New coin designs get round problems

Date: 22/05/1997

By Tim Jones

A DEAL has been struck to end the long-running dispute over the design of Europe's eight single currency coins.

After allaying Swedish fears that nickel coins would provoke widespread skin allergies, and altering the design to make the pieces distinct enough for Europe's blind and visually impaired citizens, the European Commission is now on course to have the blueprints ready in time for the Amsterdam summit in mid-June.

Economics Commissioner Yves-Thibault de Silguy will announce plans to design, mint and distribute the one, two, five, ten, 20 and 50-cent coins and the one and two-euro pieces at next week's meeting of the Commission.

When the original proposals were published last autumn, the European Blind Union (EBU) campaigned against them, claiming they took little account of the needs of the blind and visually impaired.

But the EU's vending machine manufacturers, who had argued for the new coins to be as round and as close to each other in size as possible, welcomed the proposals.

Following consultations, all of the coins have been given a distinct nature. Some will have rough edges (or 'milling'), some will have fine milling and others will be smooth, while the 20-cent coin will have a distinctively different design.

At a round-table meeting organised by the Commission last week, mint directors charged with carrying out the technical design work presented representatives of the two sides with as many as 20 different samples from which to choose.

Once again, the vending-machine manufacturers opted for a round coin while consumer groups and representatives of the visually impaired plumped for a seven-sided coin.

It now looks likely that the Commission will suggest a compromise whereby the 20-cent coin will be a so-called 'Spanish flower' - essentially round but marked with five deep nicks around the edge, giving it the shape of a flower.

The blind lobby, while not entirely happy with the outcome, is pleased that its campaign has resulted in design changes.

“Our concern is that this was a missed opportunity,” said Stephen King, the EBU's representative at the talks. “They could have used shape for more effectively differentiating the coins since you should be able to put your hand in your pocket or your purse and recognise the coin without having to refer it to something else.”

Even the Swedes, who held out for a surprisingly long time in favour of their nickel-free coins, are relatively content with the steps the Commission has taken to placate them.

The results of the competition to choose the picture for the side of the coins are due to be announced when EU finance ministers meet on 9 June. A short-list of designs has been drawn up and an opinion poll carried out to gauge the public's

reaction to them. The other side of the coins will be left for national symbols.