MARIO Draghi, the president of the European Central Bank, launched into circulation a new €5 banknote in Bratislava in early May. The move followed the first meeting of the ECB’s Governing Council to be held in Slovakia, the SITA newswire reported.
The new banknote, which incorporates new and enhanced security features, benefits from advances in banknote technology that have been made since the first series was introduced in 2002. The watermark and hologram display a portrait of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology – hence the name of the series. An eye-catching “emerald number” changes colour from green to deep blue and displays a light effect 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. All these security features can be found on the front side of the new note and can be readily checked using the “feel, look and tilt” method. It is envisaged that they will be included in all Europa-series banknotes, the ECB wrote on its website.
Other banknotes in the series will be introduced in the years ahead, with the €10 note the next to change. Old €5 banknotes will remain valid indefinitely but will be gradually removed from circulation.
