Europe marks 20 years of shared notes and coins with New Year's Day spectacle

The introduction of the euro in 12 countries on January 1, 2002, was a huge logistical undertaking, quickly replacing German marks, French francs and Italian lire

The European Central Bank main building during a preview of the illumination for the anniversary of the euro currency. AFP

The European Central Bank is celebrating the 20th anniversary of euro notes and coins as member countries wrestle with the pandemic's effects on the economy and the European Union forges a new level of financial co-operation to help boost the recovery.

The event is being marked at midnight on New Year's Eve with a light display in blue and yellow, the colours of the EU, projected on its skyscraper headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

The introduction of notes and coins in 12 countries on January 1, 2002, was a huge logistical undertaking that followed the introduction of the euro for accounting purposes and electronic payments three years earlier, on January 1, 1999. Today, the euro is used in 19 of 27 EU countries.

The cash introduction led to the new euro notes and coins quickly replacing German marks, French francs and Italian lira in ATMs, cash registers, and wallets and purses. Shop customers who paid in the old currencies received change in euros under fixed exchange rates. That swept the old currencies out of circulation as people spent their remaining national cash.

ECB president Christine Lagarde said in a video message that “the euros have become a beacon of stability and solidity around the world, thanks to you, the hundreds of millions of Europeans who trust it, gave it strength, confidence, and transact with it every day".

The bank plans to redesign the banknotes, with a final decision on the new look expected in 2024. The original designs with generic windows, doorways and bridges from various eras that do not represent any specific place or monument, have undergone one relatively minor update since introduction.

The euro has been through its ups and downs since its launch as a major project of European integration. The currency union faced speculation it would break up during an extended crisis over government and bank debt between 2011 and 2015.

ECB head Mario Draghi helped end market turbulence with his July 26, 2012, promise to “do whatever it takes” to preserve the euro, followed by the ECB's offer to purchase the government debt of countries facing excessive borrowing costs.

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  A man walks in the new headquarters of the European Central Bank during a media tour. The ECB is supposed to move into the building by the end of 2014. Jens Meyer / AP Photo

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  The interior of the new headquarters of the European Central Bank. The ECB plans to move into its new headquarters by the end of 2014. Ralph Orlowski / Reuters

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  Ever since the date of its creation in 1998, the European Central Bank has been searching for a home of its own away from the Bankenviertel, Frankfurt's busy financial hub. Thomas Lohnes / Getty Images

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  A builder works inside the new headquarters of the European Central Bank. Ralph Orlowski / Reuters

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  The building was almost €350 million over the budget, mainly caused by increases in construction material costs since the commencement of the project. Frank Rumpenhorst / EPA

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  The European Central Bank headquarters, by architect Wolf Prix, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2014. Thomas Lohnes / Getty Images

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  Journalists stand in the council meeting room of the new headquarters of the European Central Bank. Thomas Lohnes / Getty Images

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  The interior of the new headquarters of the European Central Bank. The ECB plans to move into its new headquarters by the end of 2014. Ralph Orlowski / Reuters

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  The interior of the new headquarters of the European Central Bank. The ECB plans to move into its new headquarters by the end of 2014. Jens Meyer / AP Photo

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  A man works in a office room at the construction site of the new headquarters of the European Central Bank. Thomas Lohnes / Getty Images

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  Ever since the date of its creation in 1998, the European Central Bank has been searching for a home of its own away from the Bankenviertel, Frankfurt's busy financial hub. Thomas Lohnes / Getty Images

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  The new building of the European Central Bank is illuminated while dominating the skyline of Frankfurt. Frank Rumpenhorst / EPA

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  Journalists stand in the almost-finished meeting room of the new headquarters of the European Central Bank. Frank Rumpenhorst / EPA

Under current head Ms Lagarde, the central bank set up a €1.85 trillion ($2.1tn) bond purchase programme aimed at keeping borrowing costs down for companies so they can get through the worst of the pandemic.

In response to the pandemic, European Union governments have taken a further step toward economic and financial integration by agreeing to borrow money together for the €807 billion Next Generation EU recovery fund.

The fund aims to support the post-pandemic recovery by financing projects that help the economy to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide to fight climate change, and that support increasing use of digital technology.

Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, who heads the Eurogroup panel of finance ministers from the member countries, said that the currency “has strengthened its foundations over the last 20 years. It’s proven its mettle in dealing with great challenges and great crises".