| Twenty euro (Eurozone and Institutions) | |
|---|---|
| Value: | 20 euro |
| Width: | 133[1] mm |
| Height: | 72[1] mm |
| Security Features: | Hologram stripe, reflective glossy stripe, a EURion constellation, watermarks, microprinting, ultraviolet ink, raised printing, a security thread, matted surface, perforations, see through number, barcodes and a serial number[2] |
| Paper Type: | 100% pure cotton fibre[3] |
| Years of Printing: | 2002–present[4] |
| Obverse | |
| Design: | Window in Gothic architecture[5] |
| Designer: | Robert Kalina[6] |
| Design Date: | 3 December 1996 [6] |
| Reverse | |
| Design: | Bridge in Gothic architecture and map of Europe[5] |
| Designer: | Robert Kalina[6] |
| Design Date: | 3 December 1996[6] |
The twenty euro note (€20) is the third-lowest value euro banknote and has been used since the introduction of the euro (in its cash form) in 2002.[7] The note is used in the 22 countries which have it as their sole currency (with 20 legally adopting it); with a population of about 332 million.[8]
It is the third-smallest note measuring 133x72mm with a blue colour scheme.[5] The twenty euro banknotes depict bridges and arches/doorways in Gothic architecture (between the 13th and 14th century CE).
The twenty euro note contains several complex security features such as watermarks, invisible ink, holograms and microprinting that document its authenticity. In October 2011, there were approximately 2,755,346,800 twenty euro banknotes in circulation around the Eurozone.
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The euro was set up on 1 January 1999, when it became the currency of over 300 million people in Europe.[4] For the first three years of its existence it was an invisible currency, only used in accountance. Euro cash was not introduced until 1 January 2002, when it replaced the banknotes and coins of the eurozone 12, as it was then, national currencies like the Irish Pound and the Austrian schilling.[4]
The changeover period during which the former currencies' notes and coins were exchanged for those of the euro lasted about two months, until 28 February 2002. The official date on which the national currencies ceased to be legal tender varied from member state to member state.[4] The earliest date was in Germany, where the mark officially ceased to be legal tender on 31 December 2001, though the exchange period lasted for two months more. Even after the old currencies ceased to be legal tender, they continued to be accepted by national central banks for periods ranging from ten years to forever.[9][4]
There has so far only been one series of euro notes, however a second series of euro notes is predicted to be introduced over the next few years.[10] The initial issue of notes bears the signature of the president of the European Central Bank, Wim Duisenberg, who was replaced on 1 November 2003 by Jean-Claude Trichet, whose signature appears on subsequent issues.[5]
20 euro banknote under fluorescent light (UV-A)
The twenty euro note is the third smallest euro note at 133 millimetres (5.2 in) × 72 millimetres (2.8 in) with a blue colour scheme.[5] All bank notes depict bridges and arches/doorways in a different historical European style; the twenty euro note shows the gothic era (between the 13th and 14th century CE).[1] Although Robert Kalina's original designs were intended to show real monuments, for political reasons the bridge and art are merely hypothetical examples of the architectural era.[11]
Like all euro notes, it contains the denomination, the EU flag, the signature of the president of the ECB[5] and the initials of said bank in different EU languages, a depiction of EU territories overseas, the stars from the EU flag and thirteen security features as listed below.[5]
The twenty euro note is protected by a hologram stripe, reflective glossy stripe, a EURion constellation, watermarks, microprinting, ultraviolet ink, raised printing, a security thread, matted surface, perforations, see through number, barcodes and a serial number.[1]
As of October 2011, there are approximately 2,755,346,800 €20 banknotes in circulation around the Eurozone.[12] That is approximately €55,106,936,900 worth of €20 banknotes (as of October 2011).[12] The European Central Bank is closely monitoring the circulation and stock of the euro coins and banknotes. It is a task of the Eurosystem to ensure an efficient and smooth supply of euro notes and to maintain their integrity throughout the eurozone.[12]
Legally, both the European Central Bank and the central banks of the eurozone countries have the right to issue the 7 different euro banknotes. In practice, only the national central banks of the zone physically issue and withdraw euro banknotes. The European Central Bank does not have a cash office and is not involved in any cash operations.[4]
As an environment-friendly institution, the European Central Bank tries very hard to make a shrewd use of natural resources, to keep the quality of the world and to save people's health in the produce and supplying of euro notes.[13]
Euro notes are safe to use: independent test results confirmed that euro notes fulfilled all European Union regulations including a large range of chemical substances in euro notes.[13] All substances in the notes have shown a concentration below any limit.[13]
There are several communities of people at European level, most of which is EuroBillTracker,[14] that, as a hobby, it keeps track of the euro banknotes that pass through their hands, to keep track and know where they travel or have traveled.[14] The aim is to record as many notes as possible in order to know details about its spread, like from where and to where they travel in general, follow it up, like where a ticket has been seen in particular, and generate statistics and rankings, for example, in which countries there are more tickets.[14] EuroBillTracker has registered over 96 million notes as of October 2011,[15] worth more than €1.876 billion.[15]
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