New €10 banknote unveiled

In the second half of 2013 a total of 353,000 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation - 11.4% up on the figure for the first half-year. The number of counterfeits, however, remains very low in comparison with the number of genuine banknotes in circulation during that period (over 15 billion).

Despite this small number, the members of the Eurosystem - the European Central Bank (ECB) and the 18 national central banks of the euro area - advise people to stay vigilant when receiving banknotes. Genuine banknotes can be easily recognised using the simple "feel, look and tilt" method described on the euro pages of the ECB's website and the websites of the Eurosystem national central banks. If a person receives a suspect banknote, they should compare it directly with one that is known to be genuine. If those suspicions are confirmed, the person should contact either the police or - depending on national practice - the respective national central bank.

The €20 and €50 continued to be the most counterfeited banknotes. The proportion of counterfeit €20 notes increased and that of counterfeit €50 notes decreased. Together, they accounted for 78% of the counterfeits.

98% of the counterfeits were found in euro area countries. Only around 1.5% were found in EU Member States outside the euro area and 0.5% were found in other parts of the world.

Yves Mersch, member of the ECB's Executive Board, today unveiled the new Europa series €10 banknote, which follows the new €5 banknote, issued on 2 May 2013. The other banknotes in this series will be introduced gradually over the coming years.

The new €10 banknote of the Europa series will start circulating on 23 September 2014, thus giving enough time for all parties to prepare for a smooth introduction.

The new €10 will be easily recognisable as its design is similar to the €10 of the first series. The design incorporates advances in banknote technology, making the note even more resistant to counterfeiting. It will also be more durable.

"12 years after the euro banknotes and coins were introduced, it's easy for us to take them for granted and to forget what an ambitious, even bold, project it was to introduce the euro," Mersch said.

While the new €10 resembles the one first issued in 2002, it has been given a fresh look and has several new and enhanced security features. For example, like the new €5, it includes a portrait of Europa - a figure from Greek mythology and the origin of our continent's name - in the hologram and the watermark.

Like the first series of euro banknotes, the new €10 banknote will be very easy to check manually and visually, using the "feel, look and tilt" method. In addition to the portrait of Europa in the hologram and the watermark, the notes include an emerald number, which changes colour from emerald green to deep blue when tilted.

The €5 and €10 banknotes of the Europa series are more durable as they have a protective coating. This means that the banknotes will need to be replaced less frequently, thus lowering costs and reducing the impact on the environment. Over time, the Eurosystem will gradually upgrade all the euro banknotes in ascending order.