Euro Notes to Feature EU Buildings and Famous Europeans

The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled 10 shortlisted design proposals for the next series of euro banknotes. These designs aim to reinforce Europe's shared identity and create a tighter understanding of European citizenship, according to ECB head Christine Lagarde.

The proposed designs feature images of EU institutional buildings, such as the European Commission building in Brussels, alongside birds or famous European artists and scientists like Ludwig van Beethoven, Leonardo da Vinci, and Maria Callas. The inclusion of these figures was required by the ECB to meet specific guidelines.

The public has been mixed in its response to the new designs, with some praising their beauty and meaning while others have questioned the various motifs required for the notes. A few have even suggested including an image of a plastic bottle with an irremovable cap on the new bills.