Banknote Billet Brazil 20 reais 2010

The 20 reais banknote issued by Brazil in 2010 is part of the C2 series of the Brazilian national currency, the real. This denomination is distinguished by the representation of the golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia), a small primate endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, whose image occupies a central place in the graphic design of the note.

The obverse of the banknote features the portrait of the Effigy of the Republic, a feminine allegorical figure characteristic of modern Brazilian issues, accompanied by the indication of the face value and the security features typical of contemporary banknotes. The reverse is dominated by the illustration of the golden lion tamarin, an emblematic species of Brazil's biodiversity conservation efforts. The colour palette of the note is mainly composed of golden and orange hues, in keeping with the characteristic colour of this animal's coat.

The banknote incorporates several security features typical of Banco Central do Brasil issues of this period, including watermarks, optically variable ink effects, microprinting and security threads embedded in the substrate. These devices are designed to prevent counterfeiting and to guarantee the authenticity of the note in circulation.

This banknote has a weight of 1 gram, which corresponds to the usual standards of modern banknotes made from cotton fibres. The face value of 20 reais makes it an intermediate denomination in the range of Brazilian banknotes in circulation at that time. The golden lion tamarin depicted on this note is also a powerful symbol of environmental awareness, as this species has been at the heart of international reintroduction programmes in its natural habitat.