Special Eurobarometer 287
European
Commission
National sides of euro coins
Full report
Fieldwork May-June 2007
Special Eurobarometer 287 / Wave 67.3 – TNS Opinion & Social
Report September 2007
This survey was requested by Directorate General Economics and Finance and
coordinated by Directorate General Communication
This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission.
The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 2
MAIN FINDINGS.......................................................................................... 3
1. KNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNITION OF EURO COINS ................................... 4
1.1 Awareness that one side is national, one side common ....................... 4
1.2 Recognition of national coin sides....................................................... 7
1.3 Non-euro coins and coin-like objects in practice ............................... 13
2. IDENTIFYING FACE VALUE IN PRACTICE ............................................... 15
2.1 Identification exercise using real coins ............................................. 15
2.2 Need for coin-turning in order to identify face value ......................... 17
3. OPINION ON NATIONAL SIDES OF EURO COINS .................................... 24
3.1 Evaluation of the principle of national sides ...................................... 24
3.2 Preferences on extent of homogeneity and national variation ........... 32
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................ 38
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INTRODUCTION
The euro was introduced as the single currency, in non-physical form, of 11 EU
member states in January 1999, with Greece joining the euro area in January 2001
In these 12 countries, euro coins and notes came into circulation from the beginning
of 2002. With Slovenia joining the euro area in January 20071, it is now the official
currency of 13 EU member states: Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France,
Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Finland.
In 2008, this will increase with the adoption of the euro in Cyprus and Malta.
This survey deals specifically with issues related to euro coins, of which there were
€18 billion worth in circulation at the end of February 20072. Responsibility for
producing and issuing euro coins lies with the national central banks of Member
States (subject to approval by the European Central Bank of the overall issue
volume). Currently, one side of each euro coin denomination represents a national
design of the issuing country, with the other side consistent across all countries in
the euro area. In this sense, coins differ from euro banknotes, which are issued
under the authority of the European Central Bank and are identical across the euro
area.
In order to ensure a degree of coherence across countries, the European Council
declared a moratorium on circulation euro coins until the end of 2008. This means
that the standard national side cannot change except if the Head of State depicted
on a coin changes or if a country wishes to issue a commemorative edition of a 2
euro coin.
As this moratorium approaches its expiry, the European Commission will prepare a
review of the current rules and examine whether they should be extended or
whether a different practice should be introduced for the period after 2008. A
Commission Communication issued to mark the fifth anniversary of the introduction
of euro banknotes and coins states:
The Council's future decision on the national sides of euro circulation coins, which
should be taken before the moratorium's expiry at the end of 2008, is a very
important one which should be carefully prepared. The Commission will launch a
survey in the course of 2007 among the euro-area population in order to collect
people's views and preferences in this respect. 3
The above mentioned survey was commissioned by the Economics and Finance
Directorate-General of the European Commission and as well as dealing with opinions
on national sides, it also tests citizens’ knowledge and awareness of euro coins.
1
2
In Slovenia, the euro was introduced as legal tender on January 1st, 2007.
The €uro: Our currency / Facts and figures / End-February 2007
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/notes_and_coins/documents/factandfig_en.pdf
3
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic
and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Central Bank: Five years of euro
banknotes and coins
{SEC(2006) 1786}
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2006/com2006_0862en01.doc
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This document is a full report on the results of the survey. In this report we concisely
present the results from the survey, concentrating mainly on data at an overall level
across the euro-area countries. Where there are considerable differences between
individual countries or socio-demographic groups these are noted. Such differences
will be explored in greater depth in the full report to follow, along with an analysis of
how awareness of and attitudes towards euro coins are influenced by wider opinions
on the euro and the EU.
The survey was carried out by TNS Opinion & Social, interviewing 13 201 citizens in
the 13 Member States constituting the euro area. Interviewing was conducted
between the 25th of May and the 30th of June 2007. The methodology used is that
of Eurobarometer surveys as carried out by the Directorate General for
Communication (Unit for Public Opinion and Media Monitoring). A technical note on
the manner in which interviews were conducted by the Institutes within the TNS
Opinion & Social network will be appended as an annex to this report. This note will
indicate the interview methods and the confidence intervals.
MAIN FINDINGS
● Almost three-quarters (73%) are aware that one side of euro coins is common to
all issuing countries and that the other side is specific;
● Well over half of the respondents say that it is a good thing to have national sides
differing from country to country (57%), while only a small minority say it is a bad
thing (9%), with the rest expressing no opinion (34%).
● Of those holding this positive opinion, the main reason is that it is seen as an
expression of Europe’s cultural diversity (65%).
● There is a low level of support for both the idea of granting the freedom to
introduce new national designs at any time (37%) and the idea of having two
common sides across the euro area (30%).
● When presented with a set of images of euro coin national sides - some real, some
fake - between 59% and 78% of respondents overall correctly identify which sides
are real, while 38% to 51% correctly identify which sides are fake.
● Around one-fifth (22%) say that they always or frequently have to turn euro coins
in order to ascertain their value, around one-third (36%) say they never have to turn
them and 40% that they occasionally have to turn them.
● The most problematic coins for face-value identification are the low-value red
coins.
● 3 in 10 (30%) believe that in place of a real euro coin they have, at some point,
accepted a non-euro coin/coin-like object, but most on only one or a few occasions
(27%). Only a very small minority have experienced this on many occasions (3%).
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1. Knowledge and recognition of euro coins
In this section, we deal with three aspects of how the euro-area public relates to
euro coins.
Firstly, their awareness of the general way in which coins are designed, with one
national side and one common side; Secondly, the ability of the public to identify
genuine and false national sides; Thirdly, the extent to which respondents believe
that they have mistakenly accepted non-euro coins or coin-like like objects in place
of a genuine coin.
1.1 Awareness that one side is national, one side common
Respondents were asked a question to test their knowledge of the basic design
principle of euro coins – i.e. that for each denomination one side remains common to
all countries of the euro area, whilst the other side varies according to the issuing
country4.
They were also given two false statements – that both sides of euro coins are the
same regardless of the issuing country and that both sides very depending on the
issuing country.
- Nearly three quarters are aware that one side of the euro side is national,
the other side universal Results show a very high level of awareness regarding the sides of euro
coins. Almost three-quarters (73%) identify the correct statement, with 14%
wrongly selecting the statement that both sides differ from one country to the next
and just 4% thinking that coins are the same regardless of issuing country.
QE1 In your opinion, which of the three following statements on euro
coins is the correct one?
- % euro area
There is no
'common side' of
euro coins; both
sides are
different
depending on the
issuing country
14%
DK
9%
Both sides of
euro coins are
the same
regardless of the
issuing country
4%
Euro coins have
one side that is
common to all
countries issuing
euro coins and
one side that is
specific to the
issuing country
73%
4
QE1. In your opinion, which of the three following statements on euro coins is the correct one?
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- The highest awareness is found in Finland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg
and Denmark Amongst individual countries, the highest awareness is found in Finland (87% giving
correct answer), followed by the Netherlands (86%), Luxembourg and Germany
(both 85%).
Awareness is somewhat lower in Italy, where the proportion giving the correct
answer falls to 55%. Here, almost a quarter (24%) are of the belief that both sides
of euro coins are different according to where the coin was issued. This figure is 10
percentage points higher the euro area average (14%). We also see relatively lower
awareness in Portugal and Spain, where 63% and 66% identify the correct situation.
However, we stress that even in these countries it is a solid majority who know what
the status quo is with regards to sides of euro coins.
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In terms of socio-demographic factors, awareness is strongly linked to
education levels, with those educated to the age of 20 or above (85%) significantly
more likely to identify the correct answer than those who finished their education at
the age of 15 or before (61%).
