1999 sees the introduction of the euro, the common currency of 11 European Union nations. The symbol for this currency unit, on the right in the above image, is not generally contained within computer fonts. You can download a TrueType one here which contains the euro symbol (or Symbole de l'Euro). It is shareware.
Netscape users should hold <Shift> and click on "Download". Download "euromu__.ttf"!
Once you have downloaded it you need to install it using your operating system's font installation procedures. In Windows 3.1 run the Control Panel and select Fonts, click on "Add" and select the directory or folder you downloaded this into. Click on the EuroMatchUnregistered.
To use the character select the EuroMatchUnregistered font and type a capital "A", or type the "A", select it and change the font. "@" gives the 12 star symbol from the EU flag as seen on the left in the graphic above. The font also contains numerals and other currency symbols. You can use a program such as Character Map (in Windows) to explore the font and copy characters into your documents.
From a information within the file, the complete font, which contains euro symbols to match a wide range of fonts is available from Match Software of West Hollywood, CA, USA. Visit http://www.matchfonts.com or phone +1 213 656 4244 .
Like many currencies, the euro is divided into 100 cents, also called "eurocents". Notes and coins will not be issued until two years after the currency was introduced. However it is used for much commercial trading, and in consumer credit card and cheque transactions. If you are buying from a company within participation countries, and possibly elsewhere in the EU you can specify that the credit card or cheque transaction be in euros or that country's currency.
If you consider Maastricht, the city where the EMU treaty was signed you will see why the euro is and will be so useful in everyday European life. This small city is on the River Maas in the Netherlands. The town centre is 2km from the border with Belgium. Many locals travel roughly 30km to shop in the nearest German city, while visiting France or Luxembourg may be part of a day's outing.
Understanding the euro edited by Andrew Duff with a foreword by Kenneth Clark. Paperback Trade US$15.96 ISBN 0901573728 Buy from amazon.com.
What every business needs to know about the euro by Simon Sear. Hardcover US$43.95 ISBN 0566081954 Buy from amazon.com.
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