Security features of the €20 banknote, Europa series Counterfeit detection

Reverse side
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Please touch the security features with the mouse.

Vorderseite einer 20-Euro-Banknote der Europa-Serie Portrait-Hologram Tactile structure Tactile structure Security thread Microlettering Window Emerald number Portrait-Watermark
Portrait-Hologram
Portrait-Hologram

The Hologram, the silver stripe on the front side of the banknote reveals a gateway and the value numeral of the banknote. A portrait of Europa can be seen in the window when the banknote is held against the light.

Tactile structure
Tactile structure

Run your finger along the surface of the banknote. The front of the banknote has a series of short raised lines on the left and right edges. These lines are used particularly by the visually impaired to easily distinguish between individual banknote denominations. You can also feel a relief in the main design feature, the lettering and the large value numeral.

Tactile structure
Tactile structure

Run your finger along the surface of the banknote. The front of the banknote has a series of short raised lines on the left and right edges. These lines are used particularly by the visually impaired to easily distinguish between individual banknote denominations. You can also feel a relief in the main design feature, the lettering and the large value numeral.

Security thread
Security thread

The security thread can be seen as a dark line in the middle third of the banknote. In the security thread, the value numeral and the € symbol can be seen, alternating in normal writing and mirror writing.

Microlettering
Microlettering

At several places of the banknote motif, there is microlettering, which looks pin sharp even under a magnifying glass.

Window
Window

The portrait of Europa can be seen in the window when the banknote is held against the light.

Emerald number
Emerald number

The emerald number is a shiny number on the front of the banknote. It displays an effect of light that moves up and down. The number also changes colour from emerald green to deep blue.

Portrait-Watermark
Portrait-Watermark

In the watermark you can see a faint image, which shows a portrait of the mythological figure Europa. This is why it is called "portrait watermark", in order to distinguish it from the watermark of the first euro banknote series. In the watermark you can also see the value of the banknote (20) and a gateway. The portrait is the most striking of the watermark images and also appears in the hologram.