Awareness also decreases with age, being higher for the 15-24 age group (77%)
than it is for the 55+ age group (67%). This difference is due to varying rates of
‘Don’t Know’ answers, which are over three times as common amongst the oldest
age group (15%) than the youngest (4%). Gender is also a factor, with men (76%)
more likely to give the correct answer than women (70%). Again, this is accounted
for by the proportion of ‘Don’t Know answers (men, 6%; women, 11%).
Awareness that one side is national, one side common: socio-demographic analysis
Both sides of euro
coins are the same
regardless of the
issuing country
ZONE
Sex
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
15
16-19
20+
Still Studying
4%
Euro coins have one side
There is no 'common side'
that is common to all
of euro coins; both sides
countries issuing euro
coins and one side that is are different depending
on the issuing country
specific to the issuing
country
73%
14%
DK
9%
4%
4%
76%
70%
14%
15%
6%
11%
5%
4%
4%
5%
77%
74%
76%
67%
14%
16%
14%
13%
4%
6%
6%
15%
6%
4%
3%
4%
61%
75%
85%
79%
16%
16%
9%
14%
17%
5%
3%
3%
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1.2 Recognition of national coin sides
Respondents were given a practical exercise to test their visual recognition of euro
coins.
They were presented with a series of images of euro coin sides. Five of these
represented real coins, three of them fake coins. For each, they were asked to
identify whether it was genuine or not5.
- Genuine euro coin sides are recognised as such by the majority of
respondents All of the real coins in the exercise were recognised by the majority of
respondents, with the most recognisable coin of all being the German 2 euro coin,
which is identified as genuine by almost 8 in 10 (78%). This was closely followed by
the Italian 1 euro (77%) and the German 50-cent (76%). The lowest recognition rate
is recorded for the Spanish 50-cent coin (59%), whilst exactly two-thirds (66%)
recognise the French 2 euro.
Recognition of real euro coin sides
Recognition
Rate
Incorrect
answer
rate
DK
(% of respondents in the euro
area)
Highest
recognition
Lowest
recognition
(% of respondents
in country in
question)
2 Euro
Germany
78%
12%
10%
DE
(92%)
SI
(62%)
1 Euro
Italy
77%
12%
11%
DE
(86%)
PT
(58%)
50 cent
Germany
76%
12%
12%
DE
(95%)
PT
(57%)
2 Euro
France
67%
18%
15%
FR
(79%)
SI
(36%)
50 cent
Spain
59%
24%
17%
LU
(76%)
SI
(41%)
5
QE2 For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine
euro coin side.
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- Recognition varies considerably depending on the coins and countries
under consideration Looking at the individual euro area states, we note the following:
Relatively High Recognition:
● Recognition is generally high in Germany, naturally being especially so for the
two German coins tested.
● The two German coins are also well-recognised in Austria, most likely due to
the fact of geographical proximity
● Results show high recognition in Luxembourg, notably for the German and
Spanish 50 cents and the French 2 euro.
Relatively Low Recognition:
● In both Portugal and Slovenia, all five of the real coins tested were
recognised by below average proportions. The Slovenian results are
unsurprising given the recent introduction of the euro there.
● Recognition is also generally lower than average in Finland, especially for the
Spanish 50 cent, French 2 euro and Italian 1 euro.
● Recognition is comparatively lower in Ireland, especially for the French 2 euro
and German 50 cent.
● These two coins are also recognised to a lower extent in Italy, although the pattern
of generally low figures is not repeated as for Ireland.
● In Spain, the German 50-cent and Italian 1 euro are relatively under-recognised.
Exact figures for all coins according to countries are given below:
Recognition of real euro coin sides: country results
DE 2 euro
IT 1 euro
DE 50
cent
FR 2 euro
ES 50
cent
78%
77%
76%
67%
59%
BE
78%
74%
81%
77%
60%
DE
92%
86%
95%
76%
60%
EL
84%
80%
76%
66%
52%
ES
69%
67%
61%
60%
68%
FR
74%
74%
71%
79%
64%
IE
70%
70%
61%
56%
51%
EURO AREA
IT
71%
80%
65%
52%
53%
LU
87%
83%
90%
83%
76%
NL
83%
82%
86%
75%
54%
AT
89%
80%
86%
64%
63%
PT
65%
58%
57%
51%
48%
SI
62%
64%
64%
36%
41%
FI
71%
66%
78%
57%
50%
KEY
= high relative recognition of coin
= low relative recognition of coin
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Taking the above overview of results it is evident that there is no hard and fast rule
that explains varying recognition rates. Rather there are a number of factors which
cross-cut each other and sometimes work in different ways.
● The clearest tendency is that coins are highly recognised in their own issuing
country. However, at the same time the Spanish, French and Italians are all less
likely to recognise their own coins than the Luxembourgers.
● Related to the above point, geographical proximity is also sometimes a factor. This
best exemplified by the high recognition of German coins in Austria. Yet at the same
time, we also see that this is by no means a universal pattern: for example, the
Spanish 50-cent is not well recognised in Portugal.
● For whatever reasons, recognition rates tend to be higher or lower in certain
countries regardless of the geographical factors outlines above. Results are high
across the board for German and Luxembourger respondents and low for those from
Portugal, Slovenia and to a lesser extent Finland.
- Education, age, urbanisation and gender are all related to recognition In addition to the above, it is also true that social and demographic factors are of
some influence, although it should be pointed out that all genuine coin sides were
correctly identified by a majority of respondents in all socio-demographic groups.
Nonetheless we note a fair degree of variation, as follows:
● Length of education effects recognition, with those educated to 20 and above
showing the highest level of recognition. The difference between the result for
this group and those who ended education at 15 or before is between 9 and 12
percentage points depending on the coin side in question.
● Recognition is highest amongst the youngest group. The difference between
the figures for these respondents and for the oldest varies between 12 and 20
percentage points depending on the coin side under consideration. This is partly
related to education levels (a higher proportion of the youngest respondents have
been educated for longer). However, the explanation here may also lie with the fact
that the younger group will have had less exposure to pre-euro national currencies,
thereby reducing the potential for confusion.
● The degree of a respondent’s urbanisation has some effect on recognition,
with those in rural areas slightly less likely to identify a coin side as being genuine
compared to those living in a small/medium or large sized town.
● Men are more likely than women to recognise a genuine euro coin side, but only to
a very moderate extent.
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Recognition of real euro coin sides: socio-demographic analysis
EURO AREA
Sex
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
15
16-19
20+
Still Studying
Subjective urbanisation
Rural village
Small/ mid size
town
Large town
DE 2 euro
78%
ES 50 cent
59%
IT 1 euro
77%
FR 2 euro
67%
DE 50 cent
76%
81%
76%
62%
57%
79%
76%
70%
65%
77%
75%
86%
83%
78%
71%
71%
64%
59%
51%
83%
82%
78%
71%
75%
70%
70%
59%
84%
80%
76%
68%
71%
81%
82%
89%
52%
61%
64%
72%
71%
80%
81%
84%
57%
70%
76%
75%
69%
79%
79%
84%
73%
56%
72%
64%
72%
80%
61%
81%
68%
77%
81%
61%
79%
71%
78%
- The public is reasonably proficient at identifying false coin sides Also included in the same coin-identification exercise were 3 fictitious coin sides. Of
these 3 coins, 2 were fictitious ‘national’ sides of a 2 euro coin and one a fictitious
side of a 1 euro coin. This added an extra dimension to the exercise, thereby testing
not only positive recognition of circulating euro coins, but also the ability of the
public to differentiate between false and genuine coins in a context of encountering
them both simultaneously.
Encouragingly, the fake 1 euro side and the second of the false 2 euro sides
were correctly identified as such by higher proportions than those who
believed them to be genuine. An absolute majority of 51% spotted the false 1
Euro side, a figure 16 points higher than the 35% believing it to be genuine. A
similar differential is seen for one of the fake 2 euros, with this being identified by
49% and wrongly said to be real by 26% (a difference of 13 points).
