Catalog
5 Euros Europa Series
| Issuer | European Central Bank |
|---|---|
| Year | 2011-2019 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 5 Euros |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
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| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | The obverse presents an intaglio vignette of stylised Classical-period windows and doorways — composite architectural forms not derived from any existing monument — rendered in grey and green against a guilloche underprint, with a large value numeral '5' in the lower right quadrant. A portrait watermark of Europa, drawn from Greek mythology, is incorporated into the paper and becomes visible when the note is held to light. Issuer acronyms in the scripts of the EU's official languages are printed across the upper register alongside the year date. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
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| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Watermark, Security thread, Hologram |
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| Comments |
The Europa series 5 euro replaced the original 2002 issue and introduced the portrait watermark of Europa — a figure from Greek mythology drawn from a Louvre collection vessel — embedded into the paper itself, marking the first time a specific named figure appeared in ECB watermark security. Robert Kalina had designed the original series for the Oesterreichische Nationalbank competition in 1996; his Europa series revision retained the architectural vocabulary while incorporating substantially upgraded security architecture demanded by escalating counterfeiting pressure on the lowest denomination.
The 5 was the first Europa series note released, in May 2013, functioning as a live test of public and retail acceptance before the higher denominations followed at intervals through 2019.