ECB The Euro

Client

European Central Bank

Year

2026

Location

Frankfurt

The euro connects millions across Europe — a shared currency that fosters trust, stability and unity. For the ECB Visitor Centre, we created a new exhibition area dedicated to this idea. At its core, an oversized 20-euro banknote invites visitors to explore design, security features, production, history and their own relationship with cash.

Banknote Lab

At an interactive lab station, visitors explore the design and security features of euro banknotes. Through hands-on elements, they learn how to distinguish real notes from counterfeits. Physical stations invite close inspection, while a digital game challenges visitors to uncover counterfeits across multiple difficulty levels.

Wheel of Coins

Each euro coin tells a national story. In a large mechanical wheel, visitors can rotate and explore all 21 coin designs up close. A magnifier reveals fine details, while a digital game invites users to match each coin to its country — turning observation into playful discovery.

Legacy Banknotes

Before the euro, each country had its own currency, rich in cultural identity. A wall of glass panels displays these legacy banknotes, visible from both sides. The installation reveals the diversity of European design and illustrates the transition toward a shared monetary system.

Production of a Banknote

Glass vitrines guide visitors through the production and lifecycle of a euro banknote — from cotton to finished currency. Along the way, withdrawn and counterfeit notes are displayed, explaining quality control, security, and the reasons why banknotes are taken out of circulation.

Lifecycle of Euro Banknotes

A large-scale installation visualises the journey of a banknote across Europe — from production to circulation and return. Physical models mark key stages, while digital stations offer insights into printing facilities and invite visitors to explore where their own banknotes originate.