Euro banknotes and coins

The introduction of the second series of euro banknotes, called the “Europa” series, started with the €5 banknote in 2013, continued with the €10 banknote in 2014, the €20 banknote in 2015, the €50 banknote in 2017, and was completed in 2019 with the €100 and €200 banknotes.

The ECB has decided to stop producing the €500 banknote, although the first series €500 remains legal tender.

The banknotes of the two series will continue to circulate in parallel as legal tender. The date when the first series of euro banknotes ceases to be legal tender will be announced well in advance. However, the banknotes of the first series will always retain their value and they can be exchanged for an unlimited period of time at the Eurosystem National Central Banks.

The ECB website for the euro banknotes, with special emphasis on “Europa” series and its security features, provides additional information regarding the new banknotes and their security features, together with audiovisual material regarding their production process. This material can be used for publication, under the condition that the rules governing the reproduction of euro banknotes, will be strictly obeyed.

The second series euro banknotes have the same basic color and theme per denomination as those of the first series “Ages and Styles of Europe”, with minor modifications in order to accommodate the enhanced security features and to make it easier to differentiate between the two series.

Moreover, the new design includes the consecutive enlargements of the EU from 2002 onwards.

The redesign of the euro banknotes was assigned to Reinhold Gerstetter, an independent banknote designer based in Berlin.

On the new banknotes appear:

• The symbol of the European Union (flag with 12 stars),
• The name of the currency in the Latin, Greek (EYPΩ) and Cyrillic alphabet,
• The revised map of Europe that includes Cyprus and Malta,
• The symbol © indicating copyright protection for ECB,
• The signature of the President of the ECB,
• The initials of the European Central Bank in nine linguistic variants for the new €5, €10 and €20 banknotes and in ten linguistic variants for the new €50, €100 and €200 banknotes:

Special features have been incorporated in order to facilitate blind and partially sighted persons.

One euro is divided in 100 cents. There are eight euro coin denominations:

1 cent	Diameter (mm): 16,25 Thickness (mm.): 1,67 Weight (g): 2,30 Shape: round Color: copper Composition: Copper-covered steel Edge: smooth
2 cent	Diameter (mm): 18,75 Thickness (mm.): 1,67 Weight (g): 3,06 Shape: round Color: copper Composition: Copper-covered steel Edge: Smooth with a groove
5 cent	Diameter (mm): 21,25 Thickness (mm.): 1,67 Weight (g): 3,92 Shape: round Color: copper Composition: Copper-covered steel Edge: smooth
10 cent	Diameter (mm): 19,75 Thickness (mm.): 1,93 Weight (g): 4,10 Shape: round Color: gold Composition: Nordic gold Edge: Shaped edge with fine scallops
20 cent	Diameter (mm): 22,25 Thickness (mm.): 2,14 Weight (g): 5,74 Shape: Spanish flower shape Color: gold Composition: Nordic gold Edge: plain
50 cent	Diameter (mm): 24,25 Thickness (mm.): 2,38 Weight (g): 7,80 Shape: round Color: gold Composition: Nordic gold Edge: Shaped edge with fine scallops
1 euro	Diameter (mm): 23,25 Thickness (mm.): 2,33 Weight (g): 7,50 Shape: round Color: Outer part: gold; inner part: silver Composition: Outer part: nickel brass; inner part: three layers: copper-nickel, nickel, copper-nickel Edge: Interrupted milled
2 euro	Diameter (mm): 25,75 Thickness (mm.): 2,20 Weight (g): 8,50 Shape: round Color: Outer part: Silver; inner part: gold Composition: Outer part: copper-nickel; inner part: three layers: nickel brass, nickel, nickel brass Edge: Edge lettering, fine milled

The designs for the national side of Greek coins were selected in May 2000 by the Minister of National Economy and the Governor of the Bank of Greece, from a set of proposals presented by a Special Advisory Committee and the Monetary Policy Council.

The national sides of the 8 Greek coins were created by Georgios Stamatopoulos, sculptor of the Bank of Greece Printing Works (IETA).

For the design of the common side of euro coins a competition was launched at European level. The winning series were designed by Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint.

After the EU enlargement of May 1, 2004 with 10 new member states, it was deemed necessary to change the common sides of the 10-, 20- and 50-cent and €1 and €2 coins, in order to represent the new composition of the EU. The related decision was taken by the European Council on 7 June 2005.

Member states have been issuing coins with the new common sides, gradually from 2007 onwards. The new member states that adopted the euro from 2007 onwards (Slovakia, Cyprus, Malta and Slovenia) minted coins with the new common sides. 1-, 2- and 5-cent coins show the denomination, the inscription “EURO CENT”, six lines and twelve stars near the edge of the lines. The middle part of the lines shows Europe in relief in relation to Africa and Asia on a globe.

