Wild proposals to redesign the euro banknotes

Animals, flowers and monuments: the most radical proposals for the euro banknotes

While the European Central Bank puts the finishing touches to the new banknote series, a thread online has brought forward alternatives that break with official sobriety. The suggestions range from animals and flowers to monuments, paintings and cathedrals, in a clear reaction against what some consider a bland, characterless design.

From birds to cathedrals: the alternative catalogue

Among the most discussed options are themed series: one dedicated to Iberian wildlife, another to native flora, and proposals ranging from iconic monuments to reproductions of famous paintings. There has even been joking about including the face of a popular figure nicknamed "Paco I de España", mixing humour with a claim to identity. The variety of ideas reflects a desire for banknotes to represent something more than a generic European style.

Frustration with the official design

The main criticism is aimed at the current aesthetics of the banknotes, openly described as "mediocre" in some quarters. The argument goes that the abstract windows and doors, however elegant, fail to convey the cultural richness of the member countries. By contrast, the alternative proposals seek to connect with citizens through recognisable symbols. However, the ECB has announced that the new series will keep a neutral approach, prioritising security over personalisation.

The paradox is that, while citizens' creativity overflows, the monetary institution opts for prudence. The dilemma between identity and the European standard remains open.