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All About the Euro

There hasn't been a single currency used throughout Europe since the Roman Empire. As of January 2002 more than 320 million Europeans will have the opportunity to share the Euro. This currency and the formation of the European Monetary Union (EMU) are, perhaps, the most important numismatic event of our times.

Twelve of the fifteen European Union states will take part in this common currency. The other governments in the EMU -- Great Britain, Sweden, and Denmark -- have expressed interest in joining the Eurozone in the future, as have many Eastern European nations, including Lithuania, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.

For the participating twelve countries, production of all national currencies has already ended. No more Schillings, Punt, Francs, Marks, Gulden, Escudos, Pesetas, or Lire are being produced. The banks and mints of Europe are fully occupied with the production of the new Euro coins and banknotes.

By January 2002 the European mints will have produced almost fifty billion new Euro coins and 14.5 billion Euro banknotes for the 12 participating countries. The coins and banknotes will represent a total value of 620 billion Euros. All the national coins and banknotes will remain in circulation until the issue of the Euro -- these are the last of the national currencies for the members of the EMU and will become part of history.

Follow the links below to learn more about the Euro:

• The Euro: Official Information from the European Commission - multilingual, incl. images, release dates, converters, FAQs, and more.
• Ireland's EuroTimes - a web publication featuring articles, late breaking news, opinion, and commentary.
• EuroFAQ - commonly asked questions and answers relating to the new Euro currency and the EMU.
• Belzberg Coins - test link.

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