The other fake 2 euro side proved more problematic, with a roughly 50-50 split
between correct (38%) and incorrect (40%) identifications. This fake coin was indeed
difficult to spot, since it was the one that bore the most resemblance in terms of
design to an existing authentic coin.
Unsurprisingly, the fake coins also caused a high level of hesitation - between
22% and 25% felt unable to give an answer when presented with these coins.
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Identification of fake coin sides
Correct
Identification
of Fake
Incorrect
Identification
as Genuine
2 Euro
Fake 1
38%
40%
1 Euro
Fake 2
51%
2 Euro
Fake 3
49%
Highest
identification
of Fake
Lowest
identification
of Fake
22%
BE
(56%)
PT, IE
(27%)
25%
24%
NL
(74%)
ES
(36%)
26%
25%
BE, NL
(70%)
IT
(37%)
DK
On average, taking the average of the three overall identification rates, correct
identification of false coin sides in this question was 46% with 30%
incorrectly believing the sides to be genuine.
- Good identification levels of false coin sides in Belgium and the
Netherlands Again the pattern varies according to countries, with the Belgian and Dutch
publics generally showing the highest levels of correct identification of false
coins. Taking the average across all three false coins, we see that exactly two-thirds
(66%; +20 points compared to euro area average) in both of these countries were
able to do this. We also note a high figure for Luxembourg (60%; +14 points).
It is also highly encouraging to see that in Slovenia, where the euro has only been in
circulation for a matter of months, recognition of false coins registered at 45% (-1
point compared to euro area average).
At the other end of the country scale, the Irish average stands at just over one-third
(34%), with relatively low figures also seen for Portugal (35%), Austria (36%), Italy
and Spain (both 37%).
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Average of correct identification across all three false coins
- Country average
BE
66%
NL
66%
60%
LU
54%
FI
FR
51%
DE
50%
50%
EL
46%
EURO AREA
45%
SI
ES
37%
IT
37%
36%
AT
35%
PT
34%
IE
As is the case for the genuine coin sides tested, correct identification of false sides is
highest amongst the youngest and those educated for the longest period.
Identification of fake coin sides: socio-demographic analysis
EURO AREA
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
15
16-19
20+
Still Studying
FAKE 1
38%
FAKE 2
51%
FAKE 3
49%
43%
37%
41%
35%
61%
53%
52%
45%
60%
52%
49%
41%
35%
37%
40%
43%
51%
59%
42%
49%
53%
43%
62%
62%
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1.3 Non-euro coins and coin-like objects in practice
Respondents were asked whether they had ever mistakenly accepted a coin of a
different currency or an object resembling a coin instead of a genuine euro coin6.
- Over 6 in 10 say they have never mistakenly accepted a non-euro coin or
coin-like object Results here show that most people (62%) believe that they have never
accepted a non-euro coin or coin-like object in place of a genuine euro coin;
whereas 30% think they have done so at least once. This figure comprises of 12%
who believe this has happened only once, 15% who say this has happened a few
times and just 3% who think they have accepted such a coin or object many times.
We stress here that these figures, being based on perception, are purely indicative
and should not be taken as an exact measure of the incidence of non-euro coins and
coin-like objects infiltrating circulation euro coins. However it does seem that, when
this does happen, it tends to be an isolated occurrence with only a tiny proportion of
respondents saying that they have accepted such a coin or object ‘many times’.
QE5 To your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a noneuro coin or a coin-like object instead of a genuine euro coin?
- % euro area
Yes, many times
3%
DK
8%
Yes, a few times
15%
Yes, but only once
12%
No, never
62%
6
QE5 to your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a non-euro coin or a coin-like object instead
of a genuine euro coin?
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The belief that one has accepted a non-euro coin or a coin like object
increases with age, up to the 40-54 age bracket (34% vs. 24% for those aged 1524). Thereafter it drops again for those aged 55 and over (29%). Respondents
educated for the longest amount of time (33%) are also marginally more likely to
think they have accepted such a coin or object.
Non-euro coins and coin-like objects in practice: socio-demographic analysis
EURO AREA
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
15
16-19
20+
Still Studying
14
Yes
30%
No, never
62%
DK
8%
24%
29%
34%
29%
70%
63%
58%
61%
6%
8%
8%
10%
27%
30%
33%
25%
63%
62%
61%
70%
10%
8%
6%
5%
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
2 Identifying face value in practice
2.1 Identification exercise using real coins
For a second identification exercise, respondents were presented with the local
national sides of a 20-cent and a 2-cent coin7. The coins were placed with this face
up and respondents were asked - without turning them - to then ascertain the face
value of both coins, from a list of 9 different combinations8.
Though bearing some resemblance to the previous test involving identification of real
and fake sides, here respondents were asked to pinpoint the face value of physical
coins. The introduction of multiple answer categories as opposed to a simple
true/false choice also added further difficulty.
6 in 10 correctly identify the two-coin combination -
-
Given the factors outlined above, it is encouraging to see that a solid majority of
60% were able to correctly identify the face value of the two coins
presented to them.
% Correct identification of two-coin combination
*
76%
FI
68%
ES
63%
DE
IE
62%
AT
62%
euro area
60%
IT
60%
59%
NL
58%
LU
EL
54%
PT
54%
53%
BE
52%
FR
SI
30%
*NB: In Finland 20-cent and 5-cent coins were used for
this exercise due to 2-cent coins hardly being
in circulation there.
7
In Austria and Greece, German national sides were used because on Austrian and Greek coins the value
is, in fact, indicated also on the national sides as well as the common sides. In Finland, the 2-cent coin is
in practice not in circulation. Respondents here were therefore given a 20-cent and 5–cent combination for
this exercise.
8
QE3 Without turning the following two coins, could you tell me what combination from the following list
corresponds to the values of the two?
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The highest identification rate was seen in Finland (76%). A strong degree of caution
should be exercised in interpreting this result in relation to those for other countries,
due to the fact that in practice there is only one red coin in circulation here as
opposed to the three circulating in the rest of the euro area.
At the other end of the scale, we see very low results in Slovenia, where only 30%
correctly identified the two coins correctly. As for the exercise on identifying pictures
of coin sides, results here are clearly coloured by Slovenia’s comparatively recent
entry into the euro area.
Excluding these two extremes, country identification rates fall within a fairly narrow
range – from 52% (France) to 68% (Spain).
As for the exercise involving recognition of coin sides from pictures, age and
education are the main socio-demographic determinants of opinion, with the longest
educated and the youngest respondents being the groups scoring the highest on this
task.
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2.2 Need for coin-turning in order to identify face value
As a measure of the difficulties respondents experience in easily distinguishing the
value of euro coins, they were asked a question on how often, if at all, they need to
turn a euro coin in order to ascertain its value9. In essence, this provides a measure
of the ease or difficulty respondents face in identifying the face value of euro coins.
- Identification of face value is not problematic for the majority… Overall results are largely encouraging with few people having regular
difficulties in identifying face value. Just over one-third (36%) never having to
turn a euro coin to find out its value, with 40% occasionally doing so, 14%
frequently turning and a small group of 8% saying they always have to turn a coin to
be sure of its value. In total, 62% say that they need to turn a coin at least
occasionally. However, it is the group of 22% who say they frequently or always
have to turn a coin who we may regard as those who find identification of face value
as problematic.
QE6 Some people have difficulty in distinguishing the value of euro
coins. They need to turn the coins to be sure of their value. Which
of the following situations corresponds best to you?
