Currency signs are peculiar graphemes that are built from individual letters of the Latin alphabet or Cyrillic alphabet. Some of them arose as a result of improved writing, for example, the symbols of the pound and the Russian ruble. Others are the result of decisions by authorities (dollar and euro badges,
Indian rupees and Armenian drams). But they all have one goal - to designate the currency as concisely and uniquely as possible.
Euro
The Euro is the official currency of the countries within the Eurozone of the European Union. Each of you probably knows what the euro icon looks like. Photos of banknotes and coins themselves can be seen on the Internet and on the pages of print media.
The introduction of this currency in non-cash payment falls on January 1, 1999, in cash - exactly three years later. By 2014, the euro became the 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 exactly this? About it further.
What does the euro icon look like?
The Greek letter “ipsilon” was taken as the basis for the graphic symbol of the euro. This letter “€” is very similar to the English version “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 significance of European civilization, as well as the letter "E" - meaning Europe.
As for the two parallel lines intersecting the icon, they are not accidental here. The lines symbolize the stability of the euro as a monetary currency. By the way, thanks to these direct euro icon is very similar to the symbol "is", which is included in the Slavic alphabet of the "round Glagolitic".
Disputes around the Euro
The euro icon is perhaps the only graphic symbol that has caused a huge amount of controversy and complaints. You need to start with the fact that, although this symbol was officially registered not so long ago, the history of its occurrence is murky and dark.
According to the official version, this symbol was selected in two stages. Initially, ten icon options were proposed. Then, through the polls and opinion polls, voting, etc., the two most acceptable applicants were selected. They were submitted to the European Commission, which ultimately determined the winner (€) and approved it as an official
currency sign. The authors of this symbol recognized a team of four. However, their names were kept secret.
But the official version is disputed by Arthur Eisenmenger - once the leading graphic designer of the European Union. He claims to be the author of this symbol since the mid-70s. According to him, he created this symbol as a universal designation of Europe. So who is right here is still not known.
And the Euro icon received its official presentation on December 12, 1996. Then the International Organization of Standards registered for the euro an official letter reduction - EUR.
Banknotes and coins
Euro is issued in the form of notes and coins. Given currency
valid on the territory of all member countries of the Eurozone.
Coins are issued in the following denominations: 1 and 2 euros, as well as in the form of cents - 5, 10, 20 and 50. The coins are made of copper alloy, and they depict views of European cities.
Banknotes have a bright and unusual design. Banknotes of the following denominations are issued: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. In some countries, the latter two are not issued, but they can still be easily paid.
The drawings on the notes have not changed since they were created - 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 European states. Various architectural buildings and structures are a reference to a variety of European styles (baroque, renaissance, classic, modern and others). The design of all notes was invented by the artist of the Austrian National Park Robert Kalina.
Checking banknotes for counterfeit
Euro banknotes are protected by a special serial number that is present on each banknote. A number is eleven digits and one letter. There is a trick here. When adding all eleven digits, a two-digit number must be obtained. No more and no less. We check further. Now you need to consistently add up the numbers that make up this two-digit number. The result should be a single digit.
For example, when adding up 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 number that, together with the letter in the serial number, will indicate the country who issued the banknote. For example, the letter X is assigned to Germany. And the number should be X2, and not otherwise. Otherwise, you are definitely holding a fake. There is a special table in which the letters and numbers corresponding to the countries are indicated. This table is publicly available.