Money ECB touts security of new 50-euro notes

FRANKFURT:  

The European Central Bank (ECB) on Tuesday unveiled a new 50-euro banknote, saying the bills would help battle fraud and demonstrate its commitment to cash.

“State-of-the-art security features help protect our money,” ECB executive board member Yves Mersch said in a statement.

The new-look 50-euro note boasts a transparent window with a holographic portrait of the Greek mythological figure Europa and a so-called “emerald number” that changes colour from green to blue when viewed at different angles. Complex visual features like these are supposed to make identifying counterfeit bills quicker and easier.

The 50-euro bill is the most widely used, accounting for around 45% of the total number of euro banknotes in existence. Consumers will not be able to get their hands on them until April 2017, as many cash and vending machines need software updates before they can recognise the new versions.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2016.

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