|
Bank Notes and Coins
Security
The artwork, colorful ink, materials and shapes of the euro notes
and coins are more than just aesthetic; they represent important security
features. Each component makes the notes and coins easier to recognize
and harder to counterfeit.
Notes
- Raised print produced with a special printing process (intaglio) gives
the notes a unique feel and aids the visually impaired.
- A watermark, security thread and see-through register become visible
from the front and reverse side when a note is held up to the light.
- Hologram images on the front of the notes shift as the notes are tilted.
Low-value banknotes have a foil stripe with the hologram and high-value
notes feature a foil patch.
- An iridescent stripe on the reverse side of low-value notes and color-shifting
ink on high-value notes are another security feature.
 
Coins
- The 1 and 2 euro coins are produced with sophisticated bi-metal technology
that make them difficult to counterfeit. 1 euro coins have a yellow
outer ring of nickel brass and a white three-layered core of copper-nickel,
nickel and copper-nickel. 2 euro coins have a white outer ring of copper-nickel
and a yellow inner ring of nickel brass, nickel and nickel brass.
- Milled edges, such as the lettering around 2 euro coins, and varying
thickness make the coins easier to recognize by touch, a benefit for
the visually impaired.
Design
Banknotes
A design competition launched in 1996 asked banknote designers nominated
by each of the national central banks of the EU to sketch a series
of seven banknotes using either the theme "Ages and styles of
Europe" or an abstract/modern theme, or both.
The best designs in each theme category were selected by an expert
panel and then tested in a public survey throughout the European Union.
The "Ages and styles of Europe" theme won out, and the design
of the Austrian National Bank's Robert Kalina was selected.
Symbolism
The winning design uses images of windows, gateways and bridges to
depict the architectural styles of seven periods in Europe's cultural
history - Classical, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and
Rococo, the age of iron and glass architecture, and the 20th century.
Each note also features the 12 stars of the European Union.
Each of the images has symbolic meaning.
· Windows and gateways - Depicted on the front of each note
symbolize the spirit of openness and cooperation.
· 12 stars - Represent the dynamism and harmony of contemporary
Europe.
· Bridges - on the reverse of each note serve as a metaphor
for communication among the people of Europe and between Europe and
the rest of the world.
Clarity
Color is an important part of the design of each note.
€5 - grey
€10 - red
€20 - blue
€50 - orange
€100 - green
€200 - yellow
€500 . purple
The denominations also vary by size - the higher the value, the
larger the banknote.
The color and size variations, as well as the large numerals, are
particularly helpful to people with visual impairment, whose needs
were taken into consideration through consultations with the European
Blind Union.
Coins
Unlike the banknotes, the euro coins feature designs on one side that
vary by country. The side displaying the denomination in large print
is common to all countries.
The design for the common side of the eight euro coins was chosen
in 1997 from entries from each of the EU member nations. The Royal
Belgian Mint's Luc Luycx produced the winning design, which reflects
the unity of the European Union. The common side of each coin features
the 12 stars of the European Union and a depiction of the European
countries or of Europe and neighboring continents. Each country selected
well-known national symbols for designs on the other side. Germany,
for example, is using the oak leaf, the symbol depicted on the German
pfennig, for the 1-cent, 2-cent and 5-cent euro
coin. The Brandenburg Gate adorns the 10-cent, 20-cent and 50-cent
pieces. The Bundesadler, the eagle, is featured on the 1 euro and
2 euro.
Despite the variations in design on one side, every euro coin will
be valid in every country and accepted by vending machines as well.
Euro Symbol €
The graphic symbol for the euro € was inspired by the Greek letter
epsilon and refers to the first letter in the word "Europe."
The parallel lines represent stability. The official abbreviation
for euro is EUR.
|
Printer-Friendly
Page
Email This Article