- % euro area
You always have
to turn a euro
coin to be sure of
its value
8%
DK
2%
You frequently
have to turn a
euro coin to be
sure of its value
14%
You never have to
turn a euro coin
to be sure of its
value
36%
You occasionally
have to turn a
euro coin to be
sure of its value
40%
- …although there are differences at country level Here the range in individual country results is large. A figure approaching half of
all Slovenians (46%) say that they frequently or always have to turn. This fits
logically with results outlined above, where relatively low proportions of Slovenians
were able to recognise pictures of euro coin sides, or to identify the combination of
20-cent and 2-cent coins from the Slovenian national side. In Slovenia, recognition
and identification is clearly linked to the recent introduction there of the euro and
thus we would expect these to rise significantly over time.
9
QE6 Some people have difficulty in distinguishing the value of euro coins. They need to turn the coins to
be sure of their value. Which of the following situations corresponds best to you?
17
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
Elsewhere there is not necessarily a distinct link between results on identifying face
value and results elsewhere. For example, a high proportion of respondents turning
frequently or always is also evident in Greece (40%).
This result is somewhat surprising, since on Greek (and Austrian) circulation coins
the face value is in fact indicated on both the common and national sides. Even
taking into account the fact that a large share of euro coins circulating in Greece (as
in other countries) originate from other euro-area countries, we might not expect
21 % of Greek respondents to say that they always turn euro coins to be sure of the
face value. The high Greek figure may partly reflect a general unfamiliarity with
using coins, since in the years prior to the introduction of the euro, coins were not
much used in Greece. This figure falls to 13% for Finland and 15% for Ireland and
Spain.
However, at the same time it should be noted that Greek respondents did not score
particularly low on the exercises involving recognition of coin sides and identification
of the 20-cent/2-cent combination.
At the opposite end of the country ranking, just 13% of Finns and 15% of Irish and
Spanish say that they frequently or always need to turn a coin in order to ascertain
its face value. Again, there is no obvious link with other results – The Finns and the
Irish score low on recognition of some coin sides, but high on identifying their local
20-cent/5- or 2-cent combination. The lower need for turning in Finland may,
however, be influenced by the fact that 1- and 2-cent coins are hardly in circulation
there (see also 2.3). The Spanish tend towards the euro area average on both these
exercises.
% Turning frequently or always
46%
SI
40%
EL
BE
29%
FR
28%
AT
28%
EURO AREA
22%
NL
22%
21%
IT
DE
20%
PT
20%
18%
LU
ES
15%
IE
15%
FI
13%
18
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
Age is a very important factor here in identifying face-value – perhaps even
more so than country - with the need for turning increasing directly with age. Whilst
only 10% of those aged 15-24 say that they frequently or always need to turn a
coin, this figure rises by 25 percentage points to 35% for those aged 55 and over.
Level of education is also important here, although not to the same extent as
age. Nonetheless, those turning frequently or always account for 31% of the group
who ended their studies at the age of 15 or before compared to 19% of those who
continued education to the age of 20 or over.
Finally, we also note some differences according to urbanisation, with respondents
living in rural areas (26%) somewhat more likely than those living in metropolitan
areas (19%) to say they need to turn coins frequently or always.
Identification of face-value: socio-demographic analysis
You never have to
turn a euro coin to
be sure of its
value
36%
You occasionally
have to turn a
euro coin to be
sure of its value
40%
You frequently
have to turn a
euro coin to be
sure of its value
14%
You always have
to turn a euro
coin to be sure
of its value
8%
2%
55%
42%
35%
34%
41%
43%
7%
10%
13%
3%
5%
7%
1%
2%
2%
55 +
23%
39%
21%
14%
3%
Education (End of)
15
16-19
20+
29%
36%
35%
38%
40%
45%
17%
14%
14%
14%
8%
5%
2%
2%
1%
Still Studying
57%
33%
7%
2%
1%
Rural village
Small/ mid size town
34%
35%
38%
42%
16%
14%
10%
7%
2%
2%
Large town
40%
38%
11%
8%
3%
EURO AREA
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
DK
Subjective urbanisation
19
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
2.3 Coins most problematic for face-value identification
Those respondents who expressed at least some difficulty in identifying face-value by
saying they sometimes have to turn a coin to recognise its denomination were then
asked a supplementary question on which specific coins cause difficulties10.
- As face value increases, identification improves Results here show a clear pattern, with two of the three low-value red coins
being those that the highest proportions experience difficulty with, followed
by the mid-range yellow coins and finally the high-value bi-colour coins. The red 2cent coin is the most difficult of all to identify, with this being cited by over half of all
‘turners’. The 1-cent and 20-cent coins are an exception to the general pattern, in
that more respondents indicate that they experience difficulties with the yellow 20cent coin than they do with the red 1-cent coin.
QE7 For which of the following euro coins do you have difficulties in
identifying the value? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
BASE: All who have to turn a coin at least occasionally to ascertain value
The red 2 cents coin
57%
The red 5 cents coin
44%
The yellow 20 cents coin
40%
The red 1 cent coin
30%
The yellow 10 cents coin
30%
The yellow 50 cents coin
21%
15%
The bi-colour 2 euros coin
The bi-colour 1 euro coin
11%
None (SPONTANEOUS)
10
7%
All of them
(SPONTANEOUS)
4%
DK
3%
QE7 For which of the following euro coins do you have difficulties in identifying the value?
20
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
Generally speaking, the pattern described above holds true across individual
countries. Nonetheless, we note the following instances where specific coins proved
especially problematic in certain countries.
Red coins
● The red 2-cent coin, which is the one which causes problems for the highest
proportion of turners in the euro area (57%) is cited by a high share of turners in
Belgium, France (both 73%; +16 compared to euro area average) and Luxembourg
(72%; +15).
● The 2-cent also causes difficulties for a higher proportion of Slovenian turners
(75%; +18). Slovenian turners are, in addition, relatively more likely to say that the
5-cent coin is problematic (63%; +19), as well as the 2-cent (51%; +21).
● In Greece, as for Slovenia, all 3 red coins cause problems for coin-turners. The
most difficult is again the 2-cent (79%; +22). This is followed by the 5-cent (72%;
+28) and then 1-cent (56%; +26). These Greek figures are the highest according to
country for each of the 3 red coins11.
Yellow coins
● In the Netherlands, the 20-cent coin is problematic for 63% (+23 compared to
euro area average) of turners. The 10-cent causes also causes difficulties for a
relatively high proportion (48%; +18).
● The same two coins are those that Austrian turners most frequently struggle to
identify. As in the Netherlands, 63% (+23) of turners in Austria expressed difficulties
regarding the 20-cent coin. Over half (57%; +20) have problems to identify the 20cent.
● In Finland, the 20-cent is again cited as problematic by 63% (+23) of turners.
Additionally, we see that the 50-cent coin, not generally difficult to recognise
elsewhere, is mentioned by 40% (+19) of Finns.
Difficulty in identifying face value of individual coins
Base: All who have to turn a coin at least occasionally to ascertain value
The red 1cent coin
The red 2cents coin
The red 5cents coin
The yellow
10-cents
coin
The yellow
20-cents
coin
The yellow
50-cents
coin
The bicolour 1
euro coin
The bicolour 2
euros coin
EURO
AREA
30%
57%
44%
30%
40%
21%
11%
15%
BE
39%
73%
58%
30%
32%
14%
5%
7%
DE
20%
51%
38%
24%
44%
26%
11%
15%
EL
56%
79%
72%
46%
49%
29%
19%
23%
ES
30%
62%
52%
28%
36%
25%
16%
21%
FR
39%
73%
58%
28%
34%
16%
8%
8%
IE
42%
62%
49%
36%
41%
25%
24%
19%
IT
28%
47%
33%
28%
33%
13%
6%
14%
LU
39%
72%
59%
25%
34%
18%
6%
6%
NL
24%
44%
27%
48%
63%
25%
19%
20%
AT
37%
61%
47%
57%
63%
34%
27%
21%
PT
17%
31%
21%
16%
22%
15%
8%
21%
SI
51%
75%
63%
42%
49%
38%
20%
19%
FI
12%
12%
10%
35%
63%
40%
15%
9%
KEY
= High relative difficulty in identifying the face value of the coin
11
See also comment on Greece under 2.2.
