5 Euros Europa Series

European Central Bank (ECB) has rules in place that disallow showing Euro banknotes in high resolution and without any "specimen" marking. Please do not change the image currently in place.
ECB/2013/10, article 2. 3 (f). with link https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02013D0010-20210104&qid=1610358320797

All notes meant for circulation bear the signature of Draghi or Lagarde.


The horizontal number comprises of two letters and ten digits. The first letter identifies the printer where the note was printed (see the list below). The second letter has no particular meaning; it simply makes more serial numbers possible.



The Trichet notes from Belgium were not meant for circulation, they were printed to undergo testing in vending machines and other stress tests before the release of these notes. They must have been printed before 2011, based on the signature.

The banknote contains a security strip with the inscription “€ 5”

© ByRussia45
The hologram has a perforation under light

© ByRussia45
 

The denomination “5” is printed in colour-changing ink. It changes colour from emerald green to teal when the note is tilted:

© Brandon Bertolli

On the reverse is a pale gold iridescent ink strip with the inscription “€ 5”:

On the obverse to the left of the word “ΕΥΡΩ” is a cluster of four diamond shapes, labelled here as four compass points N, E, S, W:

On the reverse to the right of the green 5 is another cluster of four diamonds, labelled here as four compass points N, E, S, W:

These two clusters of diamonds are not in line with one another from front to back. These diamonds are significant when observing the UV activity.

Obverse UV activity (365nm):

The obverse fluoresces a green colour only. The east and south diamonds fluoresce but the west and north do not.

Obverse UV activity (254nm):

The obverse now shows orange fluorescence and a hidden green € sign appears. The south diamond stays green but the east diamond turns orange.

Reverse UV activity (365nm):

The iridescent ink strip fluoresces pink and the quarter circle fluoresces pale green. On this side none of the diamonds fluoresce.

At 254nm there is no change in the UV activity on the reverse.

On the obverse there is a blue circle which seems out of place:

On the reverse we already saw four diamonds, but take note of the east one, it is green:

Under backlight the blue circle and green diamond come together as a registration marker. The diamond sits exactly in the middle of the circle:

If the note is checked under infrared light, the east diamond on the reverse is the only one visible. Also on the reverse the iridescent ink strip shows up and the horizontal serial number is visible. The vertical number is not visible:

© Brandon Bertolli