Coins
Russian Duma turns down precious metals coins bill
RUSSIA - Russia's State Duma, the lower chamber, turned down Friday a bill allowing circulation of coins made of precious metals as the legal tender along with the banknotes and coins issued by the Central Bank of Russia, or CBR.
ECB Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - ECB recognises partners' valuable contribution to the smooth introduction of the euro banknotes and coins 5 February.
ECB head predicts harmonisation call
EUROPE - Wim Duisenberg, European Central Bank president, yesterday forecast the introduction of euro notes and coins would lead to public demand for more harmonisation in the European Union, with particular focus on taxes.
Singapore's MAS to issue currency notes, coins
SINGAPORE - The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will expand its responsibilities to include the issuance of currency notes and coins from March next year, officials said Wednesday.
Let pounds and euros compete
ARTICLE - For well over a decade there has been a ceaseless political battle over whether Britain ought to join the euro. The introduction of euro notes and coins at the beginning of this year has raised the decibel level of the controversy but has not…
Euros become majority currency in Ireland
IRELAND - The amount of euros in circulation has for the first time surpassed the amount of pounds in circulation, according to latest figures from the Central Bank of Ireland. At close of business on Thursday, the Central Bank had issued 148 million…
China mulls boosting euro reserves
CHINA - Just as the initial euphoria from the introduction of notes and coins wears off, the euro has received a boost from news that China could be buying more euros to reduce its reliance on the dollar.
5m euros are stolen in three months
EUROPE - Armed gangs and other criminals have stolen Euros 5m ( £3.1m) in the three months since minting and printing of euro notes and coins began, and the situation is set to worsen, European police have warned.
Germans snap up euro kits
GERMANY - Euro coins have gone on sale in Germany, accompanied by celebrations in several major cities.
First euro coins to be rolled out today
NETHERLANDS - Preparations for the changeover to euro notes and coins take a key psychological step forward today as citizens of France, Ireland and the Netherlands become the first in the eurozone to get their hands on the new euro coins.
Speech by Governor of the National Bank of Belgium
SPEECH - Speech by Guy Quaden, Governor of the National Bank of Belgium in Ottawa, 30 November. In the speech titled 'The Monetary Policy of the European Central Bank and the Economic outlook in the Euro Area' Guy Quaden said that the introduction of…
Distribution of euros to start tomorrow
GERMANY - The mass distribution in Europe of new cash in euros begins tomorrow, when France, the Netherlands and Ireland begin to sell packets of euro coins to the public. Other countries will follow in the days ahead.
Spain to greet euro with video projection, TV show
SPAIN - Spain will welcome euro notes and coins 31 December 2001 with a television show and coordinated video projections in major squares across the country.
ECB holds rates steady
EUROPE - The European Central Bank (ECB) has left its key interest rate unchanged at 3.25% on Thursday at its last meeting before the introduction of euro notes and coins in January.
ECB Noyer - Little M3 impact from euro changeover
GERMANY - European Central Bank Vice President Christian Noyer said Thursday that the bank doesn't expect the changeover to euro notes and coins next year to have a significant impact on M3 money supply growth.
ECB post findings on how rate moves affect economy
GERMANY - Ordinary Europeans may quickly get used to the new euro notes and coins that begin circulating in a few weeks, but it may be years before the European Central Bank fully understands the functioning of the new economy created by the common…
Euro changeover may affect Sterling exchange rate
JAPAN - The introduction of euro notes and coins may have implications for the euro-sterling exchange rate, according to Bank of England's director for Europe, John Townend who was speaking in Tokyo.
Row threatens Finland's euro launch
FINLAND - A row between banks and retailers in Finland is threatening to disrupt the launch euro notes and coins.
Brussels more confident of successful euro switch
EUROPE - With euro notes and coins less than 50 days away, the European Commission yesterday expressed optimism about a successful changeover from national currencies. The latest monthly Eurobarometer survey registered growing understanding of the single…
Armenia central bank puts silver coins into system
ARMENIA - The Central Bank of Armenia has put into circulation 170 silver and 30 gilded coins with denomination of 100 AMD on 6 November 2001.
Error rate high with euro notes trial in France
FRANCE - Two months before euro notes and coins come into circulation, the financial community is concerned that cashiers in shops and banks will not be ready to use euros and detect fake notes from 1 January.
Austrian mint ready to recycle notes and coins
AUSTRIA - Austrian federal mint Muenze Oesterreich, a subsidiary of central bank Oesterreichische Nationalbank (ONB), is preparing to begin melting down schilling coins following the introduction of the euro on 1 January.
BNM commemorative coins for sale
MALAYSIA - Coin collectors interested in buying previous issues of commemorative coins produced by Bank Negara Malaysia will have the final chance to do so until year-end.
Dutch plan euro giveaway
NETHERLANDS - On 1 January 2002 the euro finally becomes legal tender in 12 different countries. More than 15 billion euro notes and 50 billion coins will be delivered to banks around Europe over the next few weeks in preparation.