What historical figures on the next euro banknotes?

The euro is the only major world currencies that does not have faces on its banknotes. But that could change after 2024, as a new series of banknotes adorned with historical European figures are being planned.

Jean-Christophe Laurence
Press

Marie Curie or Galileo? Beethoven or Victor Hugo? Jacques Delors or Simone Veil? What faces will appear on the next euro banknotes? That’s the thousand dollar question …

At present, the only illustrations appearing on European banknotes are figures from mythology or imaginary architectural structures, made of unknown doors and bridges that do not exist. But these designs could change as early as 2024, when new denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 euros are announced to mark the 20^e anniversary of the single currency, currently shared by 19 countries of the “euro zone”.

The project, outlined last week by the European Central Bank (ECB), would involve real historical monuments and figures, in order to better embody Europe. As Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, explained, these new images will allow “Europeans of all ages and from all walks of life” to “identify” more easily with their banknotes.

However, the process has a high flammable potential. A group of 19 governors representing the central banks of the 19 countries concerned will be responsible for making the final decision, following citizens’ consultations. But each country might want to pull the cover on their own depending on their interests.

It is for this reason, moreover, that the current banknotes are neutral. They are the result of a compromise designed to spare national sensibilities. French newspaper The echoes recalls that at the time, the project had provoked “passionate debates”, while all the Member States “wanted to see their heroes or their most beautiful treasures honored”, hence this choice of imaginary bridges.

Many called, but few chosen

Are we opening a Pandora’s Box by launching this project of new designs? Wouldn’t it be better to keep the current tickets, disembodied, yes, but consensual?

“There will be a debate, for sure, and there will be opponents, that’s clear,” says Yves Bertoncini, president of the European Movement – France, referring to the tensions that already exist between certain countries.

For this consultant in European affairs, the idea of ​​redesigning euro banknotes is far from being bad. It will indeed improve the “cold” and “technocratic” image of the European Union by giving it “a little soul and flesh, something more familiar”.

According to historian Laurent Warlouzet, author of the book Europe versus Europe – Between freedom, solidarity and power, to be published in January 2022, the exercise would also have the advantage of launching a new reflection on the “identity and specificity” of the European project, a reflection that would go “beyond a restricted circle of specialists and ‘a somewhat theoretical interest in peace’.

In theory, all good. But in practice, these great ideas might hit a wall. With 19 countries for only 5 different cuts, there will inevitably be many called, but few elected, even if some figures, more consensual than others, may end up winning (see below).

Consensus figures

A researcher at the French Observatory of Economic Conjunctures (OFCE), Catherine Mathieu immediately sees a solution. It suggests that each country issue its own banknotes, with their own national figures or buildings, as is already the case for euro zone coins. “It would be a very simple possibility … but there would be issues of confidence”, launches the economist, by evoking the increased risk of counterfeits.

The selection process will continue until 2024. Until then, here are some names that could be retained, knowing that military figures will automatically be excluded, because of their divisive aspect. Napoleon does not evoke the same thing in France as in Austria… In the general opinion, it will be necessary rather to look on the side of science or art, more consensual fields.

Marie Curie (1867-1934): woman, scientist, Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1911, the “discoverer” of radium fulfills all the criteria. “She is both French and Polish. He is one of the rare characters who is at the same time from Central and Western Europe. It is a consensual figure ”, summarizes Laurent Warlouzet.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): one of the greatest composers of his time. His Ode to Joy has been the anthem of the European Union since 1972, and was taken up by Emmanuel Macron on the evening of his election in 2017.

Simone veil (1927-2017): survivor of the death camps, this French politician is known for her fundamental role in the legalization of abortion in France. She was the first woman President of the European Parliament in 1979.

Erasmus (1466-1536): theologian and philosopher, this Dutchman is considered one of the great thinkers of the Renaissance. “A positive figure in many European countries”, summarizes Laurent Warlouzet. The Erasmus student exchange program owes its name to it.

Leonardo DeVinci (1452-1519): symbol of genius and ingenuity, the most famous of Italian painters is an emblematic figure of European heritage. All the more justified since he spent the last years of his life in France. We could prefer the Italian to him Galileo (1564-1642) or the Polish Copernicus (1473-1543), two Renaissance astronomers.

The architects of “European construction”: they are called Altiero Spinelli (precursor of European integration, 1907-1986), Jacques Delors (creation of the single market, 1925-) Wim Duisenberg (first president of the ECB, 1935-2005), Pierre Werner (creation of the euro, 1913-2002) or Robert schuman (creation of the European Union, 1886-1963). They “thought” of the European Union, but their lack of awareness among the general public could work against them. “It’s a less satisfactory second level, but I would say that it would be a possible fallback base”, summarizes Yves Bertoncini.