Happy Thought for 24 July 2026

Have a Happy Thought:

If you haven’t had a good look at a banknote recently, you really should. There is some incredible artwork as well as security features, and it’s all fascinating.

(For example – did you know that New Zealand bank notes are actually printed in Canada?)

The European Union is doing a full re-design of the Euro. And for the first time, they’re proposing the possibility of “portrait” view… must be for the TikTok generation.

Either way you hold a banknote, some of the imagery, and the stories behind them, are amazing. Here’s just a quick sample – There are 10 Design profiles, each of which have six denominations… so lots to look at (and lots for you notaphilists to plan for your future collections!):


Image: Design A, focused on how culture is formed. In landscape mode.


 Image: Design B, focused on bird species in relation to its habitat. In landscape mode.

 

Image: Design D, with different denominations representing the journey of a river from mountain to sea. In portrait mode!

 

Image: Design G, which focuses on forging cultural identity and making Europe a place at the forefront of thought. Also in portrait mode.

 

Check out all the new designs, and if you are in the EU (or possibly just anywhere in the world), you can vote!

 

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