For the visually impaired

"A good design for the blind and partially sighted is a good design for everybody." This was the principle behind the close cooperation with the European Blind Union (EBU) during the currency design phase in the 1990s. It led to the development of euro banknotes and coins with features that visually impaired people can handle with confidence. For further information on this cooperation, please see EBU.

Banknotes

Features include:

• Different sizes: the higher the value, the bigger the banknote.
• Striking colours: neighbouring denominations have clearly contrasting colours. The €5 banknote is grey and the €10 is red. The €20 is blue, followed by an orange €50 and a green €100 banknote. The €200 banknote is yellow-brown, the €500 banknote is purple.
• Large value numerals.
• Raised print, which is easy to feel.
• Tactile marks near the edges of the €200 and €500 banknotes. There are no such marks on the €100 banknote, which is of the same width as the higher-value notes.

Coins

Features include:

• Different sizes, shapes, colours and edges.
• Different weights – the higher the value, the heavier the coin (except for the €1 coin).
• Different thicknesses – the higher the value, the thicker the coin (except for the €2 and €1 coins).
• Clearly displayed values on the European side of the coins.

Different edges

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  €2 coins have characters struck into the finely-ridged edge.
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  €1 coins have three finely-ridged sections interspersed with three smooth sections along the edge.
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  50 and 10 cent coins have fine scallops along the edge.
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  20 cent coins are smooth and have seven indents along the edge ("Spanish flower shape").
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  5 and 1 cent coins have a smooth edge.
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  2 cent coins are smooth and have a groove along the edge.
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