The Euro: How Was It Invented? Historical Overview

The Euro is one of the most effective currencies around the globe which is associated with the European identity. Before becoming one of the most important systems of money the Euro went through quite grueling obstacles, but managed to overcome them. If you are curious about how the Euro has gained the leading position in the global market, today’s article will be useful for you. 

What is the Euro?

The Euro is the shared currency of the European Union (EU) that was developed to promote economic and monetary unity among its member nations. Introduced in 1999 as a digital currency for accounting purposes and electronic transactions, the Euro became a tangible currency in the form of coins and banknotes in 2002. 

Initially, it supplanted the national currencies of 12 EU countries before gradually expanding to include more nations. The Euro is overseen by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the broader Eurosystem, comprising the central banks of the eurozone countries. 

United Europe

The concept of a unified European currency traces back to the 1960s when the European Commission advocated for tighter economic policy alignment and monetary collaboration among the European Economic Community (EEC) members, the EU’s precursor. 

In 1970, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Pierre Werner proposed a plan to establish an Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) by 1980, featuring a common currency and a central bank. However, this plan was postponed due to the Bretton Woods system’s collapse, which tied major currencies to the US dollar. 

En route to verification 

In the second part of the 20th century, three main steps were taken to unite the economics of European countries:

1️⃣ The European Monetary System (EMS) was established in 1979 to stabilize EEC currencies and reduce inflation. It introduced the European Currency Unit (ECU), a basket of currencies serving as a benchmark for the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM). The ERM constrained the fluctuations of EEC currencies within a specific range, necessitating central bank interventions to maintain exchange rates. Both the EMS and the ERM were precursors to the EMU and the Euro.

2️⃣ The Single European Act of 1986 aimed to create a single market within the EEC by 1992, requiring the removal of Trade barriers and the harmonization of economic and fiscal policies. This increased the need for a single currency, as exchange rate variations and transaction costs obstructed the European economy’s integration and competitiveness.

3️⃣ The Maastricht Treaty of 1991 formalized the EU and outlined the criteria and timeline for the EMU and Euro’s creation. The treaty mandated three stages for EMU implementation: the first stage (1990-1993) focused on capital mobility and economic policy coordination; the second stage (1994-1998) saw the establishment of the European Monetary Institute (EMI), the precursor to the ECB, and the convergence of EU countries’ economic and monetary policies; and the third stage (1999 onward) involved the irreversible fixing of exchange rates, the introduction of the Euro, and the transfer of monetary policy authority to the ECB.

The Maastricht Treaty also established the convergence criteria for EU countries wishing to join the EMU and adopt the Euro, including low and stable inflation and interest rates, a sustainable budget deficit and public debt, and a stable exchange rate within the ERM. Some countries, like the UK and Denmark, were given the option to opt out of the EMU and the Euro. 

Currency for united nations  

By 1998, 11 EU countries – Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain – met the EMU and Euro criteria, with their exchange rates fixed on December 31, 1998. Greece joined the eurozone in 2001 upon fulfilling the convergence criteria. 

The Euro was launched as a virtual currency on January 1, 1999, with the ECB assuming monetary policy responsibilities for the eurozone. Coins and banknotes were introduced on January 1, 2002, and the national currencies of the eurozone countries ceased to be legal tender. As of 2024, the eurozone includes 20 countries. 

The Euro today 

The Euro is a pivotal and influential global currency, embodying the EU’s economic and political integration. It also symbolizes European identity and values, such as democracy, human rights, and solidarity. 

Despite facing numerous challenges, including the global financial crisis, the sovereign debt crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Euro has demonstrated resilience and adaptability. It continues to evolve in response to the changing needs and aspirations of European citizens and the global community. 

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