Talk:European Federation Currency

Coinage

Did Christophe ever say if the money for northern and southern france are 2 separate issues with the same value or if they are the same with 2 different names. Also, shouldn't Andorra use the southern one (unless of course there was some specific reason for it). (MP)

As I reacall, Germany is the only country with two differing issues. The French case is one of linguistic difference: sous/soles, deniers/denars. The abbreviations that would be used on the coins and notes work for both, so there'ld be no need for two different coinages. [PB]

I figure Andorra would de facto use both the Southern French and the Aragonese currencise, but have a small coinage of their own, which would probably tend to be snatched up by collectors, like the Euro coins *here* of small nations like Monaco Nik 19:59, 4 November 2005 (PST)

That is very sensible, and of course forms one of the main industries in such a small country.

I could be wrong but would assume both parts of France use the same currency but with different names. Christophe once compared france *there* to Belgium so although the country is divided in some matters, it is probably more in terms of cultures (and related powers) then in terms of sovereign rights. - March pasquin

Does that mean that, for example, a coin might say both "Un sou" and "Un sol", or "1 sou" and "1 sol" if numerals are preferred? (assuming I have the right word for "one" and the right singular form)

That is certainly a possiblity. Belgium has had dual-language issues. There is absolutely no reason why France can't if they want to. I agree with Marc in that France's currency is one currency with two (or possibly more) names. [PB]

Overall Questions

Are banknotes issued by each nation's central bank, or by a central European bank? Do the coins have a common side like *here*'s Euro coins? When was the currency union established? These are things that should probably be discussed on the page Nik 19:59, 4 November 2005 (PST)

More questions - is there no ½d coins? What about 6d? 2s or 2s 6d?

What is the format for writing figures? Is it £1/2/6 or is it £1 2s 6d? Or both? Nik 20:03, 4 November 2005 (PST)

The European Federation issues all coin and currency through the Central Bank (a top level organisation that rests above and regulates all the national banking systems of the member countries). The physical striking of coins and printing of notes is taken care of by the formerly nationally owned and controlled mints, bureaux of printing, etc.

The EF was, after several years of negotiations, constituted as the Unified Currency Convention in 1988. The currency itself was unveiled in 1994 and 1995, and was implemented on 1 Jan 1996. For the most part, the EF Central Bank has stipulated that the following coins denominations are to be considered "typical": ½, 1, 3, 6 pence; 1, 5 and 10 shillings; 1 pound. Notes are 1, 5, 10, 20, 100 and 200 pounds. Some countries are producing odd denominations, such as Castile and Leon's 3 escudo note. These things are discussed on the Currency page, one of the very first IB pages ever: <http://www.geocities.com/elemtilas/ill_bethisad/currency.htm>, including WRITING OUT VALUES , though that is really specific to Britain/Commonwealth. Other countries usages may vary. "£1 2s 6d" is not wrong, and I've seen values written out that way. [PB]

Pre-EF Pound values

EF Pound values 640 silver gr, so as its constituent currencies. But how much did these worth before EF Pound was established? I think it is needed a list of historical values for all these currencies.--Pedromoderno 15:33, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

I'd guess that many countries would have the same historical currencies as *here*. Benkarnell 17:19, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

Roughly, yes; though obviously without the decimalisation that occured *here*. So, there would have been French livres and Spanish pesetas and German thalers before there was an EF, but their valuations would have been unstandardised with respect to each other. I don't have the figures right to hand, so can't quote numbers. It is just like the relative values of 1 deutschmark versus 1 french franc versus 1 italian lira -- the DM had a fairly high value, the franc a little less and the lira was close to worthless. Once they all accepted euronification, the old currencies became demonetised and the new one took its place. *There*, the old pre-EF currencies likewise became demonetised in favour of the new standard.

I can work on a historical list of such. Elemtilas 19:51, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

Luxemburg used the French livre until 1871, then the Prussian/German thaler after joining the North German Confederation. Wikipedia says that Louis 16 established 51/2/3 to the mark. The Vereinsthaler was likely the German and Austrian currency; however, it was defined using metrics. The old Prussian thaler was 14 to the mark. Benkarnell 20:42, 28 January 2009 (UTC)