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New 100- and 200-Euro Notes Are Safer, Sturdier and Vegan-Friendly New 100- and 200-Euro Notes Are Safer, Sturdier and Vegan Friendly
(about 7 hours later)
New 100- and 200-euro bank notes entered circulation on Tuesday, completing the European Central Bank’s overhaul of paper money to make it easier to handle and more counterfeit-resistant.New 100- and 200-euro bank notes entered circulation on Tuesday, completing the European Central Bank’s overhaul of paper money to make it easier to handle and more counterfeit-resistant.
The new notes — worth about $112 and $224 — have a shinier finish and more security features, and are more durable than their predecessors, the central bank said. They are also vegan friendly, unlike the polymer bills released by the Bank of England in 2016 and 2017.The new notes — worth about $112 and $224 — have a shinier finish and more security features, and are more durable than their predecessors, the central bank said. They are also vegan friendly, unlike the polymer bills released by the Bank of England in 2016 and 2017.
A spokeswoman for the European Central Bank, which oversees the currency in the 19 European Union member countries that have adopted it, said that there was no evidence of any animal-based products in the bills’ raw materials. “The paper we use in euro bank notes is made of 100 percent cotton fiber,” she said, adding, “The euro system is strongly committed to maintaining and improving the sustainability of the euro bank notes and the raw materials used.” A spokeswoman for the European Central Bank, which oversees the currency in the 19 European Union member countries that have adopted it, said that there was no evidence of any animal-based products in the bills’ raw materials.
The height of the new bills has been reduced — they are now as tall as a €50 bank note, 77 mm high, or about three inches — but their length remains the same, at 147 mm for the €100 bill and 153 mm for the €200 bill. “The paper we use in euro bank notes is made of 100 percent cotton fiber,” she said, adding, “The euro system is strongly committed to maintaining and improving the sustainability of the euro bank notes and the raw materials used.”
“The longer the note, the higher the value,” the bank said in September when it introduced the new bills. A uniform height makes it easier to fit the bills into a wallet, and reduces wear and tear. The width of the new bills has been reduced — they are now as wide as a €50 note, 77 millimeters, or about three inches — but their length remains the same, at 147 millimeters for the €100 bill and 153 millimeters for the €200 bill.
“The longer the note, the higher the value,” the bank said in September when it introduced the new bills. A uniform width makes it easier to fit the bills into a wallet, and reduces wear and tear.
Advanced machine-readable security features “offer better protection against counterfeiting,” the bank said.Advanced machine-readable security features “offer better protection against counterfeiting,” the bank said.
The euro was introduced virtually in 1999, and the first notes and coins began to circulate in 2002. The €100 and €200 notes introduced on Tuesday are the last of the “Europa” series, which started with a new €5 note in 2013, followed by the €10, €20 and €50 in the next three years. The central bank has phased out the €500 bill in an effort to foil cash transactions by money launderers, drug dealers and terrorists.The euro was introduced virtually in 1999, and the first notes and coins began to circulate in 2002. The €100 and €200 notes introduced on Tuesday are the last of the “Europa” series, which started with a new €5 note in 2013, followed by the €10, €20 and €50 in the next three years. The central bank has phased out the €500 bill in an effort to foil cash transactions by money launderers, drug dealers and terrorists.
The Europa series, designed by Reinhold Gerstetter, takes its name from Greek mythology: Europa was a nymph who was abducted by Zeus posing as a white bull, and she has become an emblematic figure of contemporary Europe.The Europa series, designed by Reinhold Gerstetter, takes its name from Greek mythology: Europa was a nymph who was abducted by Zeus posing as a white bull, and she has become an emblematic figure of contemporary Europe.
The new notes feature a small portrait of Europa as well as architectural motifs — from the 17th and 18th centuries on the €100 note, and the 19th century on the €200 note. Those features are repeated in the vertical security strip.The new notes feature a small portrait of Europa as well as architectural motifs — from the 17th and 18th centuries on the €100 note, and the 19th century on the €200 note. Those features are repeated in the vertical security strip.
The notes nod to the diversity of Europe in other ways. The initials of the European Central Bank are imprinted in 10 linguistic variants, including German, Hungarian and Maltese. “Euro” is written in three alphabets: Greek, Latin and Cyrillic — the last to commemorate Bulgaria joining the European Union in 2007.The notes nod to the diversity of Europe in other ways. The initials of the European Central Bank are imprinted in 10 linguistic variants, including German, Hungarian and Maltese. “Euro” is written in three alphabets: Greek, Latin and Cyrillic — the last to commemorate Bulgaria joining the European Union in 2007.
Other symbols of the bloc take pride of place. The 12-star flag is a recurring theme, appearing on the obverse above the signature of Mario Draghi, the central bank president. The stars also encircle a map of Europe.Other symbols of the bloc take pride of place. The 12-star flag is a recurring theme, appearing on the obverse above the signature of Mario Draghi, the central bank president. The stars also encircle a map of Europe.