In an attempt to foil counterfeiters the ECB is putting 4.3 billion of the €20 notes into circulation, with more to follow.
The new ‘Europe series’ note is more colourful and has some new features making it harder to forge. These include a window which shows a goddess figure if you hold it up to the light. This is a portrait of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology who was a Phoenician woman of high lineage. The continent of Europe was named after her.
Cash machines were being filled up with the new notes yesterday (Thursday 26th November), so don't be surprised if you don't recognise your currency at first!
The ECB launched the €5 note in May 2013 and the €10 note in September 2014, however the €20 note is the one that is most often forged. A new €50 bill is set to go into circulation in the second quarter of 2017.
