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Integration of Payment Services in Europe and Consolidation<br />
of Cash Distribution Structures in Austria<br />
Verifying security<br />
features without<br />
special equipment<br />
feits. In this respect, the OeNB (and<br />
its subsidiaries) focus on<br />
— producing high-quality banknotes<br />
and coins (Oesterreichische<br />
Banknoten- und Sicherheitsdruck<br />
GmbH — OeBS; Mu‹nze O‹ sterreich<br />
Aktiengesellschaft);<br />
— continuallycheckingtheauthenticity<br />
of the banknotes and coins<br />
in circulation (GELDSERVICE<br />
AUSTRIA Logistik fu‹r Wertgestionierung<br />
und Transportkoordination<br />
G.m.b.H. — GSA); and<br />
— educating professional cash handlers<br />
(cashiers at banks and retailers;<br />
the police) and the general<br />
public about the euro.<br />
How to Check the Validity of Euro Banknotes<br />
Feel<br />
Run your finger over the front of the banknote and you<br />
will feel the print to be raised in some parts. As a result of<br />
intaglio printing methods, the initials of the European<br />
Central Bank, the value numerals and the motifs of windows<br />
and gateways will feel rough to the touch.<br />
Look<br />
Look at the banknote and hold it up to the light: the<br />
watermark, the security thread and the see-through register<br />
will then be visible. All three features can be seen from<br />
the front and the reverse side of genuine banknotes.<br />
Tilt<br />
Tilt EUR 5, EUR 10 and EUR 20 banknotes to see the<br />
moving image on the hologram stripe applied to the front<br />
of the banknote: the hologram image will change between<br />
the value and the € symbol. On the reverse side, if you tilt<br />
the banknote, you can see a glossy gold-colored stripe.<br />
Tilt EUR 50, EUR 100, EUR 200 and EUR 500 banknotes<br />
to see the moving image on the hologram patch applied to<br />
the front of the banknote: the hologram image will change<br />
between the value and a window or doorway. On the<br />
reverse side, if you tilt the banknote, you can see a colorshifting<br />
ink feature, i.e. the value numeral in the right-hand<br />
corner shifting color from purple to olive green or brown.<br />
The OeBS prints the share of euro<br />
banknotesallocatedtotheOeNBin<br />
close coordination with the ECB<br />
and the printing works of the other<br />
euro area countries. A top priority<br />
in producing euro banknotes has been<br />
the integration of security features<br />
anyone can check without special<br />
equipment. People run a lower risk<br />
of accepting counterfeit banknotes<br />
when they know what the genuine<br />
banknotes look like and when they<br />
take the time to verify a few security<br />
features. It pays to tilt the euro banknotes<br />
to check for moving images and<br />
color-shifting ink features, and to<br />
watch out for the unique feel of bank-<br />
56 ×<br />
<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2004</strong><br />
Box 5