Question 1/4

When was the euro introduced?

In 1991

In 1999 as cash and in 2002 in electronic form

In 1999 both in electronic form and as cash

On 1 January 1999 in electronic form and on 1 January 2002 as cash

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The euro was born at midnight on 1 January 1999. Initially, it was just in electronic form, mainly used by banks and the financial markets. Twenty years later, we’re celebrating its birthday! We’ll have another good reason to celebrate in 2022 when it will be the 20th anniversary of euro banknotes and coins.

Question 2/4

Whose image appears as part of the new euro banknotes’ security features?

Beethoven’s (composer of the music to “Ode to Joy”)

Jean-Claude Trichet’s (former ECB President)

Europa’s (figure from Greek mythology)

Asterix’s (character from a series of French comics)

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The new euro banknotes feature an image of Europa. She is a figure from Greek mythology and the origin of our continent’s name. The image is taken from a vase that is over 2,000 years old. The vase was originally found in southern Italy and is now displayed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Question 3/4

What is the European Central Bank’s main task?

To manage European governments’ finances

To watch birds, particularly hawks and doves

To keep prices stable

To set the value of the euro in relation to other currencies, such as the US dollar and the Japanese yen

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Our main task is to keep prices stable in the euro area so that you are able to buy as much with your euros tomorrow as you can today. So far we have delivered on our mandate: inflation has averaged 1.7% since the birth of the euro!

Question 4/4

In which of these places outside Europe is the euro used?

Sri Lanka

Mauritius

Mayotte and La Réunion

Trinidad and Tobago

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If you travel to Mayotte or La Réunion it’s worth remembering that you can also use your euros there! These two islands, which are located in the Indian Ocean, are overseas departments of France where people also pay in euros.

Question 1/4

One of these statements about the euro symbol (€) is false – which one?

The symbol was inspired by the Greek letter epsilon

It refers to the first letter of the word “Europe”

The two parallel lines stand for the corridor defined by key ECB interest rates

In English the symbol is placed in front of the amount (e.g. €1)

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Although the ECB’s interest rates contribute to price stability in the euro area, they have nothing to do with the design of the euro symbol. The two parallel lines represent the currency’s stability. The Greek letter epsilon was chosen as a reference to the cradle of European civilisation.

Question 2/4

When euro banknotes and coins were brought into circulation on 1 January 2002, 14.9 billion banknotes were printed. If placed end to end, how far would you have to walk to collect them all?

From Frankfurt to Paris

From Frankfurt to Moscow

From the earth to the moon

From the earth to the moon and back two and a half times

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There’s no doubt that Paris and Moscow are brilliant destinations, however, to collect all the euro banknotes you’d actually have to walk from the earth to the moon and back two and half times. That’s a long walk… But you’d come back with banknotes worth €633 billion in your pocket!

Question 3/4

What is the Eurobarometer?

It’s an estimate of euro area inflation pressures

It’s an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure in Europe

It’s a survey that measures, among other things, people’s support for the euro

It’s one of the three interest rates set by the ECB

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It’s a survey that measures European people’s support for the euro, among other things. According to the autumn 2018 edition, support for the single currency stands at 75% in the euro area, the highest level since 2004. Thank you for supporting the euro!

Question 4/4

The foundation stone under the ECB’s main building in Frankfurt is filled with a number of interesting objects. Which of these items is not part of that collection?

The ECB’s first ten monetary policy decisions

A set of the building plans

Newspapers from the 27 countries that were members of the EU in 2010, when the foundation stone was laid

A set of euro banknotes

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Although the monetary policy decisions are fundamental, we don’t bury them under our building! In addition to the building’s plans, the newspapers and the banknotes, inside the stone there are also sets of euro coins from 16 countries that were part of the euro area in 2010, as well as a coin from the City of Frankfurt.

Question 1/4

What is the name of a tool the ECB uses to provide information about its future monetary policy intentions?

Eurovision

Macroeconomic projections

Forward guidance

The asset purchase programme

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We use forward guidance to communicate our policy intentions. This tool makes our policy more effective and helps us to achieve our main objective of serving people by keeping prices stable across the euro area.

Question 2/4

One of these statements about the new €100 and €200 banknotes is false – which one?

There are small € symbols inside each banknote’s enhanced emerald number

At the top of the silvery stripe there is a satellite hologram that shows small € symbols that move around the number

They will start circulating on 28 May 2019

They will be followed by a new €500

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They will not be followed by a new €500. In 2016 the ECB decided to permanently stop producing the €500 banknote and to exclude it from the Europa series.

Question 3/4

What was Mario Draghi’s message at the Global Investment Conference in London on 26 July 2012?

The ECB will raise interest rates in August

The ECB is ready to do whatever it takes to preserve the euro within its mandate

The ECB will assume its banking supervision responsibilities in November 2012

The Eurosystem has launched a new payment system called TARGET3 and it’s working well

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He said: “Within our mandate, the ECB is ready to do whatever it takes to preserve the euro. And believe me, it will be enough.” Mr Draghi is said to have restored confidence in the euro with this powerful message.

Question 4/4

When the name of the single currency was chosen in 1995, which of the following names was never considered?

Florin

Ducat

Belle

Franken

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Florin, ducat and franken were considered but rejected because of their national connotations. And who is Belle? She’s our favourite cat! You’ll find her on our Twitter account.