10-, 20- and 50-cent coins show the denomination, the inscription “EURO CENT”, six vertical straight lines and twelve stars near the edge of each line. The upper middle part of the lines shows either the European Union with the 15 Member States before the enlargement of 1 May 2004 or a geographical image of Europe as of 1 January 2007.

€1 and €2 coins show the denomination, the inscription “EURO”, six vertical lines and twelve stars near the edge of each line. The right part shows either the European Union before the enlargement of 1 May 2004 or a geographical image of Europe as of 1 January 2007.

Exchange of euro coins for banknotes can be made at the Athens Cash Processing and Distribution Centre (341 Mesogion Ave., Halandri) after making an appointment by calling 210 6709 329, -136, as long as the coins are packed according to Circular 411/15.1.2002 and 463/16.9.2009 as follows:

Quantities of coin rolls larger than five (5) per denomination and in multiples of five (5) are distributed at the Athens Cash Processing and Distribution Centre (341 Mesogion Ave., Halandri), after making an appointment with the Coin Purchase and Sale Service by calling 210 6709 329, -136. 

For transactions involving an amount up to EUR 1,000, customers will be required to show their ID or passport.

For transactions involving an amount of over EUR 1,000, whether carried out in a single or several operations, proof of tax identification number shall be required (e.g. Income Tax Return Clearance or recent utility bill).

For transactions in excess of EUR 15,000, whether carried out in a single or several operations, the following shall also be required:

- the latest Income Tax Return Clearance;

- proof of residence (recent utility bill or valid lease agreement certified by a Tax Office – D.O.Y.);

- proof of employment and work address (any one of the following: statement from current employer, latest pay slip, professional registration card or social security document);

- valid residence permit (for non-EU citizens); and

- phone number.

Only original documents will be accepted, as required under the legal framework for the prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing.

As a rule, euro countries may each issue only two €2 commemorative coins per year. Exceptionally, they are allowed to issue a third, provided that it is one issued jointly with the other member states and that it commemorates events of Europe-wide importance. All commemorative euro coins, exclusively of 2€ nominal value, are part of the euro coins intended for circulation and are considered legal tender throughout the euro area. That means they can be used – and must be accepted – just like any other euro coin.

The very first €2 commemorative coin was issued by Greece to commemorate the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004.

All countries of the euro area have jointly issued four commemorative coins with one common design on the national side:

1. In March 2017 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. The selection of the designed was organized by the national mints.
2. In January 2019 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Economic and Monetary Union. The winning design, selected by the public via an online vote, was created by Mr. Georgios Stamatopoulos, sculptor at the Bank of Greece.
3. In January 2012 to commemorate ten years of euro banknotes and coins. The winning design, selected by the public via an online vote, was created by Helmut Alexander, from the Mint of Austria.
4. In August 2015, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the EU flag. The winning design, selected by the public via an online vote, was created by Mr. Georgios Stamatopoulos, sculptor at the Bank of Greece.

By decision of the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Bank of Greece is authorised to sell, via its Head Office and Branches, collector coins and coin series issued following a joint decision of the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Governor of the Bank of Greece.

A) For email ordering of commemorative/collector coins, the procedure to be followed is described below:

1. Application submission:

• The interested collectors (residing in Greece or abroad) shall fill out a Pre-Registration Form and email it to: Serv.NumProdRetailDi@bankofgreece.gr and the merchants/traders (residing in Greece or abroad) to: serv.NumProdWholDist@bankofgreece.gr.
• Upon receiving the form and provided that the coins requested are in stock, the competent Unit of the Bank of Greece shall enter the details of the order into its pre-registration/order database and return the Pre-Registration Form to the applicant with the reference number of pre-registration/order corresponding to the specific order as well as with the total amount payable. In case of non-availability of any of the coins requested, the applicant shall be informed to this effect.
• The order is finalised after the applicant prepays the full amount of the order, within a deadline of three working days (i.e. the day of the order and the following two). Otherwise, the order shall be cancelled.

2. Payment of the total amount due (for order finalisation):

The payment of the total amount due can be made as follows:

• By money transfer, via a credit institution (in Greece or abroad), to the Bank of Greece account No. GR4101004860000000059134368 – SALE OF COMMEMORATIVE COINS – BIC: BNGRGRAA. In this case, the applicant must request the credit institution to mention the reference number and date of pre-registration as well as his/her full name in Field 70 of the money transfer order. It is noted that this information is absolutely necessary for the Bank of Greece to match the money transfer to the corresponding application and finalise the relevant pre-registration.
• At the counters of one of the Branches of the Bank of Greece (here), where the applicant or a person authorised to act on his/her behalf can, upon presentation of valid identification (ID or passport), pay the amount quoted in the Pre-Registration Form.

