The Europa series

The second series of euro banknotes takes its name from Europa, a figure from Greek mythology, whose portrait can be seen in both the watermark and the hologram stripe of the new notes. The Europa series retains the main picture elements and colour scheme used in the first series of euro banknotes, while the "Ages and styles" theme showing architectural styles from different periods of Europe's cultural history has been modified slightly. The security features have been enhanced to make the new and improved series of euro banknotes even more counterfeit-proof.

The new €100 and €200 banknotes

The new €100 and €200 banknotes are the fifth and sixth Europa series denominations to be issued, following the introduction of the €5, €10 and €20 and €50 notes. Just like the Europa series €20 and €50 notes before it, the new €100 and €200 notes boast a particularly innovative security feature – a "portrait window" set in the hologram. This groundbreaking technological innovation will make life even more difficult for banknote counterfeiters. When the banknote is held up to the light, the window becomes transparent, revealing a portrait of Europa that can be seen on both sides of the note. When tilted, rainbow-coloured value numerals appear in the window on the reverse side of the banknote.

Enhanced security features

Euro banknotes are protected by an array of security features which anyone with a keen eye can use to quickly spot whether a euro banknote is a counterfeit or not.

The Europa series €100 and €200 banknotes have the following new security features:

• Satellite Feature
  On top position of the hologram stripe, the satellite feature can be found. When tilting the banknote, two €-symbols orbit around the value numeral.
• 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. In addition, it includes several €-symbols.
• Portrait window in the hologram
  The € symbol, the main design feature and several instances of the value numeral appear in the silver hologram stripe on the front of the banknote when tilted. When the banknote is held up to the light, it is possible to see Europa's portrait in the window of the hologram. Tilting the banknote reveals several rainbow-coloured number 50s on the reverse.
• Portrait watermark
  Holding the banknote up to the light reveals a sketched portrait of the mythological figure of Europa, the main design feature and the value numeral on both sides of the note.