21
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
- Identification of red coins is similar for different socio-economic groups;
yellow coins are better identified by the young; bi-coloured coins by the
young and most educated Analysis of results for this question according to age and education shows some
distinct patterns according to the colour/value of the coin in question.
Firstly, for the red 1-, 2- and 5-cent coins, the difficulty of identification does
not vary much amongst different socio-economic classifications of ‘turners’.
These coins – generally the most difficult to identify of all – prove no more
problematic for the old than the young, or those with the shortest education
compared to those with the longest. One slight exception to this is the 1-cent coin,
with this cited by 35% of those turners aged 55 and over, a figure 5 points higher
than the euro area average of 30%.
Secondly, for the yellow 10-, 20- and 50-cent coins, the situation is different:
most notably, as the age of turners increases, so does the proportion
mentioning these coins as causing difficulties. As one example, the proportion
of 55+ turners citing the 50-cent coin (26%) is twice as high as the share of 15-24
year-old turners giving the same answer (13%). Education still does not come into
the equation much as a factor here, although the 50-cent coin causes difficulties for
a higher share of those turners who finished their studies at the age of 15 (26%)
than of those who stayed in education until at least 20 (19%).
Difficulty in identifying the face value of the yellow coins: analysis by age
Base: All who have to turn a coin at least occasionally to ascertain value
euro area
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
22
The
yellow
10cents
coin
30%
The
yellow
20cents
coin
40%
The
yellow
50cents
coin
21%
21%
28%
28%
33%
27%
36%
43%
44%
13%
16%
22%
26%
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
Lastly, for the 2 bi-colour coins we see that results are directly linked to both
age and education. For example, the 1 euro coin is mentioned as a problem by 3
times as many of turners aged 55+ (16%) as of those aged 15-24 (5%). Meanwhile,
this coin is cited by 5 percentage points more of those who finished education at 15
or before (15%) than of those who continued studying until 20 or further (10%).
Nonetheless, regarding these coins, we stress most of all the fact that regardless of
socio-demographic factors, these are easily identifiable for the vast majority of
turners.
Difficulty in identifying the face value of the bi-colour coins: analysis by age and education
Base: All who have to turn a coin at least occasionally to ascertain value
Euro area
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
15
16-19
20+
Still Studying
23
The bicolour 1
euro
coin
11%
The bicolour 2
euros
coin
15%
5%
8%
11%
16%
9%
11%
13%
19%
15%
10%
10%
5%
19%
12%
12%
10%
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
3. Opinion on national sides of euro coins
Alongside testing levels of awareness and recognition regarding current euro coins, a
second objective of this survey is to establish the state of public opinion within the
euro area on issues relating to coin design. In particular, this involves the question of
whether there is a clear preference for greater national autonomy in coin sides, for
more standardisation, or whether people seem to prefer the situation as it is.
3.1 Evaluation of the principle of national sides
- There is strong support for the idea of national sides It is clear that the basic principle of national sides is one that is generally
accepted and often welcomed. A clear majority of 57% in the euro area say that
it is a good thing that euro coins have national sides that differ from one country to
the next, with just 9% saying that this is a bad thing12. Over a quarter (28%)
spontaneously give a neutral opinion, despite the fact that this was not presented as
an answer option.13
QE8 Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro
coins have national sides that are different from country to
country?
- % euro area
DK
6%
It is neither a
good nor a bad
thing
(SPONTANEOUS)
28%
It is a good thing
57%
It is a bad thing
9%
12
QE8 Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that are
different from country to country?
13
See also section 3.2, below, where a different question is analysed as to whether coins should have two
common sides. Here the majority still take a position that is in favour of national sides, though a greater
share indicate favourability to two common sides than say in the current question that national sides are a
‘bad thing’.
24
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
QE8 Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro
coins have national sides that are different from country to
country?
- % euro area
DK
6%
It is neither a
good nor a bad
thing
(SPONTANEOUS)
28%
It is a good thing
57%
It is a bad thing
9%
25
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
Amongst individual countries, favourability towards having national sides is
particularly strong in Luxembourg (82%) and also reaches levels of at least
three-quarters in Greece (78%), Finland (77%), the Netherlands (76%), and
Slovenia (75%).
At the other end of the scale, less than one-third of Italians (31%) say that they
think national sides are a good thing. However, this is not due to any significant
opposition to the principle, with only 16% of Italians declaring themselves to be
against having national sides. Rather, Italian opinion is distinguished by a high
degree of neutrality (41%), with this being the only case where ‘neither good nor
bad’ answers outnumber positive ones.
We also see that respondents giving a ‘good thing’ answer form an absolute minority
(but a relative majority) in both Portugal (43%) and Spain (46%). In both these
countries we again see a high proportion of neutral answers (39% and 36% in
Portugal and Spain respectively).
QE8 Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro coins
have national sides that are different from country to country?
-% answering 'good thing'
82%
LU
78%
EL
77%
FI
76%
NL
75%
SI
70%
FR
66%
DE
BE
65%
IE
65%
57%
EURO ZONE
53%
AT
46%
ES
43%
PT
IT
31%
26
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
We have seen throughout the survey that ‘hard’ measures of recognition and
identification are linked to the factors of age and education. This is also the case with
the ‘softer’ matter of opinion.
Here, we see that the youngest and the most educated respondents are those
who are most favourable towards having national sides of euro coins. ‘Good
thing’ answers are more common to the extent of 26 percentage points amongst
those educated to the age of at least 20 (71%) than the group who finished their
education at 15 or before (45%). They are also given by 19 percentage points more
of the group aged 15-24 (69%) than the group aged 55+ (50%).
- National sides are seen as an expression of Europe’s cultural diversity The majority who expressed favourability towards national sides were then asked to
choose applicable answers from a list of three reasons underpinning this opinion14.
The main reason given here is that it is an expression of cultural diversity in
Europe – 65% choose this as their opinion on this issue. This is followed by the other
two answers which receive a similar proportion of responses to each other: 30% say
that they like to see a national symbol of their country on euro coins, with 28%
thinking that ‘more variety makes coins more interesting’.
QE9a What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a good
thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country
to country? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
(Base: all saying national sides are a 'good thing')
It is an expression of the
cultural diversity in Europe
65%
You like to see a national
symbol of (OUR COUNTRY)
on the euro coins
30%
More variety makes coins
more interesting
Other (SPONTANEOUS)
DK
28%
1%
1%
14
QE9a What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a good thing that euro coins have national sides that
are different from country to country?
27
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
Regarding cultural diversity, the range in country results for this item is moderate,
meaning that cultural diversity figures as a prominent argument for having
national sides in all countries of the euro area. Figures for this answer are at
their highest in Germany (70%) and are lowest in Ireland (48%).
28
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
- Seeing the national symbol is a major reason for favourability in Greece,
Slovenia and Ireland Ireland is also the only country where the top-ranked answer is not ‘cultural
diversity’. Instead, exactly half (50%) of all favourable Irish respondents say that
one of the reasons for favourability towards national sides is that they like to see a
national symbol of their country on euro coins.
This is chosen by even higher proportions in Greece (56%) and Slovenia (52%),
although in these countries the share answering ‘cultural diversity’ is higher yet
(57% in Greece; 66% in Slovenia). At the other end of the scale, the ‘national
symbol’ argument is invoked by just 22% of all Germans.
