included new anti-counterfeiting devices as well.
Independent banknote designer Reinhold Gerstetter of Berlin created the €20 design. At the core of new anti-counterfeiting measures is a "portrait window" that shows a transparent likeness of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology. The portrait is visible from both sides of the note when held up to the light.
4.3 billion of the notes have been printed so far, each on cotton paper as is standard for the series. They join the original €20 banknotes, which remain legal tender and will be gradually withdrawn from circulation.
This release comes after a long period of public information and marketing campaigns to ensure a smooth introduction. Equipment manufacturers and suppliers were invited to a seminar at the Bank of Italy in Rome in February, which was followed a few weeks later by an official unveiling ceremony at the European Central Bank headquarters in Frankfurt.
Europa series banknotes debuted in May 2013 with the €5 note. The €10 noted launched in September 2014. New versions of the €50, €100, €200 and €500 notes will be issued over time.