3. Dispatch of commemorative/collector coins to recipients:

• Orders submitted by recipients residing within or outside Greece shall be carried out exclusively via a courier company authorised by the customer.
• It is noted that granted applications through e-mail orders cannot be picked up at the Head Office of the Bank of Greece. As long as quantity limitations apply, multiple applications with the same recipient shall not be accepted.
• In case that an e-mail order applicant for a numismatic product is found to have already purchased the same product from the Head Office or any Branch of the Bank of Greece, the e-mail order shall automatically be cancelled and any such fee deposited shall be refunded to the applicant, reduced by the money transfer fees. The above-mentioned action shall be taken only when quantity limitations apply.
• Sales of commemorative/collector coin series/coins to taxable persons established in another EU Member State shall be exempt from VAT, in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 of the VAT Code. Such exemption is subject, on the one hand, to VAT validation through the VIES system and, on the other, to proof of dispatch of the goods to the purchaser’s Member State of establishment.

B) The sale of commemorative/collector coins at the Head Office (12-14 Stadiou Street, Athens) is carried out exclusively following a telephone appointment by calling at +30 210 320 3517, 210 320 2801, 210 320 2758, 210 320 2776 and 210 320 2777. Only in case of issue of new commemorative or collector coins shall the sale be carried out by priority order (for the first two days of sale).

4. For transactions exceeding €500, when collector coins are sold, the price, if paid at the counter of the Head Office or Branches, shall be paid by instant credit transfer or by card (POS) or by bank cheque to the customer's order.

The Renaissance began earlier in Byzantium than it did in the West, with Constantinople and Mystras as its main centres, but came to a halt when the Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottomans in 1453. Thus, the Greek world was cut off from the Renaissance of Western Europe, with the exception of certain non-Ottoman occupied regions, such as the Venetian-ruled Ionian Islands and Crete. Crete, in particular, experienced a fruitful fusion of Byzantine and western European culture in the areas of poetry, drama, architecture and painting. The most emblematic artist to emerge from the Cretan Renaissance was Domenikos Theotokopoulos (“El Greco”, 1541-1614): after mastering both the maniera greca and the maniera latina in his native Candia (present-day Heraklion), Theotokopoulos perfected his technique in Venice and Rome, where he studied the masterpieces of Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. He ultimately moved to Toledo, where he painted his mature works, which never fail to amaze and inspire with their intense spirituality, mystical vision and expressionistic approach.

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The Baroque & Rococo period, which was marked in Europe by the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, found Greece under Ottoman rule and thus effectively cut off from the artistic and intellectual trends in the rest of Europe. However, the non-Ottoman occupied regions (such as the Venetian-ruled Ionian Islands), but also the Greek communities in major European cities, were in contact with Europe’s cultural developments and became centres of Modern Greek Enlightenment. The most emblematic figure of this movement was Adamantios Korais (1748-1833), born into a merchant family in Smyrna. After studying in Amsterdam and Montpellier, he settled in Paris and played a key role in spreading the ideas of the Enlightenment to the Greek people. He edited and published works of ancient Greek authors and wrote scientific, literary, theological and political treatises. Many of his views were pivotal in shaping the identity and ideology of the newly-established Greek State. His portrait features on the coin, surrounded by ornamental motifs from iconostases of Ionian Island churches.

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The Age of Iron and Glass in Greece coincides with the first decades of state-building after Greece’s independence in 1830. An iconic literary figure of the time was Greece’s national poet, Dionysios Solomos (1798-1857), whose work immortalised the Greek nation’s struggle for liberty. The late 19th century was marked by the first major engineering projects in Greece, including, most prominently, the opening of the Corinth Canal, inaugurated in 1893, and the construction of the iron bridge spanning it and connecting the Peloponnese with the Greek mainland, both remarkable feats of engineering in their day. Another landmark event was the revival of the Olympic Games and the holding of the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896, symbolised by the Bréal cup awarded to the Greek Spyros Louis, winner of the marathon race.

2017 saw the participation of nine countries: France, Spain, Italy, Finland, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Malta and Greece, with Greece participating for the first time. Other mints from the euro area were welcome to join the programme every year.

The reverse of the coin features the name of the issuing country and the national emblem or some other indication of national identity, against a common background for all countries. The design on the obverse, which was left to the issuing country to choose, combines a portrait, a building and an object from the respective period. The technical specifications of the coin (silver fineness, weight, diameter, etc.) could also be chosen by the issuing country.

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