29
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
- The variety of different sides is a significant factor in support for them in
Luxembourg, Finland and Austria The added variety and interest generated by differing national sides is mentioned as
a reason by a reasonably high share of Luxembourgers (41%), Finns (40%) and
Austrians (39%). The opinion is expressed least frequently in Ireland (12%).
It is interesting to note that cultural diversity is selected as an answer by an
especially high proportion of those respondents educated up to the age of
20 and above (73%, compared to 51% of those finishing their education at 15 or
earlier). Conversely, the answer concerning seeing a national symbol on euro coins is
favoured more by the group with the shortest education (39%, compared to 26% of
those educated to 20 and above).
30
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
Reasons for favourability towards national sides: the effect of education levels
Base: all who consider national sides to be a good thing
It is an expression of the
cultural diversity in
Europe
You like to see a national
symbol of (OUR
COUNTRY) on the euro
coins
More variety makes coins
more interesting
65%
30%
28%
51%
66%
73%
68%
39%
30%
26%
23%
25%
28%
27%
39%
euro area
Education (End of)
15
16-19
20+
Still Studying
- The belief that a common currency should have a common look and
confusion are the two reasons behind limited opposition Amongst the small minority15 who think that it is bad thing to have national sides on
euro coins, the main arguments expressed are that in principle a common currency
should look the same everywhere (56%) and that, from a practical standpoint,
multiple designs are confusing (46%)16.
QE9b What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a bad
thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country
to country? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
(Base: all saying national sides are a 'bad thing')
A currency that is common
to several countries should
look the same everywhere
56%
The variety of designs is
confusing
You do not like some
national designs
Other (SPONTANEOUS –
SPECIFY)
DK
15
16
46%
5%
2%
2%
9% or 1,089 out of the 13,201 respondents
QE9b What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a bad thing that euro coins have
national sides that are different from country to country?
31
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
3.2 Preferences on extent of homogeneity and national variation
Finally, respondents were reminded that countries in the euro area are not currently
able to change their national sides except when the Head of State depicted on a coin
changes or in the case of annual limited-volume commemorative 2 euro coins. After
having this situation outlined to them, they were asked for their reaction to two
statements argued from different perspectives17:
● Euro-area countries should be allowed to introduce new national sides of euro coins
as often as they wish
● Euro-coins should have two common European sides that are not different from
country to country
- Public preference tends neither towards having two common sides nor
allowing greater leeway to introduce new national sides Interestingly, both statements meet with more disagreement than agreement,
suggesting that public preference lies somewhere between the two extremes
of complete commonality and complete autonomy, a position which largely
describes the situation as it currently exists.
Concerning the freedom to introduce new national designs as often as desired, 49%
disagree with this idea, with 37% agreeing (a gap of 12 points). For the statement
on absolute commonality the gap between disagreement (57%) and agreement
(30%) is over twice as high, at 27 points. Here almost twice as many disagree as
agree.
Statements on homogeneity and national variation
Euro-area countries should be allowed to
introduce new national sides of euro coins as
often as they wish
- % euro area
DK
14%
Euro coins should have two common
European sides that are not different from
country to country
- % euro area
DK
13%
Agree
30%
Agree
37%
isagree
49%
Disagree
57%
17
QE10 As a matter of fact, euro-area countries cannot change their national sides of euro coins, except
when the Head of State depicted on a coin changes. In addition, euro-area countries are allowed to issue a
limited volume of a commemorative 2 euro circulation coin with a different national side each year. For
each of the following statements, please tell me whether you agree with it or not.
32
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
Individual countries may be divided into four groups with regards to the results seen
here:
(i) Those where results exhibit a similar pattern to the overall tendency.
(ii)Those where the same tendency is evident as in the overall results, but to an even
stronger extent.
(iii)Those where the public desire greater national autonomy.
(iv) The special case of Italy, where opinion is more equivocal in nature.
(i) Countries where results exhibit a similar pattern to the overall tendency
In France and Ireland, results are very much the same as those in the euro
area taken together. Respondents in both countries are more likely to reject than
agree with both statements, although we note that in Ireland there are relatively
large proportions who are unable to offer an opinion, with 25% answering ‘Don’t
Know’ to the statement on freedom to introduce national sides and 23% giving the
same answer to the statement on having two common sides.
Agreement/disagreement with statements on euro coins:
Countries similar to euro area
Agree
Disagree
DK
euro area
Euro area countries should be
allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins
as often as they wish
Euro coins should have two
common European sides that
are not different from country
to country
49%
37%
30%
14%
57%
13%
France
Euro area countries should be
allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins
as often as they wish
Euro coins should have two
common European sides that
are not different from country
to country
56%
32%
12%
63%
27%
10%
Ireland
Euro area countries should be
allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins
as often as they wish
Euro coins should have two
common European sides that
are not different from country
to country
34%
41%
57%
20%
0%
25%
23%
100%
33
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
(ii) Countries where the overall trends are similar to that in the euro area,
but stronger
There are several countries where results are along the lines of those seen for the
euro area, but differ in that they show greater levels of intensity. In these
countries - Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands –
disagreement with both statements is higher than it is at euro area level,
with the difference between national figures and the overall average exceeding 10
points on both items. This suggests that these are countries where the public are
especially satisfied with a position that lies somewhere between the two extremes
typified by the surveyed statements.
We note that the idea of two common sides is especially opposed in Luxembourg
(85%) whilst the proposition for countries to be able to introduce national sides
whenever desired provokes the highest level of opposition in the Netherlands (76%).
Agreement/disagreement with statements on euro coins:
Countries with similar tendencies to euro area, but stronger
euro area
Agree
Disagree
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
DK
49%
37%
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
30%
57%
14%
13%
Belgium
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
27%
69%
4%
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
28%
69%
3%
Germany
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
60%
32%
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
26%
67%
8%
7%
Luxembourg
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
66%
27%
85%
9%
7%
6%
Netherlands
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
19%
76%
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
18%
79%
5%
3%
Finland
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
31%
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
22%
64%
72%
5%
6%
Slovenia
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
27%
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
19%
0%
34
62%
71%
11%
10%
100%
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
(iii) Countries where the public tends to desire greater national autonomy in
introducing national sides
A third group of countries is characterised by the fact that the public is, on balance,
supportive of allowing euro area countries to introduce new national sides
as often as they wish. In the case of Greece (61%) and Austria (55%), this
support accounts for an absolute majority of public opinion. In Portugal (45%) and
Spain (42%), support does not reach quite the same levels, although it still
outweighs opposition to the autonomy principle (35% and 25% in Portugal and Spain
respectively). In Portugal, support for two common sides is, however, also clearly
higher than the euro-area average.
Agreement/disagreement with statements on euro coins:
Countries where the public desires greater national autonomy
Agree
Disagree
DK
Euro area
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
37%
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
14%
49%
30%
13%
57%
Greece
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
61%
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
2%
37%
30%
1%
69%
Spain
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
42%
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
31%
25%
33%
31%
38%
Austria
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
55%
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
31%
34%
58%
11%
11%
Portugal
Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
45%
Euro coins should have two common European sides that
are not different from country to country
38%
0%
35
35%
41%
20%
21%
100%
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
(iv) The Italian case: opinions are balanced
The one country that does not fit into any of the above the categories is Italy. Here
opinion is very much balanced with regards to both questions. Both
agreement and disagreement stand at 43% concerning the proposition for two
common sides, whilst there is little difference between the 41% who agree that
countries should be able to introduce new national sides at any time and the 43%
who disagree with this.
