Future euro banknote design proposals

The European Central Bank has unveiled shortlisted ideas for a future redesign of the euro banknotes, inviting the public to weigh in on what their cash could look like next. On paper, it’s a polished civic exercise: artists from across Europe pitching themes like culture, shared identity, and rivers and birds. In the comments, though, the mood is much less stately and a lot more, “wait… why is it all just the same people or the same birds?”

That question became the big community complaint. Several readers felt the options looked oddly narrow, with too many portrait-heavy concepts and too many bird-centered ones, as if Europe had only two visual ideas left. Others grumbled that many of the designs were too busy, too colorful, or just didn’t feel like real money. One popular opinion: the more traditional notes with buildings still win because they feel timeless, familiar, and less like collectible art cards. Another commenter helpfully dropped a better all-in-one page so everyone could browse the contenders more easily before judging.

And yes, the jokes arrived instantly. One savage commenter mocked the whole exercise by comparing it to parliament cleaners randomly submitting economic policy ideas. Another hinted the truly elite designs were the ones that got left out entirely, linking to a cheeky post with a wink. So while officials are talking about symbolism and cultural exchange, the public debate is veering somewhere much more entertaining: Should money look classic, weird, or memeable?