The first set of potential banknotes features American-Greek opera singer Maria Callas, German composer Beethoven, French-Polish scientist Marie Curie-Skłodowska, Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci, and Austrian pacifist Bertha von Suttner. The reverse of the notes depicts generic European cultural spaces including libraries, universities and public squares.
The ECB said the figures represent “iconic European personalities who have contributed to building Europe’s cultural heritage” whose accomplishments “resonated around the world.”
Wildlife fans can instead go for the option featuring rivers and birds, which the ECB says “highlights the resilience and diversity of Europe’s natural ecosystems” to showcase “the importance of nature and environmental protection.”
Those note designs feature such combinations as a mountain spring with a wallcreeper, a waterfall with a kingfisher, a confined river valley with bee-eaters, a meandering river with a white stork, a river mouth and an avocet, and a seascape with a Northern gannet. The reverse depicts EU institutional buildings such as the European Parliament and European Commission.
In a twist of fate, the eurozone and Britain could both end up with kingfishers on their legal tender, as the Bank of England has also put forward a series of animals for a public vote.
The ECB shortlisted ten design proposals which the public can give feedback on until September 21.