Agreement/disagreement with statements on euro coins:
More equivocal opinion in Italy
Agree
Disagree
DK
Euro area
Euro area countries should be allow ed
to introduce new national sides of euro
coins as often as they w ish
37%
Euro coins should have two common
European sides that are not different
from country to country
30%
49%
57%
14%
13%
Italy
Euro area countries should be allow ed
to introduce new national sides of euro
coins as often as they w ish
41%
Euro coins should have two common
European sides that are not different
from country to country
43%
0%
43%
43%
16%
14%
100%
36
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
- Attitudes towards commonality and autonomy are to some extent linked to
broader opinions on the euro It is interesting to locate answers to this question in the wider context of attitudes
towards the euro. The standard Eurobarometer series contains a question on
whether respondents are for or against the euro and it is results from the most
recently published standard Eurobarometer to which we refer below18.
Specifically, countries where the public is most strongly opposed both to
greater freedom to introduce national sides and to having two common
sides are those where support for the euro is high. Thus amongst the countries
described above in group two, support for the euro ranges from 66% (Germany) to
85% (Belgium).
However, high support for the euro is not necessarily a pure predictor that a country
will exhibit strong opinions with regards to national sides: In Ireland, where opinion
on national sides is less intense, support for the euro is very high at 87%.
As a second pattern, it can be seen that those countries where the public are
more supportive of having greater freedom to introduce new national sides
are those where support for the Euro is relatively lower. In these countries
falling into group three outlined above, support for the euro is between 49%
(Greece) and 66% (Austria).
Support for the euro: country comparison
Countries with results similar to euro
area, or similar but intensified
COUNTRY
SUPPORT FOR EURO
87%
IE
Countries where the public desire
more autonomy in national sides
COUNTRY
SUPPORT FOR EURO
67%
AT
85%
ES
LU
84%
PT
63%
SI
83%
EL
49%
FI
78%
BE
FR
76%
NL
73%
DE
66%
64%
Other figures
IT
64%
Euro area
68%
18
Standard Eurobarometer 66, fieldwork September-October 2006.
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb66/eb66_en.pdf
QA25.1 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell me for each statement
whether you are for it or against it: A European Monetary Union with one single currency, the euro.
37
National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007
DG ECFIN
CONCLUSION
With the moratorium on circulation euro coins approaching its end, the results to this
survey provide some timely information on the behaviour and attitudes of citizens in
euro-area countries.
A summary of the key figures from the survey is included at the beginning of the
report19. Here we again provide a summary of major findings, though without
quoting specific statistics.
This information falls into two categories. Firstly, ‘hard’ figures related to
respondents’ awareness of euro coins, and the ease by which their sides and facevalue are recognisable and identifiable; Secondly, ‘soft’ data related to the attitudes
of citizens to the principle of having national sides and their views on the future
minting of coins.
In the first category of results, we have seen that a solid majority are aware that
one side of euro coins is common to all countries, with the other varying
according to the issuing country (section 1.1). On the whole, the public are well
able to identify a genuine euro coin side, or the face value of a coin from their own
national side (sections 1.2; 2.1; 2.2).
With regards to face value it is true, however, that the lower-value red coins do
cause more difficulty in terms of identification (section 2.3). This is a complex
matter, with issuing country, the nationality of the respondent in question and sociodemographic issues all factors in how easy it is to identify a given coin.
Concerning matters of opinion, one of the clearest findings of the survey is that the
principle of having a national side is widely accepted. The vast majority of
respondents have a view that is either positive or neutral in this respect; very few
indeed are actively opposed to having national sides (section 3.1). The main reason
behind this is that it is seen as being an expression of Europe’s cultural diversity,
although in some countries the wish to see one’s own national symbol on a coin is
also a motivation.
Further to this, when presented with the idea of having two common sides to
coins, the typical reaction is one of opposition: Respondents are largely against
the idea of complete uniformity (section 3.2).
It is therefore clear that the public has a preference for a continued role for
national sides of euro coins. At the same time, the majority would like to see this
within a controlled context, with some restraint on the possibility of introducing new
national sides (section 3.2).
19
See ‘main findings’, p.3.
38
ANNEXES
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIAL EUROBAROMETER N°287
“National Sides of Euro Coins”
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Between the 25th of May and the 30th of June 2007, TNS Opinion & Social, a consortium created between Taylor Nelson Sofres and EOS Gallup Europe,
carried out wave 67.3 of the EUROBAROMETER, on request of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Directorate General Communication, “Public Opinion and
Media Monitoring”.
The SPECIAL EUROBAROMETER N°287 is part of wave 67.3 and covers the population of the respective nationalities of the European Union Member
States, resident in each of the 13 countries that are members of the Euro Zone and aged 15 years and over. The basic sample design applied in all
states is a multi-stage, random (probability) one. In each country, a number of sampling points was drawn with probability proportional to population
size (for a total coverage of the country) and to population density.
In order to do so, the sampling points were drawn systematically from each of the "administrative regional units", after stratification by individual unit
and type of area. They thus represent the whole territory of the countries surveyed according to the EUROSTAT NUTS II (or equivalent) and according
to the distribution of the resident population of the respective nationalities in terms of metropolitan, urban and rural areas. In each of the selected
sampling points, a starting address was drawn, at random. Further addresses (every Nth address) were selected by standard "random route"
procedures, from the initial address. In each household, the respondent was drawn, at random (following the "closest birthday rule"). All interviews
were conducted face-to-face in people's homes and in the appropriate national language. As far as the data capture is concerned, CAPI (Computer
Assisted Personal Interview) was used in those countries where this technique was available.
ABBREVIATIONS
N°
INTERVIEWS
FIELDWORK
DATES
POPULATION
15+
COUNTRIES
INSTITUTES
BE
Belgium
TNS Dimarso
1.040
25/05/2007
21/06/2007
8.650.994
DE
Germany
TNS Infratest
1.510
25/05/2007
21/06/2007
64.361.608
EL
Greece
TNS ICAP
1.000
26/05/2007
20/06/2007
8.693.566
ES
Spain
TNS Demoscopia
1.007
29/05/2007
26/06/2007
37.024.972
44.010.619
FR
France
TNS Sofres
1.039
29/05/2007
26/06/2007
IE
Ireland
TNS MRBI
1.003
30/05/2007
30/06/2007
3.089.775
IT
Italy
TNS Abacus
1.017
30/05/2007
27/06/2007
48.892.559
LU
Luxembourg
TNS ILReS
510
28/05/2007
25/06/2007
374.097
NL
The Netherlands
TNS NIPO
1.001
25/05/2007
25/06/2007
13.030.000
AT
Austria
Österreichisches Gallup-Institut
1.009
25/05/2007
25/06/2007
6.848.736
PT
Portugal
TNS EUROTESTE
1.002
02/06/2007
27/06/2007
8.080.915
SI
Slovenia
RM PLUS
1.037
27/05/2007
25/06/2007
1.720.137
FI
Finland
TNS Gallup Oy
1.026
29/05/2007
20/06/2007
4.348.676
13.201
25/05/2007
30/06/2007
249.126.654
TOTAL
For each country a comparison between the sample and the universe was carried out. The Universe description was derived from Eurostat population
data or from national statistics offices. For all countries surveyed, a national weighting procedure, using marginal and intercellular weighting, was
carried out based on this Universe description. In all countries, gender, age, region and size of locality were introduced in the iteration procedure. For
international weighting (i.e. EU averages), TNS Opinion & Social applies the official population figures as provided by EUROSTAT or national statistic
offices. The total population figures for input in this post-weighting procedure are listed above.
