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Greek goddess Europa adorns new five-euro note Greek goddess Europa adorns new five-euro note
(about 7 hours later)
The ancient Greek goddess Europa is featured on the new five-euro note, which the European Central Bank is poised to unveil. The ancient Greek goddess Europa features on a new five-euro note unveiled by the European Central Bank.
It is only the second series of euro banknotes since the single currency's launch on 1 January 1999. It appears as both a watermark and hologram on the note, which otherwise largely resembles its predecessor.
href="http://www.new-euro-banknotes.eu/Europa-Series/The-Myth-of-Europa" title="ECB information about new five-euro notes" >The "Europa" series notes will be phased in over several years, starting with the five-euro note in May. Other notes will likewise be reissued in what is only the second series of euro banknotes since the single currency's launch on 1 January 1999.
The notes will have new holograms and watermarks, but retain the arches, bridges and map featured currently. href="http://www.new-euro-banknotes.eu/Europa-Series/The-Myth-of-Europa" title="ECB information about new five-euro notes" >The new series will be phased in over several years with the five-euro note entering circulation in May.
The euro was formally launched on 1 January 1999 but did not enter circulation until 2002. Europa has featured on some euro coins before.
The goddess Europa has featured on some euro coins before. The new notes are appearing at a time of continued uncertainty about the 17-nation eurozone's stability. Last year there was intense speculation that struggling Greece might have to exit the eurozone, so some may see it as ironic that a Greek goddess is now the face of the euro.
The new notes are appearing at a time of continued uncertainty about the 17-nation eurozone's stability. Last year there was intense speculation that struggling Greece might have to exit the eurozone, so some might see it as ironic that a Greek goddess is now the face of the euro. In order to use up remaining stocks in many eurozone countries, the original five-euro notes will be issued for several months alongside the new ones. The two series will circulate in parallel as legal tender.
The ECB says that to use up remaining stocks in many eurozone countries, the first series five-euro notes will be issued for several months alongside the new ones. The two series will circulate in parallel as legal tender.
The ECB has not yet set a termination date for the first series as legal tender, and says the deadline will be announced well in advance.The ECB has not yet set a termination date for the first series as legal tender, and says the deadline will be announced well in advance.
In Greek mythology, Europa was a noble Phoenician woman whose beauty inspired the god Zeus to seduce her. He appeared to her as a white bull and carried her away to Crete. Later she bore Zeus three sons, one of whom, Minos, became ruler of Crete.In Greek mythology, Europa was a noble Phoenician woman whose beauty inspired the god Zeus to seduce her. He appeared to her as a white bull and carried her away to Crete. Later she bore Zeus three sons, one of whom, Minos, became ruler of Crete.
The image used on the five-euro note comes from a vase in the Louvre Museum in Paris. The vase is more than 2,000 years old and was found in southern Italy.The image used on the five-euro note comes from a vase in the Louvre Museum in Paris. The vase is more than 2,000 years old and was found in southern Italy.