The euro banknotes Information about Bundes-Bank. In easy-to-read format.

Man with banknotes in his hand and several banknotes ©Reinhild Kassing

You often hold euro banknotes in your hand.

Woman paying with cash at the cinema ©Reinhild Kassing

At the ticket counter at the cinema, for instance.
You pay with euro banknotes at the cash desk.

A man giving money to his children ©Reinhild Kassing

Or when you give your children their pocket money.

A hand takes banknotes from the ATM ©Reinhild Kassing

You get banknotes from cash machines (ATMs).

Here you can see all of the different euro banknotes.

This is what a €50 banknote looks like.

A man viewing a €50 note against the light ©Reinhild Kassing

The €50 banknote contains a special picture.
The picture appears twice on the note. But it is hidden.
You can see the picture by holding the €50 banknote against the light.

Image of princess Europa on the new € 50 note ©Reinhild Kassing

You can see the picture on the left-hand side of the note.

You can also see the picture on the right-hand side of the note.

The picture shows Princess Europa.
Princess Europa is a character in an old story.

Our continent has a similar name: "Europe".
It is named after Princess Europa.

Why is this picture on the €50 banknote?

There are two reasons:

Reason 1:
The euro banknotes share the same name as Princess Europa.
They are called Europa banknotes.
They are also known as the "Europa series".

Reason 2:
The picture of Europa makes the €50 banknote more secure.
This picture is also known as a "security feature".

How does the picture of the princess make the €50 note more secure?

A man printing money using his computer ©Reinhild Kassing

Sometimes people try to make banknotes themselves.
These people copy the euro banknotes.
These people are known as money counterfeiters.

Counterfeit €50 note without image of princess Europa ©Reinhild Kassing

The copied banknotes do not show a picture of Princess Europa.
The copied notes are counterfeit money.

Counterfeiter at the electronic shop ©Reinhild Kassing

Money counterfeiters try to buy things using the counterfeit money.

A woman viewing a €50 note against the light ©Reinhild Kassing

The cashier holds the €50 note against the light.
The cashier does not see a picture of princess Europa on the note.

A woman on the phone holding a €50 note in her hand ©Reinhild Kassing

The cashier is sure that this note is a counterfeit.
The cashier calls the police.

The police arrest a counterfeiter ©Reinhild Kassing

The police arrest the counterfeiter.
The police destroy the counterfeit money.

A man viewing banknotes with a magnifying glass ©Reinhild Kassing

Only genuine money is allowed. Genuine money can be used to buy things.
The picture of Princess Europa makes genuine money more secure.
That is why you should always take a closer look at every banknote.