Overview
- The European Central Bank published a shortlist of 10 full banknote design sets on July 23 that follow two distinct themes: a "European culture" option and a "rivers and birds" option.
- Designs in the cultural theme place the same six historical figures on notes, including Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Ludwig van Beethoven, Maria Callas, Bertha von Suttner, and Miguel de Cervantes.
- The ECB opened a public survey running until September 21 so citizens can comment before the Governing Council combines public feedback, technical checks and jury advice to pick a final design.
- An independent jury picked the 10 proposals from over 1,200 submissions and the shortlisted sets show wide stylistic range, from geometric abstraction to photo and collage treatments.
- Choice of a theme could change longstanding euro practice of avoiding national symbols and will lead to years of testing, new anti-counterfeiting elements and clearer tactile features that affect how people use cash.