The 0 Euro Note: A Unique Specialty of Europe
The 0 Euro banknote is perhaps one of the most unique items in the European Union. In terms of security features designed to prevent counterfeiting, it is similar to other “real” currency notes: it has a watermark, UV ink, holograms, and microprinting…
The 0 Euro note is printed like real money.
These notes are fully authorized by the European Central Bank, and without the identifying number 0, one could easily confuse it with actual Euro banknotes such as the 5 Euro or 20 Euro notes.
What Are 0 Euro Notes and Why Do They Exist?
The Euro is a special type of currency, as it is not merely the currency of a single nation, but rather a common currency for a region comprising many different countries – the European Union.
Despite the cultural, geographical, and historical diversity of the countries in the region, Euro banknotes can be quite dull, currently consisting of only six official denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 Euro notes. Prior to 2013, there was also a 500 Euro note, but it was discontinued in the second issuance.
The denominations of Euro currency.
Furthermore, to prevent favoritism when one country is represented on the note while another is not, the decorative designs and symbols on these six official banknotes are all… fictional structures.
This choice may seem odd, as in most countries, banknotes feature prominent figures and landmarks. However, it is the fairest and most reasonable choice for such a diverse area as the EU.
They also cannot print hundreds of different versions of the banknotes, each depicting a landmark from different countries, as this would confuse tourists and even EU residents. Moreover, this option would pose a significant risk of unmanageable counterfeiting.
Thus, the 0 Euro note was created solely as a souvenir to allow Europe to promote its images and notable figures without affecting the official currency used in economic activities.
The 0 Euro note is printed for tourism promotion.
Its origin traces back to France in 2015 when Richard Faille, the creator of popular souvenir currency in France, decided to create the 0 Euro note to promote tourism. This banknote is printed at a private authorized facility and shares many characteristics with real Euro currency, except that it is marked with a “0” and is checked to ensure it cannot circulate as legal tender.
The front of all 0 Euro notes is the same, featuring a white number 0 followed by the Euro symbol to indicate no financial value. Next (from left to right) are images of the Brandenburg Gate, Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, the Sagrada Familia, Manneken Pis, and the Mona Lisa – symbols of the continent.
The front of the 0 Euro note.
Originally created for tourism and promotional purposes, the 0 Euro note quickly became a sort of “encyclopedia” of Europe and a rich, interesting collection source for collectors.
Interesting Facts About the 0 Euro Note
With the aim of promotion and collecting, it’s no surprise that since its inception, the 0 Euro note has come in thousands of different versions, and each country has its special versions.
A YouTuber named Chris has diligently collected 0 Euro notes from various European countries. In France, the note featuring the Arc de Triomphe is sold right at the tourist site it promotes. Additionally, two notes featuring the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur and the Eiffel Tower are unique in that they are made of polymer instead of the paper used for regular Euro notes.
The 0 Euro note featuring the Arc de Triomphe. The symbol in the upper right corner depicts the Eiffel Tower from an aerial view.
Another interesting feature is that the watermark and hologram on the 0 Euro notes depict the Eiffel Tower from a top-down view.
The Rarest 0 Euro Note?
For collectors, rare notes always hold a unique allure, and the 0 Euro note, created for entertainment and pure collection, is no exception. The rarest version of the 0 Euro note is said to be the one featuring Marineland aquarium in France, depicting two dolphins leaping out of the water.
The 0 Euro note that is considered the rarest today.
In 2015, shortly after this currency was released, Marineland suffered a severe flood that resulted in the loss of many marine animals. However, the significant additional damage was to the printing machine for the aforementioned 0 Euro note, and thus no more Marineland notes have been produced since that flood.
According to Chris, the number of 0 Euro notes featuring dolphins is now very scarce, causing its market price to soar “like a rocket.”
The UK Also Has a 0 Euro Note
Another interesting fact is that although the UK has never used the official Euro and has continued to use the Pound featuring Queen Elizabeth II, it still has a 0 Euro note from the time it was part of the European Union.
The 0 Euro note commemorating the 2018 World Cup in England.
Some landmarks depicted on the UK’s 0 Euro note include Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and even the famous Titanic ship.
Besides the UK, which was a member of the EU, several other European countries also possess their own 0 Euro notes despite not being part of the European Union, such as Iceland, Norway, and Russia. Additionally, some countries that are EU members but do not use the official Euro also have this special souvenir note, including Poland, the Czech Republic, and Sweden.
