The euro (€) is a global currency, instantly recognizable around the world. But what about its symbol, the distinctive € sign? While ubiquitous today, the process behind choosing the euro sign and the individuals involved remained largely undisclosed by the European Commission for a long time. However, some details regarding its creation and adoption have emerged, shedding light on this important emblem of European unity.
The Design and Selection Process of the Euro Sign
The European Commission established a clear set of criteria for the euro symbol. It needed to be easily hand-drawn, bear resemblance to existing currency symbols, and evoke a sense of Europeanness. Initially, around 30 different designs were shortlisted by the European Commission staff, all adhering to these guidelines. A committee then narrowed this selection down to ten designs, which were subsequently presented to the public for feedback in a survey.
From the two most favored designs emerging from the public survey, the final decision rested with Jacques Santer, then president of the European Commission, and Yves-Thibault de Silguy, the commissioner overseeing economic, monetary, and financial affairs. Dublin, Ireland, served as the location for the official unveiling of the chosen euro sign on December 13, 1996.
Origin of the Euro Symbol: Designers and Claims
Officially, the European Commission attributes the euro symbol’s design to a four-person team. Despite this, two graphic designers independently claimed authorship after the symbol’s public debut. Arthur Eisenmenger, a graphic designer for the European Economic Community, asserted that he conceived the design during his tenure. Notably, Eisenmenger also designed the EU flag and the “CE” mark for consumer goods.
Alain Billiet, a Belgian graphic designer, also claimed to be the originator. Billiet had created the visual identity for the EU at the 1992 World Exhibition in Sevilla and the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, lending credence to his claim. Despite these individual assertions, the European Commission maintains the official version of a team effort.
Rollout and Usage of the Euro Sign Across Europe
The euro sign began its journey into everyday use on January 1, 1999, coinciding with the euro’s launch as a virtual currency in financial markets and for certain businesses. A significant milestone was reached on January 1, 2002, with the physical introduction of approximately 14.5 billion banknotes and 50 billion coins across Europe. This widespread distribution solidified the euro sign as one of the most recognizable symbols on the continent.
Frankfurt am Main, Germany, marked this historic occasion with the inauguration of the Euro-Skulptur (“euro sculpture”) in its financial district on the same day. This monumental replica of the euro symbol, standing 14 meters (46 feet) tall and weighing 50 tons, serves as a prominent landmark. Created by German artist Ottmar Hörl and acquired for 350,000 euros by the Frankfurt Culture Committee, the sculpture visually celebrates the euro’s arrival.
Euro Sign in Computing and Unicode Integration
Recognizing the euro’s significance as a major currency even in its virtual form, swift integration of its symbol into computing systems was crucial. In 1998, the European Commission provided recommendations for incorporating the new icon onto computer keyboards, even suggesting a dedicated physical key. The euro sign was officially added to the international character-encoding system Unicode in May 1998, assigned the hex code U+20AC.
On standard English-language keyboards, the euro symbol is typically accessed as a special character using modifier keys like Ctrl + Alt + 4, Ctrl + Alt + 5, or Ctrl + Alt + E. Interestingly, on some European keyboards, the euro sign replaced the dollar sign, reflecting the euro’s growing prominence. For users with number pads, the symbol can be typed on any keyboard by holding down the Alt key and typing 0128 on the number pad.
Copyright and Legal Aspects of the Euro Sign
The euro symbol holds a unique distinction: it is the first copyrighted currency sign globally. The European Commission, representing the European Community, owns the copyright to its design. However, the EU Intellectual Property Office allows registration of logos incorporating the euro symbol, provided the overall logos are sufficiently distinct from the symbol itself.
This copyright has not prevented widespread use of the euro emblem, which appears on countless items, from artistic creations to clothing. In 2001, the foreign exchange company Travelex initiated legal action against the European Commission, alleging trademark infringement and seeking £25.5 million in damages. Travelex argued that the euro sign was too similar to its interpayment division logo, used since 1989. However, the Court of First Instance of the European Communities (now the General Court of the European Union) ruled against Travelex in April 2003, upholding the euro symbol’s distinctiveness.
In conclusion, the euro sign, a seemingly simple symbol, is the result of a deliberate design process and careful consideration. From its selection criteria to its integration into technology and even legal battles, the € symbol represents not only the euro currency but also a significant chapter in European economic and political integration.
