Final 'Europa' series banknotes revealed: €100 and €200

calendar iconSep 18, 2018

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On Monday, September 17th, 2018, the European Central Bank unveiled the new €100 and €200 euro banknotes, expected to enter circulation by Tuesday, May 28th, 2019. Mark your calendars, cash enthusiasts. 

The new €100 and €200 banknotes are the last of six banknotes from the second Euro series, named "Europa", after the Greek mythology figure, Jupiter's moon and continent's namesake. 

The Europa series has been introduced gradually over the past five years. Beginning with the €5 banknote entering circulation on May 2nd, 2013, followed by the €10 note on September 23rd, 2014, the €20 banknote on November 25th, 2015 and the €50 note on April 4th, 2017. 

Although the first series included the €500 banknote, issued as of 2002 until the end of 2018, the new series will not include this denomination. However, the ECB website clearly states: 'the €500 banknote remains legal tender and will always retain its value.'

'The “ages and styles” theme of the first series has been continued in the Europa series but has been given a fresh look and stronger colors by a Berlin-based independent banknote designer, Reinhold Gerstetter.'
"ECB website'The Euro > Banknotes: Denominations'

Compared with original series, the new notes will be slightly smaller - designed with the modern man or woman's wallet size in mind! All banknotes from the Europa series include a safety feature hologram strip. When tilted, the hologram strip reveals the value of the banknote, a portrait of Europa and a copy of the main image.

The euro is a currency issued by the European Central Bank and shared by 19 EU-member countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. 

Yet, while most proud citizens the world over can name the treasured faces, landmarks, and animals immortalized on their beloved country's banknotes and coins, it is surprising how few Europeans know the names of the bridges and arches on their euro notes let alone that they are, well, not real...

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Last Updated: Jan 12, 2024