The last series of previous escudo banknotes, known as “Discoveries”, can be exchanged until February 2022, either by mail or in person, for euros, announced the Banco de Portugal (BdP), this Monday. There are still 11 million notes to be exchanged, equivalent to a total of 95 million euros.

“[…] February 28, 2022 is the last day on which these banknotes can be exchanged, for the equivalent value in euros, at Banco de Portugal and there are still around 11 million banknotes, worth 95 million euros, subject to conditions,” stated the BoP in a newsletter.

The exchange of intact, damaged or mutilated banknotes can be made at the BdP treasury or through a registered value. In the second case, it must not be enclosed in an envelope, together with the owner’s identification details, which, in turn, will have to be placed inside another envelope sent to the financial supervisor’s issuing and treasury department.

In case the notes are erased or damaged, the owner must present at least one fragment with 75% of the note or a set of fragments that, by juxtaposition, make up that same percentage.

According to the BdP bulletin, “on February 28, 2002, the date on which the selection could be used in payments, 15.1 million banknotes of this series were held by the public, with only 24% and 40%, respectively. , of that amount and value returned to Banco de Portugal by the end of October 2021”.