Get ready for a safer and more sophisticated euro currency experience! The European Central Bank (ECB) has officially unveiled the new €200 banknote, completing the Europa series and introducing cutting-edge security features to protect against counterfeiting. Set to enter circulation on May 28, 2019, this new banknote, along with the updated €100 bill, represents the culmination of years of innovation and design refinement. Following the successful rollout of the new €5, €10, €20, and €50 banknotes, the €200 denomination is the final piece of the Europa series puzzle.
This isn’t just a cosmetic update; the new €200 euro banknote is packed with state-of-the-art security elements that are easy for the public to verify using the simple “feel, look and tilt” method, yet incredibly difficult for counterfeiters to replicate. Among the most striking of these features is the satellite hologram, located at the top of the silvery stripe. This hologram showcases tiny € symbols that playfully orbit the denomination number, becoming remarkably vivid when exposed to direct light. The silvery stripe itself is a treasure trove of visual security, also featuring the iconic portrait of Europa, an architectural motif, and a prominent € symbol.
Adding another layer of robust protection is the enhanced emerald number. While the emerald number has been a feature across the Europa series banknotes, this version on the new €200 bill takes it a step further. Look closely, and you’ll see € symbols cleverly integrated within the numeral itself, providing an additional visual cue that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally secure.
Beyond security enhancements, the new €200 banknote also boasts a more practical size. It now shares the same height as the €50 banknote. While its length remains proportionate to its value – longer banknotes signify higher denominations – the standardized height across the €50, €100, and €200 notes offers significant advantages. These banknotes will be easier for machines to process, ensuring smoother transactions in automated systems. For everyday users, this new size means the €200 bill will fit more comfortably in wallets and experience less wear and tear over time, contributing to a longer lifespan.
It’s important to remember that euro banknotes incorporate security features that go beyond what the naked eye can detect. The new €200 euro banknote is no exception. It includes enhanced machine-readable security features, along with newly added ones, designed to ensure rapid processing and authentication. As Yves Mersch, Executive Board Member of the ECB, emphasized, the introduction of the new €100 and €200 banknotes solidifies the euro banknote system’s strong defense against counterfeiting. This commitment to security makes euro banknotes not only more secure but also more user-friendly in everyday handling and verification.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Eurosystem, encompassing the ECB and the 19 national central banks within the euro area, is actively supporting manufacturers and owners of banknote-handling equipment. This support includes facilitating equipment testing and providing a publicly accessible list of banknote processing machines validated to handle the new Europa series banknotes. With the arrival of the new €200 euro banknote, the Eurosystem continues to prioritize the integrity and security of the euro, ensuring public confidence in the currency.
For media inquiries, please contact Esther Tejedor, tel.: +49 69 1344 95596.
