ECB launches 20-euro note with enhanced security

The European Central Bank on Wednesday will launch into circulation a new 20-euro banknote with enhanced security features to foil counterfeiters.

A new "portrait window" near the top of the hologram stripe becomes transparent when seen against the light and reveals a portrait of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology.

"Cash was, is and will continue to be an important means of payment. The introduction of the new 20-euro banknote is tangible proof of this," said ECB Executive Board member Yves Mersch at the ECB's headquarters in Frankfurt on Tuesday.

The new notes, 4.3 billion of which have been produced so far, will gradually replace the 20-euro banknotes of the first series, which will however remain legal tender.

Like the newer five- and 10-euro bills, the new 20-euro banknote has an emerald-coloured number that changes hue from green to blue depending on the angle it is viewed from.

The ECB launched the five-euro note in May 2013 and the 10-euro note in September 2014. The new 50-euro bill is set to go into circulation in the second quarter of 2017, reported the Bank of France in a separate press conference.