The design of the euro banknotes is more than just aesthetically pleasing; it’s a carefully crafted visual language that speaks to European unity, history, and security. Building upon the “ages and styles” theme of the first series, the Europa series banknotes have evolved to incorporate enhanced security features while maintaining a recognizable visual identity. These design elements act as crucial “signs” for the euro currency, helping to distinguish it globally and foster trust.
Reinhold Gerstetter, an independent banknote designer from Berlin, was entrusted with the task of refreshing the banknotes’ design. His work ensured that the new series retained the spirit of the original while adapting to modern needs.
Architectural Motifs: Visual Signs of European Heritage and Openness
Windows and doorways grace the front of both the original and Europa series euro banknotes. These architectural elements are not merely decorative; they serve as powerful symbols of the European spirit of openness and cooperation. They visually represent the EU’s commitment to transparency and accessibility.
On the reverse side, bridges take center stage. These are symbolic representations of communication, not just within Europe, but also between Europe and the wider world. Bridges as a design element visually signify connection, collaboration, and the euro’s role in facilitating international exchange.
Like their predecessors, the Europa series banknotes showcase architectural styles spanning various periods in European history. Crucially, these are stylized representations and not depictions of actual monuments or bridges. This deliberate choice ensures the banknotes are pan-European and avoid favoring any specific national landmark. The architectural styles represented are:
- €5: Classical
- €10: Romanesque
- €20: Gothic
- €50: Renaissance
- €100: Baroque and rococo
- €200: 19th-century iron and glass architecture
Each style acts as a subtle visual sign, hinting at the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Europe that underpins the euro currency.
The Map of Europe: A Geographical Sign of the Eurozone
A geographical map of Europe is prominently featured on the back of both series of euro banknotes. This map serves as a clear visual sign of the euro’s geographical reach. The Europa series map has been updated to include Malta and Cyprus, reflecting the expansion of the Eurozone.
Furthermore, small boxes near the banknote’s bottom depict the Canary Islands and certain French overseas territories where the euro is also legal tender. The inclusion of these territories reinforces the global presence of the euro. Notably, very small islands are intentionally omitted due to limitations in high-volume offset printing, maintaining clarity and avoiding visual clutter.
Colors, Currency Names, and Initials: Unmistakable Signs of Euro Identity
Color plays a vital role in the visual identification of each euro banknote denomination. The Europa series maintains the color scheme of the first series: €5 (grey), €10 (red), €20 (blue), €50 (orange), €100 (green), and €200 (yellow-brown). These distinct colors act as immediate visual cues for users, facilitating quick recognition and differentiation.
Beyond color, the name of the currency itself is presented as a multilingual sign of European unity. “Euro” is displayed in the Latin (EURO) and Greek (EYPΩ) alphabets on the first series. The Europa series expands this to include the Cyrillic alphabet (EBPO) to acknowledge Bulgaria’s EU membership. This trilingual representation is a powerful visual sign of inclusivity and the diverse linguistic landscape of the European Union.
The initials of the European Central Bank (ECB) also appear on the banknotes in multiple linguistic variants. For the new €5, €10, and €20 banknotes, nine variants are used, and for the €50, €100, and €200 banknotes, ten variants are present, reflecting Croatia’s 2013 EU accession. These abbreviations, ordered according to EU protocol for countries and official languages, further reinforce the euro’s institutional backing. Examples include:
- BCE (French, Irish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish)
- ECB (Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Latvian, Lithuanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Swedish)
- ЕЦБ (Bulgarian)
- EZB (German)
- EKP (Estonian, Finnish)
- EKT (Greek)
- ESB (Croatian)
- EKB (Hungarian)
- BĊE (Maltese)
- EBC (Polish)
Finally, the copyright symbol (©) and the EU flag are included as additional, albeit smaller, visual signs of legal protection and European affiliation.
Signatures: Signs of Authority and Legitimacy
Each euro banknote carries the signature of one of the Presidents of the European Central Bank. Currently, banknotes may bear the signature of Willem F. Duisenberg, Jean-Claude Trichet, Mario Draghi, or Christine Lagarde – the first, second, third, and fourth presidents respectively. These signatures act as signs of authority and legitimacy, assuring users of the banknotes’ official status, regardless of which signature is present.
Serial Numbers and Country Codes: Technical Signs of Origin and Traceability
The serial numbers on the Europa series banknotes, consisting of a horizontal black number and a vertical colored number on the back, serve as technical signs for tracking and security. The horizontal number begins with two letters and ten digits. The first letter indicates the printing works, providing a traceable sign of origin. The second letter has no specific meaning but expands the range of possible serial numbers.
Similarly, on the first series banknotes, a letter or country code precedes the serial number, indicating the central bank that commissioned the banknote’s printing. This code, as illustrated by the ‘S’ marking banknotes printed for Banca d’Italia, is another sign of origin and accountability within the Eurosystem.
Printing Works and Letters (Europa Series)
| Printing Works | Letter |
|---|---|
| Nationale Bank van België/Banque Nationale de Belgique | Z |
| Bank of Greece | Y |
| Giesecke & Devrient GmbH (Munich) | X |
| Giesecke & Devrient GmbH (Leipzig) | W |
| IMBISA | V |
| Banque de France | U |
| Central Bank of Ireland | T |
| Banca d’Italia | S |
| Bundesdruckerei GmbH | R |
| Joh. Enschede Security Printing BV | P |
| Oesterreichische Banknoten und Sicherheitsdruck GmbH | N |
| Valora | M |
| Not assigned | L |
| Not assigned | K |
| De La Rue Currency (Gateshead) | J |
| De La Rue Currency (Loughton) | H |
| Not assigned | G |
| Oberthur Fiduciaire AD (Sofia) | F |
| Oberthur Fiduciaire SAS (Chantepie) | E |
| Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych | D |
| Not assigned | C |
| Not assigned | B |
| Not assigned | A |
Country Codes (First Series)
| Country | Code |
|---|---|
| Belgium | Z |
| Germany | X |
| Estonia | D |
| Ireland | T |
| Greece | Y |
| Spain | V |
| France | U |
| Italy | S |
| Cyprus | G |
| Latvia | C |
| Lithuania | B |
| Luxembourg | ¹ |
| Malta | F |
| Netherlands | P |
| Austria | N |
| Portugal | M |
| Slovenia | H |
| Slovakia | E |
| Finland | L |
| ¹ Uncirculated euro banknotes issued by the Banque centrale du Luxembourg bear the code of the central banks of the countries where the banknotes for Luxembourg are produced. |
Conclusion: The Euro’s Design as a Unified Visual Sign
From architectural styles and geographical maps to colors, multilingual text, and security features, every element of the euro banknote design acts as a visual “sign” that contributes to the currency’s identity, security, and representation of European unity. These carefully considered design choices collectively create a powerful and recognizable visual language for the euro, reinforcing its role as a symbol of European integration and economic stability on the global stage.
