The European Central Bank (ECB) has gone a step further in its task of leaving behind the portals and bridges of the current banknote design, and proposes replacing them with well-known figures from European art and culture, or with motifs related to biodiversity. It has therefore selected two possible themes to illustrate the new banknotes: European Culture: Shared Cultural Spaces and Rivers and Birds: Resilience in Diversity, as reported in a press release on Friday. The decision to propose these alternatives was informed by the suggestions made by two advisory groups of experts from across the euro area. In addition, it is based on the preferences expressed by more than 365,000 citizens in public surveys conducted in the summer of 2023 and in focus groups carried out since 2021.
As a next step, the ECB will launch a design competition in the coming months, with a final choice of one of the two design lines in 2026. The new banknotes will be ready for circulation several years after this decision and after a complex production process. ‘We are excited to present these motifs that reflect our commitment to Europe and celebrate its cultural heritage and natural environment,’ says ECB President Christine Lagarde in a recording accompanying the announcement. ‘The new banknotes will symbolise our shared European identity and the diversity that makes us strong.
The new set of banknotes will cover denominations ranging from five to 200 euros, leaving out the 500-euro banknote, in application of a decision taken in 2016 by the European Central Bank (ECB). The Banco de España stopped issuing this paper currency in January 2019 and, although it is a legal tender banknote, it has since been in the process of being withdrawn, given the bad reputation associated with such a valuable reference.
This is the second change in the design of the common currency. The theme of the current series (Europa series) is a reissue of the motif of the series introduced at the beginning of this century to replace the peseta, Épocas y Estilos. The current banknotes, which despite their similarity are clearly distinguishable from their predecessors, were modified to give them an updated look and to incorporate new anti-counterfeiting security features - an aspect that is also behind the current rebranding process. Designer Reinhold Gerstetter used windows, portals and bridges in architectural styles from different periods in Europe's history to symbolise the bloc's spirit of openness and cooperation.
From Cervantes to Callas
The European Culture theme celebrates the shared cultural spaces and activities that have shaped the identity of the Old Continent over the centuries. It also pays tribute to outstanding Europeans who have contributed to building the region's cultural heritage. ‘Their lives span six centuries, during which they lived, travelled and worked throughout our continent; their achievements have resonated around the world,’ the ECB describes. Should this theme be chosen, the world literary icon Miguel de Cervantes would adorn the face of the €50 banknote, which would bear an illustration of a bookshop, including readers, on the reverse. The soprano Maria Callas would be the face of the five-euro banknote. She would be escorted, upside down, by street artists and passers-by. The ten-euro note would feature the musical genius Ludwig van Beethoven, with a children's choir singing at a music festival on the other side.
The 20 banknote would be headed by the prominent scientist Marie Curie, if this proposal goes ahead. On the reverse side, it would illustrate a high school or university classroom. The Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci would be printed on the front of the €100 banknote. On the reverse, he would be accompanied by adults and children admiring pieces of street and contemporary art. Finally, the Nobel Peace Prize winner Bertha von Suttner would be the face of the highest denomination banknote, the €200. On the other side, a tree-lined square and people of various ages.
Nature and European institutions
The second theme highlights the resilience and diversity of Europe's natural ecosystems by using the image of rivers and various bird species of the continent. These motifs are complemented by the European institutions on the reverse. ‘These remind us of the core values of the European project, which also encompasses environmental protection’, explains the ECB.
If this proposal is chosen, the €5 banknote would feature a spring and a wallcreeper bird on the front and illustrate the European Parliament on the back. The 10-euro banknote would have a waterfall and a kingfisher on one side and the European Commission on the other. A colony of bee-eaters on the banks of a river valley would adorn the €20 banknote, which, in turn, would have the European Central Bank on the other side.
For the €50 banknote, the proposal includes a stork flying over a meandering river and the Court of Justice of the European Union. For the €100 banknote, an avocet at a river mouth is proposed, while on the other side are the European Council and the Council of the European Union. Finally, a northern gannet flying over large waves and the European Court of Auditors are the images on this theme for the €200 banknote.
Looking ahead, before the end of 2025 the ECB will set up a jury and launch a competition open to designers from across the European Union. The ECB says it will continue to involve the public and experts to ensure that the designs selected are understandable to Europeans of all ages. In 2026, citizens will be asked which designs they prefer from a shortlist. ‘We are developing new banknotes because we are committed to cash now and in the future. The banknotes are a symbol of our European unity and, with the new designs, we celebrate our shared history and our commitment to a sustainable future,’ said Piero Cipollone, a member of the ECB's Executive Board, in the statement.
Source: Cinco Días