Around 340 million people live in nineteen European countries. There are approximately thirteen billion notes in circulation. So it should not be surprising that Fake Euro Currency is a continuing problem. The vast majority of Counterfeit Euro Notes can easily be identified if you are familiarized with the features of each Euro denomination and how to verify the advanced security features contained within each bill.
Observing General Details:
Recognize the Proper Styles and Colors: You should first be aware that Fake Euro Currency are only available in five, ten, twenty, 50, 100, 200, and 500 denominations. If you’re hand a EURo15 bill, do not accept it. Every Euro denomination has a standard image style and color palette.
- Euros showcases distinctive styles of architectural imagery from different periods in European history. Each bill has a front and back. The rear shows a window, door, or gate motif.
- Five Euro bills are Classical in architecture and primarily gray.
- Ten Euro bills are make of Romanesque architecture and are predominantly in red.
- Twenty Euro bills are Gothic in design and primarily blue.
- The fifty Euro bills are predominantly orange and feature Renaissance architecture.
- One-hundred Euro bills are make of Baroque/Rococo architecture and are predominantly green.
- Two-hundred Euro bills are make of iron and glass and are predominantly yellow-brown.
- Five-hundred Euro bills are Modern Architecture and predominantly purple.
Measure the Bills: Euro bills have different sizes than U.S. currency. Although this can be a problem for counterfeiters, it is mainly done to benefit the visually impaired.
- EUR5 = 120x62mm
- EUR10 = 127x67mm
- EUR20 = 133×72 mm
- EUR50 = 140x77mm
- EUR100 = 147x82mm
- EUR200 = 153×82 mm
- EUR500 = 160x82mm
Feel the Distinctive Paper: Euros are make from 100% cotton fiber. This increases durability and gives them a unique feel. Genuine Euros should feel firm and crisp, with the ink should feel thicker in the areas that are more raised.
- Fake Euro Currency feel dry and waxy and lack the raised texture.
- Identifying these features with the older and more worn Euro bills may be more challenging. An experienced Euros handler can still tell the difference.
Keep an eye out for the Europa Series: Over the past few years, Europe’s Central Bank slowly introduced a new series of Euro bills. Because of some of the security enhancements, these known as the Europa Series.
- These bills have a watermark portrait depicting Europa (a female), which can see when the bill is held in the light.
- The bill also includes a hologram image of Europa in the silver security line. This becomes visible when the bill tilts.
Security Features For:
Look Out For The Watermark: All Euros come with a watermark image. This watermark is visible when the bill comes up to the light. This image is a replica of an architectural image on the bill. It can found on the left, at the bottom of every bill.
- Variations in the paper thickness create the watermark on genuine Euros. The image will be easily visible when it is held up to the light. Smooth transitions will occur between the dark and light elements.
- The watermark on Fake Euro Currency is often print onto the paper. The image is often not as clear and often has sharp light-dark transitions when held up to the light.
Handle the Hologram: All Euros include a hologram. It will appear on the right-hand side of the bill, depending on the denomination. The image will change if you tilt the bill concerning your eyes.
- The hologram on real Euros will change when it is tilted. Actual images may vary by series and denomination (the Europa Series uses her portrait).
- Fake Euros often lack a hologram. This means that the image is static even when the bill tilts.
Learn the Security Thread: All Euro coins include a security thread appearing in the bill’s middle-left. It is a vertical stripe. The three is ebbed in the bill and is not print on it.
- When held up to the light, the security stripe of genuine Euros always looks very dark. In tiny but legible letters, it also contains the number denomination and the word “EURO,” or, in the case of the new series, the “EUR.”
- The security stripe on fake Euros is typically a grayish-black line. It doesn’t appear very dark when it is held up to the light and often has blurry or absent micro-printing.
Check for Color Changes: Euros use color-shifting elements to tilt bills. On the back right, look for the number value of the bill. This technology is only available for denominations above fifty Euros.
- When tilted, the color of the denomination numeral on an actual Euro will change from purple to green or brown depending on its denomination.
- This effect is absent in most fake Euros, so the numeral stays purple even when it’s tilt.
Mind the Micro-Printing. Although it is difficult to see, micro-printing can see under magnification. This requires advanced printing techniques that are beyond most counterfeiters’ reach. Some elements of micro-printing are use in all Euro bills. They can be found in the word “EURO” or the star decal depending on the series and denomination.
- Micro-printing legitimate Euros on genuine Euros will look thin to the naked eye. Clear print can see with a magnifying lens. Micro-printing is a method that allows you to print the number denomination of the bill repeatedly.
- The micro-printing on fake Euros is usually blurry or non-existent under magnification. If you want to identify Fake Bills, a magnifying glass can be a helpful tool.
Discover Ultraviolet & Infrared Properties: Holding Euros to traditional light sources will reveal many of the most essential security features. However, special features can also be reveal by using infrared or ultraviolet technology.
- Genuine Euros do not emit a “glow” under UV light. However, the color of fibers embedded in the bill can vary depending on its denomination. Three colors are visible under UV light in newer bills.
- Under infrared lighting, only the printed side on the front of a genuine Euro will be visible, along with a little bit of the architectural image.
- Fake Euros emit a bright glow when exposed to UV light. The security thread and fake watermark are reveal as darkened lines.
- Fake Euros’ text and images are often visible under infrared lights, but they can be hard to see.
