What do the seven new notes look like?
The imagery on the notes is highly symbolic and has been chosen to represent a range of styles that have characterised our European architectural heritage. However they do not depict any existing monuments.
The Windows and bridges depicted have been chosen to represent the spirit of openness and collaboration and communication within the European Union.
Each note is a different size and colour (shades of green yellow, blue, mauve and orange).
How were the designs chosen?
The notes were designed by Robert Kalina of the Austrian Central Bank who won a competition among professional note designers. The competition was launched by the European Monetary Institute (EMI) in February 1996. The designs were slightly modified in 1997 and the final versions include important security features including fluorescent fibres, a security thread and machine readable elements for reliable authentication.
 5 euro: Archictectural style - Classical, grey green in colour, 120x62 mm
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 10 euro: Archictectural style -Romantic, reddish in colour, 127x67 mm
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 20 euro: Archictectural style - Gothic, blue 133x72 mm
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 50 euro: Archictectural style - Renaissance, orange 140x77 mm
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 100 euro: Archictectural style - Baroque, green 147x82 mm
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 200 euro: Archictectural style - Modernist, yellow 153x82
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 500 euro: Archictectural style - Contemporary, mauve 160x82 mm
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What do the euro coins look like?
One side of the coins will carry national symbols, which each participating Member State has chosen for itself. The common European face of the coins represents a map of the European Union against a background of transverse lines to which are attached the stars of the European flag. The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins emphasise Europe's place in the world while the 10, 20 and 50 cent coins present the Union as a gathering of nations. The 1 and 2 euro coins depict Europe without frontiers.
But remember no matter which motif is on the coins they can be used anywhere inside the 12 Member States. For example, a French citizen will be able to buy a hot dog in Berlin using a euro coin carrying the imprint of the King of Spain.
The coins have also been designed to make counterfeiting difficult.
 1 euro
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The common face of the euro coins was chosen after a design competition limited to three themes : architectural, abstract and European personalities. National selections were made by all Member States, except Denmark, and a European jury of independent experts chose the nine best series out of a total of 36 in March 1997. A final decision on the design was taken by the European Council meeting in Amsterdam in June 1997. The competition was won by Luc Luycx, a 39-year-old computer scientist at the Belgian Royal Mint.
You can find out how many euros the pound is worth by checking our currency converter.
Common questions about the introduction of the euro.
