20 euro note

Twenty euro

(European Union)
Value	20 euro
Width	133 mm
Height	72 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
Material used	100% pure cotton fibre
Years of printing	2002–present
Obverse
Design	Window in Gothic architecture
Designer	Robert Kalina
Design date	3 December 1996
Reverse
Design	Bridge in Gothic architecture and map of Europe
Designer	Robert Kalina
Design date	3 December 1996

The twenty euro (€20) note is one of the middle value euro banknotes and has been used since the introduction of the euro (in its cash form) in 2002. The twenty euro note is the third smallest at 133 x 72mm with a blue colour scheme. 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). It is consequently used daily by some 332 million Europeans. The twenty euro banknote is used in the 23 countries which have it as their sole currency (with 20 legally adopting it) in Europe.

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. 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.

History

Main article: History of the euro

The euro was set up on 1 January 1999, when it became the currency of over 300 million people in Europe. For the first three years of its existence it was an invisible currency, only used in accountanc. 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.

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.

Design

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. 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). 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.

Like all euro notes, it contains the denomination, the EU flag, the signature of the president of the ECB 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.

Security features

The watermark on the 20 euro note

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.

Changes

There has so far only been one series of euro notes, however a new series similar to the current one is to be issued from 2011. The initial issue of notes bears the signature of the first 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.

Circulation

As of August 2011, there are approximately 2,732,667,900 €20 banknotes in circulation around the Eurozone 17. That is approximately €54,653,357,500 worth of €20 banknotes (as of August 2011). 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 euro area.