The euro (€) is more than just a currency; it’s a symbol of European unity and integration. Recognized across the Eurozone and beyond, the euro symbol is an essential part of this identity. But the euro represents itself not only through its symbol but also through the intricate designs of its banknotes. These banknotes are thoughtfully crafted, reflecting European spirit, history, and security. Let’s delve into the fascinating design elements of euro banknotes, exploring how they visually represent the euro currency.
Architectural Motifs on Euro Banknotes
The visual foundation of the euro banknotes, across both the first and Europa series, lies in the “ages and styles” theme. This theme, while maintained in the Europa series, has been refreshed by independent banknote designer Reinhold Gerstetter from Berlin. The redesign aimed to modernize the banknotes and incorporate enhanced security features, crucial for distinguishing between the two series and combating counterfeiting.
Windows and doorways grace the front of both euro banknote series. These architectural elements are not merely decorative; they symbolize the European spirit of openness and cooperation, core values of the European Union. Conversely, the bridges depicted on the back of the banknotes represent connection – communication between the people of Europe and between Europe and the wider world.
Mirroring the first series, the Europa banknotes showcase architectural styles spanning various periods in European history. Importantly, these are stylized representations and do not depict actual, existing monuments or bridges. The architectural styles represented on each denomination are:
- €5: Classical
- €10: Romanesque
- €20: Gothic
- €50: Renaissance
- €100: Baroque and Rococo
- €200: 19th-century iron and glass architecture
Geographical Representation: The Map of Europe
A geographical map of Europe is another consistent design element found on the reverse side of all euro banknotes. The Europa series features an updated map, which now includes Malta and Cyprus, reflecting the expansion of the European Union. Small boxes near the banknote’s bottom subtly depict the Canary Islands and some French overseas territories where the euro is also legal tender. It’s worth noting that very small islands are intentionally omitted from the design. Their intricate details cannot be accurately reproduced using the high-volume offset printing techniques employed for banknote production.
Color Palette and Denomination
Color plays a vital role in quickly distinguishing between different euro banknote denominations. The Europa series maintains the color scheme established in the first series, ensuring continuity and ease of recognition for users. Each denomination is associated with a distinct color:
- €5: Grey
- €10: Red
- €20: Blue
- €50: Orange
- €100: Green
- €200: Yellow-brown
Beyond architectural and geographical elements, euro banknotes incorporate other key design features:
- Currency Name: The name “euro” is presented in three alphabets: Latin (EURO), Greek (EYPΩ), and Cyrillic (EBPO). The Cyrillic alphabet was added with the Europa series to acknowledge Bulgaria’s accession to the EU.
- European Central Bank Initials: Abbreviations of the European Central Bank appear in multiple linguistic variants. The number of variants increased from nine to ten in the Europa series to include Croatian (ESB), following Croatia’s EU membership in 2013. The abbreviations (BCE, ECB, ЕЦБ, EZB, EKP, EKT, ESB, EKB, BĊE, EBC) are ordered according to the EU protocol for countries and official languages.
- Copyright Symbol: The symbol © indicates copyright protection for the banknote design.
- EU Flag: The flag of the European Union is prominently featured, reinforcing the banknotes’ connection to the EU.
The design process for the Europa series also included consultations with visually impaired users. This valuable input led to the integration of specific features that enhance accessibility for people with visual impairments.
Signatures of the ECB Presidents
Each euro banknote bears the signature of a President of the European Central Bank. Banknotes in circulation may feature the signature of Willem F. Duisenberg, Jean-Claude Trichet, Mario Draghi, or Christine Lagarde – the first, second, third, and fourth presidents of the ECB, respectively. Importantly, all banknotes with any of these signatures are equally valid and legal tender.
Serial Numbers: Identifying Banknotes
Euro banknotes incorporate serial numbers as a security and tracking feature. On the Europa series, two serial numbers are printed on the back: a horizontal number in black and a vertical number in a different color.
The horizontal serial number consists of two letters and ten digits. The first letter serves to identify the printing works responsible for producing the banknote. The second letter has no specific meaning but expands the range of possible serial numbers.
The table below lists the printing works and their corresponding letter codes:
| 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 on the First Series
On the first series of euro banknotes, a country code, represented by a letter, precedes the serial number. This code indicates the central bank that commissioned the banknote’s printing, although it doesn’t necessarily specify the country where the printing took place.
For instance, a banknote with the letter ‘S’ was printed for the Banca d’Italia, the central bank of Italy.
The table below details the country codes used in the first series:
| 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. |
|---|
| Belgium |
| Germany |
| Estonia |
| Ireland |
| Greece |
| Spain |
| France |
| Italy |
| Cyprus |
| Latvia |
| Lithuania |
| Luxembourg |
| Malta |
| Netherlands |
| Austria |
| Portugal |
| Slovenia |
| Slovakia |
| Finland |
In conclusion, while the question “What Is The Symbol For Euro Currency?” has a straightforward answer (€), understanding the broader visual identity of the euro requires exploring its banknotes. From architectural styles and geographical maps to signatures and security features, euro banknotes are rich in design elements that communicate European unity, cooperation, and history. These thoughtfully designed banknotes, along with the euro symbol, collectively represent the euro currency in the hands and minds of people across Europe and the world.
