Leonardo, Callas, Beethoven and Curie to Adorn New Euro Banknotes

The European Central Bank has selected 'European Culture' and 'Rivers and Birds' as themes for new euro banknotes entering circulation from 2027. Leonardo da Vinci will appear on the €100 note, Maria Callas on €5, Ludwig van Beethoven on €10, Marie Curie on €20, Miguel de Cervantes on €50, and Bertha von Suttner on €200. The nature-themed series features a mountain spring and wallcreeper (€5), a waterfall and kingfisher (€10), a river valley and bee-eaters (€20), a winding river and white stork (€50), a river estuary and avocet (€100), and a marine environment with northern gannet (€200). Reverse sides depict European institutions: European Parliament, European Commission, European Central Bank, Court of Justice of the European Union, Council of the European Union, and European Court of Auditors. A graphic design competition will be held in 2025, with a panel of experts shortlisting designs and a public survey gathering preferences. The ECB Governing Council will approve final designs in 2026. The decision was announced on November 29, 2023.