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20 Euros - Smoby Specimen
| Issuer | European Central Bank |
|---|---|
| Year | |
| Type | Fantasy banknote |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Fantasy reproduction of the First Series (ES1) 20 euro note in blue tones, with a Gothic architectural vignette at right and the EU flag at upper left. The denomination numeral appears in large intaglio-style figures at upper right, with a guilloche underprint across the field. A diagonal SPECIMEN overprint is applied in dark lettering across the centre. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The reverse is largely blank with a pale ground, bearing a diagonal SPECIMEN overprint in light grey lettering across the centre and the trade name "Smoby" printed along the lower margin. |
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| Comments |
This is a toy banknote produced by Smoby, a French toy manufacturer, designed for use in play cash registers and children's retail playsets. It was never issued or authorized by the European Central Bank — the ECB name appears because Smoby modeled the design loosely on circulating euro notes to make the toy functional and recognizable to children. The ECB has periodically pursued legal action against producers of euro-lookalike novelty items under EU Regulation 2532/2001, which governs unauthorized reproductions.
The word "Specimen" printed across these notes is Smoby's own addition, not an ECB security designation.