15 Things About Euro Currency

This 15 things about euro currency is based on "10 Things You Didn't Know About the Euro" By Jessica Rettig. In my opinion, there is other thing that most people don't know about Euro that should be on that list.

Photo by Wikimedia commons: Euro symbol

1. The idea for establishing a single currency in Europe was approved upon the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, formally titled the Treaty on European Union, on Feb. 7, 1992.

2. The euro was launched in 11 countries as a virtual currency—used only for non-cash and electronic transactions—on Jan. 1, 1999.

3. Euro banknotes and coins, for public use, weren't introduced until Jan. 1, 2002.

4. The European Central Bank is authorized to issue euro banknotes and coins. Each country's national central bank is responsible for producing and circulating them.

5. There are seven different banknotes. They come in 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, 100-, 200- and 500-euro denominations. There are eight different denominations of coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 euro and 2 euros.

6. Unlike euro coins, the design of euro Banknotes is identical across the whole of the eurozone, although they are printed in various member states.

7. The euro symbol was based on the Greek epsilon character, representing "E" for Europe. The two parallel lines through the center signify stability.

8. Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom are EU Member States but do not currently use the single European currency.

9. The common sides of the coins were designed by Mr Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint. They show images of the European Union or of Europe and symbolise the unity of the EU.

10. The euro banknote designs were chosen from 44 proposals in a design competition, launched by The Council of the European Monetary Institute (EMI) on 12 February 1996. The winning entry, created by Robert Kalina from the Oesterreichische Nationalbank(Austrian National bank), was selected on 3 December 1996.

11. Currently, 16 Member States of the European Union use the euro as their currency. There are also coins for San Marino, Monaco and Vatican city though these coins are in very small quantity based on their population.

12. Once a year, each country in the euro area may issue a €2 commemorative coin. These coins have the same features and properties and the same common side as normal €2 coins. What makes them different is their commemorative design on the national side. Only the €2 denomination can be used for commemorative coins.

13. In the map of Europe on the reverse side of every banknote, Cyprus and Malta are not shown on the map.

14. Every banknote have its own relevant architectural styles, merely designed to evoke the landmarks within the EU, representing various European ages and styles. The €5 banknote has a generic rendition of the Classical Period, the €10 of Romanesque, the €20 of Gothic, the €50 of the Renaissance, the €100 of Baroque and Rococo, €200 of Art Nouveau and the €500 of Modern style.

15. To date, 16 EU member countries, and approximately 329 million people, use the euro. Nine EU member countries have not yet met the requirements for its adoption.

Source: US News, fleur-de-coin.com, European Central Bank, Euro information website, Wikipedia.

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