Banknotes, coins and euro icon

Currency signs are original graphemes, which are constructed from individual Latin or Cyrillic letters. Some of them arose as a result of improving the writing, for example, the symbols of the pound and the Russian ruble. Others - as a result of decisions of the authorities (dollar and euro signs, Indian rupee and Armenian dram). But all of them pursue one goal - to briefly and uniquely identify the currency.

Euro

The euro is the official currency of the countries belonging to the "Eurozone" of the European Union. Probably, each of you knows what the euro icon looks like. Photos of the notes and coins can be seen both in the Internet and in printed publications.

The introduction of this monetary unit into a cashless settlement falls on January 1, 1999, in cash - exactly three years later. By 2014, the euro has become a currency in 18 countries (out of 27) of the European Union. Like any other currency, the euro has its own means of individualization. The letter code is EUR and the euro icon is €. Why this? About this further.

What does the euro icon look like?

As a basis for the graphic symbol of the euro, the Greek letter "ipsilon" was taken. This letter "€" is very similar to the English version of "E" - the first letter in the word "Europe".

In 1996, the European Commission, which adopted this sign, announced that it is a combination of the Greek "ipsilon", which symbolizes the importance of European civilization, as well as the letter "E" - meaning Europe.

As for the two parallel straight lines crossing the badge, they are not accidental here. Lines symbolize the stability of the euro as a monetary currency. By the way, thanks to these direct euro badge is very similar to the symbol "is", which is included in the Slavic alphabet of the "round Glagolitic".

Disputes about the euro

The euro badge is perhaps the only graphic symbol that caused a huge number of disputes and censures. It is necessary to start with the fact that although this symbol was officially registered not so long ago, the history of its occurrence is cloudy and dark.

According to the official version, this symbol was selected in two stages. Initially, ten variants of the icon were suggested. Then, by polls and surveys of public opinion, voting, etc., two of the most acceptable candidates were selected. They were submitted for consideration by the European Commission, which eventually determined the winner (€) and approved it as an official currency sign. The authors of this symbol was recognized as a team of four people. However, their names were classified.

But the official version is disputed by Arthur Eisenmenger - once the leading graphic designer of the European Union. He claims to have been the author of this symbol since the mid-1970s. According to him, he created this symbol as a universal symbol of Europe. So, who is right here, is still not known.

And the official presentation of the euro badge was received on December 12, 1996. At the same time, the International Organization of Standards registered for the euro official letter reduction - EUR.

Banknotes and coins

Euro is issued in the form of bills and coins. This currency Operates on the territory of all member countries of the Eurozone.

Coins are issued in the following dignity: 1 and 2 euros, and also in the form of cents - 5, 10, 20 and 50. Coins are made of copper alloy, and they depict types of European cities.

Banknotes have a bright and unusual design. The following denominations are issued: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. In some countries, the last two are not issued, but still they can be easily paid.

Drawings on bills do not change from the moment of their creation - these are images of windows, bridges, gates, twelve stars, a map of Europe and the flag of the European Union. Windows and gates symbolize the openness of the European nation, 12 stars - harmony and dynamism, and bridges - the unity of the states of Europe. Various architectural buildings and structures are a reference to a variety of European styles (Baroque, Renaissance, classic, modern and others). The design of all the bills was invented by the artist of the National Park of Austria Robert Kalina.

Checking banknotes for falseness

Euro banknotes are protected by a special serial number, which is present on each banknote. The number is eleven digits and one letter. There is a trick here. When you add all eleven digits, you must have a two-digit number. No more and no less. We check further. Now it is necessary to consistently add up the digits that make up this two-digit number. The result should be a unique number.

For example, when you add all the digits of the serial number, you get the number 78. Add 7 and 8, and get the number 15. Then add 1 and 5, and get 6. This is a single digit that, together with the letter in the serial number, will point to the country , Which issued a banknote. For example, the letter X is assigned to Germany. And the number should be X2, and not otherwise. Otherwise, you definitely have a fake in your hands. There is a special table in which the letters and figures corresponding to the countries are indicated. This table is publicly available.