(pictures in this blog are from the site of the ECB)

I must admit, I hardly use cash money anymore these days. I don't even use my bank card anymore. I pay almost everything with my bank card via NFC on my phone. Here in the Netherlands cashless payments are the standard. But during my holidays in other European countries I still notice that cash is used much more often. It is interesting to see these differences.
Despite the fact that I hardly use bank notes, I did like the news that the European Central Bank is working on a completely new series of euro banknotes. And that we as European citizens may choose our favorite designs.

Two very different themes

The ECB has presented two completely different design themes. From each of the themes they have 5 different designs. They want the new banknotes to better reflect Europe. The first theme is about famous Europeans. They chase Europeans who were important in the field of music, art, science, literature and peace.
Here is the link for those fellow European citizens that want to vote as well: https://surveys.ecb.europa.eu/10b/neweuro/

And these are the people that are on the banknotes:

€5 – Maria Callas, one of the greatest opera singers in history.
€10 – Ludwig van Beethoven, whose music shaped European classical music. His Ode to Joy is the anthem of Europe.
€20 – Marie Curie, the scientist whose discoveries changed physics and medicine.
€50 – Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, one of the first novels ever written.
€100 – Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance genius who combined art, science and engineering.
€200 – Bertha von Suttner, peace activist and the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

The second theme has European rivers and birds on them. It's a colorful series that shows Europe's biodiversity and natural beauty.

Something completely new

One thing that caught my attention is that some of the proposed designs are vertical instead of the raditional horizontal layout. I cannot remember seeing banknotes of any country like that before. It is quite interesting because when you think of how you normally hold a pile of bank notes, that direction makes more sense (at least, to me).

My favourite

I have my favorite subject ánd a favorite design as well. I have already casted my votes too. And it was one of the 'birds and rivers' designs. It's the following series that I like the most:

I have always enjoyed watching and photographing birds, so that theme immediately appealed to me. I also think the designs are much more colorful and lively than the portraits of historical figures.
Although the historical figures might have been important, I don't think such a small selection of them should be on the bills.

As I already mentioned, the ECB has opened the vote to people across Europe, so everyone can share their opinion on which direction the future euro banknotes should take. It will be interesting to see which design eventually ends up in our wallets. Even if I rarely carry cash anymore, I do hope it will be the lovely and colorful birds of Europe that end up on them.

Thanks for reading my blog!

What do you think about the designs? Which subjects and designs are your favorite one?
Have you already voted if you are a European too?
If not, here is the site: https://surveys.ecb.europa.eu/10b/neweuro/

Friendlymoose