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The Common European Currency

At the beginning of 2002, twelve European nations introduced a common European currency: the euro. But there's much more to the euro than just new coins and bills.

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At the end of 2001, it was "Auf Wiedersehen" Deutschmark, "Au revoir" French Franc and "Arrividerci" Italian Lira.

January first 2002 marked the introduction of a common European currency: the euro.

300 million people all across Europe are now using the same money.

Below you'll find stories relating to many different aspects of the introduction of the euro.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

New Year, New Money

The world's newest currency makes its debut in 12 European countries amid fireworks and celebrations.

For Poland, Euro-Launch Will Be Complex

The country's markets are flexible enough to handle the transition with ease, but the costs are impossible to measure in advance.

Euro Wonderland

The Euro, maybe the most ambitious monetary project ever, is about to join the orbit of international currencies. But three of the EU’s member states still reckon the project is like trying to square a circle.

Ready to Jangle Some New Loose Change?

Come January 1, 2002 and people in 15 European countries will be walking around with some shiny new change in their pockets. Here the man and the story behind the euro coins.

Treasures in Your Wallet

In a few days, twelve European countries will introduce the euro. Coin collectors are frantically searching for hidden treasures among the old national coins in the different countries.

Anything to Declare?

The changeover to Europe's new single currency is flushing out the Deutschmarks, undeclared to the tax man.

Happy New Euro!

Frankfurt is determined to make December 31, 2001 a night to remember. Home to the European Central Bank, the financial metropolis will usher in the era of the euro with a glittering programme on New Year’s Eve.

Eur’o ld Curiosity Shop

The brouhaha began on Wednesday. Pranksters had ideas for making a fast buck. Polish mathematicians worked out that euros usually land heads up. And the Vatican had problems making them appear at all.

In Currency Switch, Minor Hassles Precede Promised Convenience

Lines outside banks and cash registers, buyers fumbling with mixed change, and some automatic tellers running dry, but otherwise, things go smoothly on the Euro's first big day.

Euro's Steady Start

Without any major logistical slips, the euro is steady on international currency markets, as speculators exploit weaknesses elsewhere.

Euro Fever

New Year's Eve in Europe will culminate, not just in the usual fireworks, champagne and best wishes, but in the arrival of the euro. With it, the centuries-old dream of a single, united Europe is finally taking shape.

Euro Vision

Europe's new banknotes are decorated with a freshly imagined continental architecture, but drawn from history.

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