The euro is more than just a currency; it’s a symbol of European unity and integration. But what’s the sign for euro, and how is this represented in the visual design of euro banknotes? While the familiar € symbol is the most direct sign, the banknotes themselves are rich with design elements that communicate the spirit and values of Europe. Let’s delve into the fascinating details of euro banknote design, exploring how architectural motifs, maps, colors, and other symbols contribute to the identity of this important currency.
Architectural Motifs: A Visual Language of European History
The design of the Europa series banknotes, like the first series, revolves around the theme of “ages and styles.” This architectural theme serves as a visual representation of European history and cultural evolution. However, the Europa series has been refreshed with a contemporary look and enhanced security features, making it easy to distinguish from the original series. Reinhold Gerstetter, an independent banknote designer from Berlin, was tasked with this redesign.
Both the original and Europa series banknotes prominently feature windows and doorways on the front. These architectural elements are not merely decorative; they symbolize the European spirit of openness and cooperation, core values of the European Union. On the reverse side, bridges are depicted, representing communication and connection – both amongst the people of Europe and between Europe and the wider world.
It’s important to note that while the banknotes showcase architectural styles from different periods in European history, they do not depict specific, existing monuments or bridges. This deliberate choice allows the designs to be representative of broader European architectural heritage rather than specific landmarks. The architectural styles featured on the banknotes are:
- €5: Classical
- €10: Romanesque
- €20: Gothic
- €50: Renaissance
- €100: Baroque and rococo
- €200: 19th-century iron and glass architecture
These styles, easily recognizable and associated with distinct periods in European history, act as visual cues, reinforcing the ‘sign’ of shared European cultural heritage embedded within the currency.
Mapping Europe: A Continent United
The back of each euro banknote features a geographical representation of Europe. The Europa series presents an updated map, now including Malta and Cyprus, reflecting the expansion of the European Union. Small boxes near the bottom of the banknotes indicate the Canary Islands and French overseas territories where the euro is also legal tender. Due to the limitations of high-volume offset printing, very small islands are not included.
This map itself is a powerful symbol, a geographical ‘sign’ of the unified Eurozone and the shared space that the euro represents.
Colors and Symbols: Decoding the Euro’s Visual Identity
Each euro banknote denomination is assigned a distinct color, a feature retained from the first series to ensure easy recognition. The colors for the Europa series are consistent with the originals: grey for €5, red for €10, blue for €20, orange for €50, green for €100, and yellow-brown for €200. These colors act as immediate visual identifiers, a simple yet effective ‘sign’ for distinguishing between denominations.
Beyond color and architecture, other design elements are integral to the euro banknotes’ identity:
- Currency Name in Multiple Scripts: The name “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 multilingual representation is a clear ‘sign’ of inclusivity and the diverse linguistic landscape of Europe.
- European Central Bank Initials: The initials of the European Central Bank are present in multiple linguistic variants, reflecting the official languages of the EU member states. The number of variants increased with the enlargement of the EU. These initials (BCE, ECB, ЕЦБ, EZB, EKP, EKT, ESB, EKB, BĊE, EBC) serve as a ‘sign’ of the issuing authority and the pan-European nature of the currency.
- Copyright Symbol: The © symbol indicates copyright protection, a standard ‘sign’ for intellectual property.
- EU Flag: The presence of the EU flag is a direct and unmistakable ‘sign’ of the banknote’s origin and its association with the European Union.
The design process for the Europa series also involved consultation with visually impaired users. This inclusive approach led to the incorporation of specific features to aid accessibility, demonstrating a commitment to making the ‘sign’ of the euro accessible to everyone.
Signatures: A Mark of Authority
Each euro banknote carries the signature of a President of the European Central Bank. Currently circulating banknotes bear the signatures of Willem F. Duisenberg, Jean-Claude Trichet, Mario Draghi, or Christine Lagarde – the first, second, third, and fourth presidents respectively. These signatures act as a ‘sign’ of authenticity and the authority backing the currency. All banknotes with these signatures are equally valid, regardless of whose signature they bear.
Serial Numbers: Tracking and Identification
The Europa series banknotes feature two serial numbers on the back: a horizontal number in black and a vertical number in a different color. The horizontal number consists of two letters and ten digits. The first letter is a crucial ‘sign’, identifying the printing works responsible for producing the banknote. The second letter has no specific meaning but increases the number of possible serial number combinations.
Printing Works and Letters
| 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: Origin of the First Series
For the first series of euro banknotes, a letter or country code preceding the serial number indicated the central bank that commissioned the printing. This code, while not present on the Europa series in the same way, remains a key identifier for older banknotes.
For example, a banknote with the letter ‘S’ was printed for the Banca d’Italia. These country codes are another layer of ‘signs’ embedded in the banknotes, indicating their origin within the Eurozone system.
Country Codes
| 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 ‘sign for euro’ might immediately bring to mind the € symbol, the euro banknotes themselves are replete with signs and symbols. From architectural styles and maps to colors, multilingual text, and serial numbers, every element is carefully considered to communicate the values, history, and unity of Europe. Understanding these design elements allows us to appreciate the euro banknotes not just as currency, but as miniature works of art and powerful symbols of European identity.
