New 50-euro bill launch

The European Central Bank (ECB) is releasing a new 50-euro note on Tuesday that features a number of security measures designed to make it more difficult to counterfeit.

The new note, orange-brown in color, has raised print and a transparent window featuring a picture of "Europa," the Greek goddess from whom the continent takes its name, on a metallic strip. It also has a portrait watermark and security thread. The number on it is emerald-colored, but changes color when moved from side to side.

It also feels crisper and firmer than previous versions.

'Very innovative note'

"This is a very innovative note in terms of security," Bank of France official Gilles Vaysset said during a presentation of the note in Paris.

The Bank of France said that the euro was one of the least counterfeited currencies in the world.

The 5, 10 and 20-euro banknotes that have been issued in recent times already feature similar security measures.

The 50-euro note - which is currently the most-used banknote in the eurozone - is part of the new "Europa " series showcasing European architectural styles throughout history. It will be followed by new 100 and 200-euro banknotes, but not by a 500-euro one, as the ECB has decided to phase it out by the end of 2018 owing to its relatively frequent use for illegal purposes.

Central banks are hoping that the current rollout will run more smoothly than the introduction of the new 5-euro note in May 2013, where many users were initially frustrated because vending machines had not yet been converted to accept the notes.

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tj/rc (AP, AFP, dpa)