Let me introduce myself briefly.
My name is Jordi and I am a taxi driver in Barcelona. I heard about EBT once on the radio, I looked after it, and since I registered none of a banknote that has been in my hands has missed its corresponding log.
A colleague mentioned a thread on stamped notes, and here I am.
I would like to END DEFINITIVELY (and I am emphasizing, not shouting) with the legend that stamped banknotes are retierd from circulation .
http://www.ecb.int/ecb/legal/pdf/l_2672 ... 010020.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This is ECB website and describes suitable and unsuitable banknotes accordin to their shape, dirtyness and "graffiti" (funny name). They call it "Επιζωγραφισμένο" (χαρτονόμησμα) in greek and "inscripciones" in spanish.
Whoever whises to read it in any other language can simply switch the pair of letters in between the numbrs by the wanted language code:
es for spanish, el for greek, fr for french, etc.
On page 11, table 1 it describes what is considered "graffiti" or "stain" and on page 12, points 2 & 3, how much of it is suitable for circulating notes.
About graffiti, it states very clearly that
"At present there is no mandatory requirement to detect graffiti".
Then: is it recommendable to stamp banknotes or not?
My humble opinion says YES. Off course, not any kind of mark or stamp. The "stain" descrition says that bills bearing a stain larger than 9x9 mm on non printed area or 15x15 on printed areas make them unsuitable. I'm sorry for "ricccc", but his BIDI has two major problems: it is too big for a non printed area, and it is on the watermark, wich is one of the safety features.
A banknote has a cost. A fiver costs 30 cts and it will not be retired if it is in good condition. Graffited bills are not eligible for destruction, and graffiting old ones just because "they will be destroyed in any case" is a loss of time. Their lifespan is shorter, but not because of any stamp: simply because they are old...
For "kevinmichiels" I'd say I got a stamp with the legend http://www.eurobilltracker.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; http://www.wheresgeorge.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for free with a vistaprint professional cards order.
BUT:
I DO NOT use it on the watermark or on any of the safety features, like coincident printings, microletterings, EURION constellation (see wikipedia) or sensible areas. You can tell me that Europe map is printed with UV-ink visible under black light, but it is a uniform printing that gets not covered or de-inked.
It looks like this:
- EBT-5.jpg (38.49 KiB) Viewed 5001 times
- EBT-100.jpg (109.97 KiB) Viewed 5001 times
One last thing:
Humbly again, my advice is to upload pictues to EBT. It is easy to do using the "Upload attached file" link right below the writing case, next to the "Options" one, that appears when you "Answer" in the forum. External servers not always accept hotlinking and personal fils disappear whe one changes operator. On EBT server they are permanently there, regardless of personal adresses. And to any picture, if you have the opportunity, resample it to 850 pixels width so it fits in the column. And also, if you click on an uploaded picture, it appears whole on screen.
Sorry if I wrote too much.
Jordi.
That "defective" one is truly remarkable. 
. Printing condition. Uncirculated. Ink-smelling.
