The initial issue of notes bears the signature of the president of the European Central Bank, Wim Duisenberg, who was replaced on 1 November 2003 by Jean-Claude Trichet, whose signature appears on subsequent issues.

Front: Windows and gateways symbolize the spirit of openness and cooperation in the European Union.

Back: Bridges symbolize communication among the people Designed by Robert Kalina, show generic architectures typical of the different European artistic periods: 20 euro Gothic Every banknote has a serial number consisting of 1 letter prefix and 11 numbers.

The letter determines the country of origin:

N Austria Z Belgium G Cyprus D Estonia L Finland U France X Germany Y Greece T Ireland S Italy R Luxembourg* F Malta P Netherlands M Portugal E Slovakia H Slovenia V Spain W Denmark* K Sweden* J United Kingdom* * W, K and J have been reserved for EU members currently not participating in the euro. R reserved for Luxembourg which curent uses stockprinted originaly for other countries.