Primitive man don’t use money
They use the barten: they exchange animals, metals or objects made of metals.
In Medieval time people start to use pieces of metal: the coin
For many centuries coins remain a kind of barter
When the coins become day after day more important, people make them with gold and silver
As a consequence of this fact the paper money is born
From this moment, each nation coin its currency but it is valid only in that nation and when people move from one nation to another one they need to change their money in the currency of the state they are going to visit
So, some nations think to start using the same currency: at this point the real history of Euro currency begins‌
…and it is a very long way
Since the end of the sixties, one of the main aims of EU countries is the creation of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). In October 1962, Heads of State and Governments of the European Community meet in Paris and establish a monetary union of the European countries In 1979 the creation of the European Monetary System (EMS) stabilises the exchange rates between European currencies
In 1988 Jaques Delors (President of the European Commission) suggests to adopt a common monetary policy and to substitute the national currencies with the euro
The first stage begins in July 1990. In December 1991, the European Council in Maastricht decides to adopt a single currency in Europe
In 1995 the European Council in Madrid establishes the official name and the schedule for single currency
The EU Members agree to adopt the euro from 1st of January 1999
These countries are: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, lreland, ltaly, Luxemburg, Holland, Portugal and Spain
The euro is officially introduced on 1st of January 1999
On 1st of January 2001 euro banknotes and coins appear in various countries, and after a “transitory phase� of two months the lira is gradually replaced by the euro
For a period both currencies are accepted and used
But, from 1st of March 2002, the lira and the other 11 national currencies stop to be legal money
From this day, the euro officially becomes the only currency in 12 countries of Europe