Windows Phone Thoughts: Euro Validator

When the euro was introduced, new banknotes had to be designed. Since nobody at first knew what the new money looked like, people were a bit afraid of counterfeiters taking advantage of that. Of course several measures were taken and advertised which should allow the public to use the Feel-Look-Tilt method to recognise genuine banknotes. You can find a complete range of the security measures on the pages of the European Central Bank (ECB). Still, when the first counterfeit banknotes in bigger numbers were discovered this led to some discussion, among others in the European Parliament in March 2003. Also, the biannual information on the counterfeiting of the Euro by the ECB shows that counterfeiting is real, although according to the ECB not yet really disturbing: there are around 9 billion (genuine) euro banknotes in circulation, and in the second half of 2003 311,925 counterfeit euro banknotes were removed from circulation, and in the first half of 2004 307,223. The ECB tells the public the chances of receiving counterfeit banknotes are not very high, but that they should always to be alert to the possibility.

And now, your Pocket PC can help you to be that alert. Eltar2000 has created a Euro Validator, which can show important information about the banknotes, check their serial number, check the printer code number, and convert the value between Euro and old European currencies. The application can be had for $9.95 at Handango [affiliate].