Euros are the national currency for 340 million people in 19 European countries and there are around 13 billion banknotes in circulation. It should therefore come as no surprise that counterfeiting is an ongoing problem with this coin. If you are familiar with the peculiarities of each denomination and know how to check the advanced security features built into each ticket, you are able to recognize most of the counterfeit euros.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Look at the General Details
Step 1. Recognize the typical colors and style of each cut
First of all, you must remember that the paper money is available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. So if you have a € 15 ticket in your hand, refuse it immediately. Each valid cut has a standard coloring and an image style.
- Typical illustrative features of real euros refer to European architecture from different historical periods. On the front of the ticket you can see windows, doors or gates; on the back a bridge accompanied by a map of Europe.
- The 5 euro tickets feature images of classical architecture and their predominant color is gray.
- The 10 euro ones are red with images of Romanesque architecture.
- The 20 euro paper money is characterized by gothic structures and is blue in color.
- The 50 euro tickets are orange with Renaissance images.
- The 100 euro ones are printed in green and enriched with images from the Baroque and Rococo period.
- The 200 euro banknotes have yellow and brown as the dominant colors, they are characterized by architectural illustrations in glass and iron.
- The 500 euro bills are decorated with modern architectural motifs and are purple in color.
Step 2. Measure the bills
Unlike dollars, for example, euros vary in size depending on the denomination. This feature makes counterfeiting somewhat more difficult, but it was decided above all to help people with visual impairment.
- € 5 = 120 x 62 mm.
- € 10 = 127 x 67 mm.
- € 20 = 133 x 72 mm.
- € 50 = 140 x 77 mm.
- € 100 = 147 x 82 mm.
- € 200 = 153 x 82 mm.
- € 500 = 160 x 82 mm.
Step 3. Feel the texture of the paper
Euros are made from 100% cotton fiber, which increases their durability and gives them a distinctive tactile feel. The authentic ones are quite stiff and "crunchy" and the print must be slightly detected where the ink is thickest.
- Fake ones tend to be more flaccid and waxy to the touch and often lack embossed prints.
- The older and more worn the banknote is, the more difficult it is to recognize these characteristics; however, a person who often handles euros is likely to be able to value them.
Step 4. Pay attention to tickets that belong to the Europa series
Over the past few years the European Central Bank has slowly issued a new series of banknotes. They are widely known as the "Europa series" because most of the security features involve the Greek mythology figure Europa.
- These banknotes feature a watermarked portrait of Europa (a woman), visible when viewed against the light.
- They also include a hologram of Europa in the silver security strip, which can be seen by tilting the ticket.
Method 2 of 2: Check the Security Features
Step 1. Look at the watermark
All banknotes, of any denomination, have a watermarked image that becomes visible by holding them against the light. The image is the same architectural structure printed on the card and is located on the left side of the front face.
- On real money the watermark is recreated by varying the thickness of the paper. The image is clearly visible by looking at it in front of a light source and smooth shades can be seen at the transition points between the light and dark areas.
- On fake euros the watermark is printed on the paper. The image is not well defined and there are often sharp separations between the light and dark areas when viewing the card against the light.
Step 2. Move the hologram
All euro banknotes have an image of this type. Depending on the cut, this can be a vertical stripe or a rectangle placed on the right side of the front face. By tilting the money with respect to the direction of gaze, it is possible to see the image.
- When the money is real, the hologram changes dramatically as you tilt the note. The subject of the image varies according to the series and the cut (for example the tickets that are part of the new "Europa" series show the portrait of the mythological figure).
- Fake euros often do not have a hologram, which means that the image on the silver side remains static even when the banknote is tilted.
Step 3. Study the security thread
The paper money of any denomination has a security thread that appears as a vertical stripe in the center of the left half of the ticket. This thread is not printed, but woven inside the fibers.
- Looking at it against the light it appears very dark when the money is real. In addition, it also features very small but well-defined letters, which indicate the denomination of the banknote and the word "EURO" (or the "€" symbol in the new series).
- If the money is fake, the security thread is printed as a grayish or black line. It is not very dark when viewed against the light and the micro-prints are of poor quality if not entirely absent.
Step 4. Check the color change
In addition to the hologram, euros are equipped with another safety feature: their color changes when they are tilted. Look at the number that indicates the value of the banknote and which is located on the right side of the back side. However, remember that this technology is only applied to denominations of 50 euros and above.
- The value expressed as a number on the back of real euros changes color from purple to green or brown (depending on the denomination) when tilted.
- Most counterfeit tickets do not show this feature, which means that the number remains purple.
Step 5. Don't forget the micro-prints
These are graphic characters that are illegible to the naked eye, but which are evident with a magnifying glass, the printing of which requires sophisticated technologies that are beyond the skill of most counterfeiters. All banknotes use some micro-print elements. Depending on the series and the cut, this may be the word "EURO" or another special image.
- To the naked eye, the micro-prints on real euros appear as a thin line; with the help of a magnifying glass, however, you can read them without problems. Micro-prints are often a continuous repetition of the value of the banknote.
- The counterfeit money has blurry micro-prints, illegible even when enlarged or missing entirely. A good magnifying glass is always a useful tool to have on hand when identifying counterfeit bills.
Step 6. Find out about the safety features activated by infrared and ultraviolet light
Looking at the euro against the light you can see many elements of security. However, when using an ultraviolet (UV) lamp or infrared technology you may notice some special features.
- Real euros don't shine in ultraviolet rays. Thanks to the fibers that are woven into the card, however, color changes are obtained that vary according to the cut. The new banknotes have 3 colors in these conditions.
- When the euros are exposed to infrared light, only the right end of the front side print remains visible, which also includes a small part of the architectural image and the hologram.
- With fake euros you notice a bright glow under UV light, the watermark appears clearly counterfeit and the security thread is a black line.
- Fake ticket text and images are usually completely visible or invisible under the action of infrared light.
