5 euro note less than a year before it is replaced due to wear. Measuring 120 x 62mm, it is the smallest of the euro notes, and has a grey colour scheme. The five euro banknotes depict bridges and arches/doorways in Classical architecture (up to the fifth century). The five euro note contains several complex security features such as watermarks, invisible ink, holograms and microprinting that document its authenticity. On 8 November 2012, the European Central Bank announced the first series of notes will be replaced by the Europa series, starting with the 5 euro note on 2 May 2013. The euro was
Euro banknotes a common theme of European architecture in various artistic eras. The obverse of the banknote features windows or gateways while the reverse bears different types of bridges. The architectural examples are stylised illustrations, not representations of existing monuments. All the notes of the initial series of euro notes bear the European flag, a map of the continent on the reverse, the name "euro" in both Latin and Greek script (EURO / ΕΥΡΩ) and the signature of a president of the ECB, depending on when the banknote was printed. The 12 stars from the flag are also incorporated into every note.