500 Euro Bill Still Legal Tender in Europe

The 500 euro bill is a fascinating topic, and one thing that's often misunderstood is its status in Europe. The 500 euro bill is still legal tender in Europe, despite some countries banning its use.

In fact, the European Central Bank still prints and distributes the 500 euro bill, and it's widely accepted across the continent.

Holding the €500 banknote against the light reveals a clever trick - the incomplete lines on the front and reverse side add up to the value numeral 500 in mirror writing, which is also visible in normal writing from the front side.

The colour of the 500 in the lower right corner on the reverse side changes from magenta to dark green depending on the viewing angle, not just an effect of brightness, but a real colour change.

The security thread in the middle third of the banknote shows 500 EURO in small letters and 500 in microletters, alternating in normal writing and mirror writing.

Holding a euro banknote up to the light can reveal some clever security features. The incomplete lines on the front and reverse side add up to the value numeral 500 in mirror writing.

You can see this effect from the front side in normal writing, which is a nice touch. The colour of the 500 in the lower right corner on the reverse side changes from magenta to dark green depending on the viewing angle.

This is not just an effect of brightness, but a real colour change, making it harder to counterfeit. The value numeral 500 in mirror writing in the watermark is brighter than the surrounding paper when held against the light.

However, there's no dark outline around the numeral, which is an interesting design choice. The security thread can be seen as a dark line in the middle third of the banknote.

In the security thread, you'll find 500 EURO in small letters and 500 in microletters, alternating in normal writing and mirror writing. This is a clever way to add an extra layer of security.

Using an IR display unit, you can even read the banknote number in the upper right part of the banknote. The rest of the motif nearly becomes invisible under this special light.

The paper itself is dull, but certain elements like the map and bridge glow green or yellow. Fibers embedded in the paper also glow in green, red, and blue, making them hard to miss.

At several places of the banknote motif, there is microlettering that looks pin sharp even under a magnifying glass.

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The 500-euro bill may be going out of circulation, but it's not going away completely. Notes still legal tender, meaning consumers can continue to use them for payments and savings.

The European Central Bank estimates that 500-euro bills in circulation comprise approximately 30% of the total value of euro bills on the market, with a value of €300 billion euros.

Consumers holding the currency need not panic, as the 500-euro bill will continue to be legal tender. This means they can still be used to pay for goods and services and they will also retain their value.

The 500-euro bill represented just over two percent of the region’s 521 million banknotes in circulation at the end of November, according to ECB statistics.

The Euro Bill Production process involves a series of complex steps to ensure the authenticity and security of the 500 euro bill.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is responsible for producing the 500 euro bill, with a team of experts working tirelessly to create each note.

A special paper called "Security Paper" is used to make the 500 euro bill, which is resistant to counterfeiting due to its unique texture and feel.

Each 500 euro bill features a portrait of Europa, a mythological figure from ancient Greek and Roman mythology, on the obverse side.

The 500 euro bill is printed in multiple colors, including green, blue, and orange, which are carefully selected to ensure the note's security and authenticity.

The ECB uses a combination of advanced printing techniques, including intaglio and offset printing, to create the intricate designs and security features on the 500 euro bill.

A hologram strip on the 500 euro bill changes from a Euro sign to a "€" symbol when tilted, providing an additional layer of security against counterfeiting.

The 500 euro bill is also equipped with a micro-optic strip that features a series of colors that change depending on the angle of view, making it nearly impossible to replicate.

The €500 bill is being phased out by the European Central Bank by the end of 2018. This decision aims to make life harder for criminals who use the large denomination note for nefarious activities.

The €500 note is especially handy for moving money illegally because it's a large denomination in a widely circulated currency. In the United States, the largest denomination is $100, after the Federal Reserve discontinued the $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills in 1969.

The €500 note is also more compact and convenient for evading authorities, weighing about five pounds and fitting in a small bag, according to a Harvard University study this year. Using $100 bills is just downright bulky, clocking in at roughly 22 pounds and requiring an entire briefcase to carry.

The European Central Bank estimates that 500 euro bills in circulation comprise approximately 30% of the total value of euro bills on the market, with a value of €300 billion euros. This means that the disappearance of 500 euro bills will not have a major impact on the daily lives of European citizens.

Authorities are starting to resist the use of cash, giving preference to other options like credit card or digital payments, which are more efficient, safer from theft, and more difficult to use in the informal economy.

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