A new €5 banknote has been unveiled by the European Central Bank (ECB), with circulation to start in May this year.
As announced in November last year by the ECB’s Mario Draghi, a new series of euro banknotes would be launched gradually over the coming years, starting with the €5 note.
Draghi said: “This series of banknotes is called ‘Europa’ and depicts Greek mythology and the origin of the name of our continent.” It will include a portrait of Europa in the watermark and the hologram.
 |
 |
According to the ECB: “The new €5 banknote has benefitted from advances in banknote technology since the first series was introduced over 10 years ago. “It includes some new and enhanced security features. The watermark and hologram display a portrait of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology – and hence the name of this series of banknotes.
“An eye-catching ‘emerald number’ changes colour from emerald green to deep blue and displays an effect of the light that moves up and down. Short raised lines on the left and right edges of the banknote make it easier to identify the banknote, especially for visually impaired people.”
The current notes will gradually be withdrawn from circulation.
It is hoped that the new technology applied will make the banknote more difficult to forge.
