With literally just a few days to go before the first euro notes are withdrawn from local ATM machines, one of the main queries being directed at the National Euro Changeover Committee refers to the features have been incorporated into the euro notes so as to allow the general public to determine their authenticity.

The fact that over 55 security features are to be found in each euro note, should go a long way to putting one’s mind at rest. However, in reality, it is hardly practical to search for all security features when trying to verify a genuine note, particularly considering the likelihood that should such a necessity arises, a certain amount of awkwardness is bound to creep in to the situation!

Look, Feel, Tilt’

However, help is at hand in the form of the simple three-step Look, Feel, Tilt test. The feel of the note itself should be the first point of departure, as this is the first point of contact with the note in question and will also give the first indication whether the note is genuine or not.

A genuine euro note should be rather crispy to the touch and with a little more attention to detail, the intaglio (raised print) should can be felt quite easily on particular parts of the note, especially over the large numeric denomination and the main design feature found on the front of each note.

A small column can also be found near the large numeric denomination, which can be felt easily and when scratched delicately with a fingernail, can also be heard to make a ‘scratching’ noise. In this way, the tactile features of the notes also serve as an ideal way for the visually impaired to determine the authenticity of the note in hand.

The second step in the ‘quest’ to recognise a genuine note is holding the note against the light. There are three main security features that are easily perceived, which are:

1. The watermark, which is to be found on the ‘lighter-coloured’ column on the left hand side of the note when viewed from the front. The watermark should be a rather hazy replica of part of the main design and is always accompanied by the numeric value of the note.

2. The security strip: The security strip is a dark stripe towards the centre of the note and is particularly interesting in the way that it is actually embedded in the note itself. It also features the word ‘EURO’ and the relevant numeric denomination printed delicately inside the stripe itself. Although the print may initially be rather difficult to see, with the help of a bright light, it becomes visible to the naked eye.

3. The see-through register: This is a rather nifty security feature that is perhaps not the most well known, although it undoubtedly very useful. When holding the banknote against the light, the discontinued curves found towards the left hand side of the European Union flag will ‘merge’ with the corresponding curves placed strategically on the back of the note to form the numeric denomination of the note in hand. While this is an interesting trick the security aspect of this feature lies in the fact that the alignment of the joining curves should be absolutely perfect.

The third step in the process is to tilt the note so as to be able to see the images in the hologram, which is the silver column or box on the right hand side of the note, change from the e symbol to the numeric value of the note. The hologram on the higher value euro notes (e50, e100, e200, e500) also features the main design featured on the front of the note and is easily seen when tilted towards the light.

As the saying goes – “prevention is better than cure” and familiarity with the security features described above is recommended. However, there is no particular cause for alarm as the mechanisms in place to combat the proliferation of counterfeit notes is well established and working well.

Do not forget that any counterfeit notes you should always be handed over to the police or a bank so as to ensure that the necessary investigations are carried out in order to prevent the development of more sophisticated counterfeits. Further details and assistance can be obtained from the NECC’s website www.euro.gov.mt or by simply calling us on Linja Ewro 154.

Claire Azzopardi is Information Officer

National Euro

Changeover Committee