The new series of 100-kroon banknotes will be launched from 10 January 2008.

The new banknotes have the same design as the previous series, which was issued in 1999. The new security elements on the banknote are the signature of Governor of Eesti Pank Andres Lipstok and the year of issue 2007. In addition, the UV-fluorescent rectangular, which used to be on the front of the note, has been moved to the back. Compared to the previous 100-kroon note, the new issue has a slightly wider security thread which appears blue when put under ultra-violet light.

Head of the Cash and Security Department of Eesti Pank Rait Roosve said the new banknotes were printed since the stock of 100-kroon notes had become insufficient because of the incompliance of a growing number of banknotes with quality requirements due to everyday wear and tear from handling. "By issuing new banknotes and replacing worn out cash, Eesti Pank ensures the good quality of the currency in circulation," said Roosve, adding that a 100-kroon banknote endures an average of 3 years in circulation.

"By now, necessary changes have been made in ATMs, thus there should be no problems in using the new-series notes. There has been a lot of cooperation between us and cash handlers in this respect," Roosve commented the usability of the new 100-kroon notes.

The new series of banknotes was printed by the company Gieseke & Devrient GmbH in Germany.

All the 100-kroon notes issued before the 2007 series, i.e. in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1999 will also remain legal tender.

The security elements of the new 100-kroon banknotes are more thoroughly described on Eesti Pank's web site.

Eesti Pank also intends to issue a new series of 25-kroon and 500-kroon notes with enhanced security features. This will take place in the first half of 2008. In January 2007, Eesti Pank renewed the stock of 2-kroon and 10-kroon notes.