Readers are reminded that survey results are estimations, the accuracy of which, everything being equal, rests upon the sample size and upon the
observed percentage. With samples of about 1,000 interviews, the real percentages vary within the following confidence limits:
Observed percentages
10% or 90%
20% or 80%
30% or 70%
40% or 60%
50%
Confidence limits
± 1.9 points
± 2.5 points
± 2.7 points
± 3.0 points
± 3.1 points
QUESTIONNAIRE
A
A
your survey number
EB67.2 A
B
EB67.2 A
B
country code
EB67.2 B
C
C
our survey number
D
Interview number
EB67.2 E
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
numéro de l'interview
EB67.2 D
E
Split ballot
A
B
notre numéro d'étude
EB67.2 C
EB67.2 D
E
code pays
EB67.2 B
EB67.2 C
D
votre numéro d'étude
1
2
Split ballot
A
B
1
2
EB67.2 E
1/90
13/07/2007
Q1
ASK ITEM 28 ONLY IN TURKEY
POSER ITEM 28 UNIQUEMENT EN TURQUIE
ASK ITEM 29 ONLY IN CROATIA
POSER ITEM 29 UNIQUEMENT EN CROATIE
Q1
What is your nationality? Please tell me the country(ies) that applies(y).
(PLUSIEURS REPONSES POSSIBLES)
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
Belgium
Denmark
Germany
Greece
Spain
France
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Portugal
United Kingdom (Great Britain, Northern Ireland)
Austria
Sweden
Finland
Republic of Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Poland
Slovakia
Slovenia
Bulgaria
Romania
Turkey
Croatia
Other countries
DK
EB67.2 Q1
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
Quelle est votre nationalité ? Veuillez indiquer le(s) pays qui s'applique(nt).
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
13,
14,
15,
16,
17,
18,
19,
20,
21,
22,
23,
24,
25,
26,
27,
28,
29,
30,
31,
Belgique
Danemark
Allemagne
Grèce
Espagne
France
Irlande
Italie
Luxembourg
Pays-Bas
Portugal
Royaume-Uni (Grande Bretagne, Irlande du Nord)
Autriche
Suède
Finlande
République de Chypre
République tchèque
Estonie
Hongrie
Lettonie
Lituanie
Malte
Pologne
Slovaquie
Slovénie
Bulgarie
Roumanie
Turquie
Croatie
Autre pays
NSP
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
13,
14,
15,
16,
17,
18,
19,
20,
21,
22,
23,
24,
25,
26,
27,
28,
29,
30,
31,
EB67.2 Q1
2/90
13/07/2007
IF OTHER or DK THEN CLOSE INTERVIEW
SI AUTRE ou NSP ALORS FIN D'INTERVIEW
ASK D15b IF "NOT DOING ANY PAID WORK CURRENTLY", CODES 1 to 4 in D15a
POSER D15b SI "PAS D'ACTIVITE ACTUELLE", CODES 1 à 4 en D15a
D15a
What is your current occupation?
D15a
Quelle est votre profession actuelle ?
D15b
Did you do any paid work in the past? What was your last occupation?
D15b
Exerciez-vous une activité professionnelle rémunérée auparavant ? Laquelle en dernier lieu ?
D15a
CURRENT
OCCUPATION
D15b
LAST
OCCUPATION
1
1
Student
Unemployed or temporarily not working
Retired or unable to work through illness
SELF EMPLOYED
Farmer
Fisherman
Professional (lawyer, medical practitioner, accountant,
architect, etc.)
Owner of a shop, craftsmen, other self-employed person
2
3
4
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
6
7
8
8
Business proprietors, owner (full or partner) of a company
9
9
10
10
11
NON-ACTIVE
Responsible for ordinary shopping and looking after the
home, or without any current occupation, not working
INACTIFS
En charge des achats courants et des tâches ménagères
ou sans aucune activité professionnelle
D15a
PROFESSION
ACTUELLE
D15b
PROFESSION
PRECEDENTE
1
1
2
3
4
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
6
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
Etudiants
Au chômage \ temporairement sans emploi
A la retraite ou en congé de maladie prolongé
INDEPENDANTS
Agriculteur exploitant
Pêcheur
Profession libérale (avocat, médecin, expert comptable,
architecte, etc.)
Commerçant ou propriétaire d'un magasin, artisan ou
autre travailleur indépendant
Industriel, propriétaire (en tout ou en partie) d'une
entreprise
SALARIES
Profession libérale salariée (docteur, avocat, comptable,
architecte, etc.)
Cadre supérieur \ dirigeant (PDG\DG, Directeur, etc.)
11
11
12
12
Cadre moyen
12
12
13
13
Employé travaillant la plupart du temps dans un bureau
13
13
Employed position, not at a desk but travelling (salesmen,
driver, etc.)
Employed position, not at a desk, but in a service job
(hospital, restaurant, police, fireman, etc.)
14
14
14
14
15
15
15
15
Supervisor
Skilled manual worker
Other (unskilled) manual worker, servant
16
17
18
16
17
18
Employé ne travaillant pas dans un bureau mais
voyageant (vendeur, chauffeur, représentant, etc.)
Employé ne travaillant pas dans un bureau mais ayant
une fonction de service (hôpital, restaurant, police,
pompiers, etc.)
Contremaître, agent de maîtrise
Ouvrier qualifié
Autre ouvrier (non qualifié), personnel de maison
16
17
18
16
17
18
EMPLOYED
Employed professional (employed doctor, lawyer,
accountant, architect)
General management, director or top management
(managing directors, director general, other director)
Middle management, other management (department
head, junior manager, teacher, technician)
Employed position, working mainly at a desk
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
3/90
13/07/2007
Never did any paid work
EB67.2 D15a D15b
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
19
19
N'a jamais exercé d'activité professionnelle rémunérée
19
19
EB67.2 D15a D15b
4/90
13/07/2007
ASK QE IN EUROZONE13
QE1
POSER LES QE EN EUROZONE13
In your opinion, which of the three following statements on euro coins is the correct one?
(SHOW CARD – READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY)
1
NEW
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
A votre avis, parmi les trois affirmations suivantes à propos des pièces d’euro, laquelle est
correcte ?
(MONTRER CARTE – LIRE – UNE SEULE REPONSE)
Both sides of euro coins are the same regardless of the issuing country
Euro coins have one side that is common to all countries issuing euro coins
and one side that is specific to the issuing country
There is no 'common side' of euro coins; both sides are different depending
on the issuing country
DK
QE1
2
3
4
Les deux faces des pièces d’euro sont identiques quel que soit le pays dans
lequel elles sont émises
Les pièces d’euro ont une face commune à tous les pays qui en produisent,
et une face spécifique au pays qui les émet
Il n’y a pas de ‘face commune’ aux pièces d’euro ; les deux faces sont
différentes en fonction du pays qui les émet
NSP
1
2
3
4
NEW
75/90
13/07/2007
QE2
For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a
genuine euro coin side.
QE2
(SHOW CARD WITH NATIONAL SIDES OF EURO COINS – ONE ANSWER PER LINE)
(READ OUT)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Coin 1
Coin 2
Coin 3
Coin 4
Coin 5
Coin 6
Coin 7
Coin 8
NEW
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
Yes
No
DK
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Pour chacune de ces images, pourriez-vous me dire si elle représente une véritable face de
pièce d’euro ou non ?
(MONTRER CARTE AVEC LES FACES NATIONALES DES PIECES D’EURO – UNE
REPONSE PAR LIGNE)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
(LIRE)
Oui
Non
NSP
Pièce 1
Pièce 2
Pièce 3
Pièce 4
Pièce 5
Pièce 6
Pièce 7
Pièce 8
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
NEW
76/90
13/07/2007
QE3
INT.: Place one 20-cent coin and one 2-cent coin in front of the respondent, with the national
sides up (i.e. with the indication of the face value not being visible). The coins should bear the
normal national side of the country where the interview takes place, except in Austria and
Greece, where the German coins should be used (the reason for this exception is that on
Austrian and Greek coins the value is, in fact, indicated also on the national sides. Euro coins
with the German national sides should therefore instead be used in these countries since they
are the most frequent national sides in circulation overall).
ENQ. : Placer une pièce de 20 cents d’euro et une pièce de 2 cents d’euro en face du
répondant, avec la face nationale vers le dessus (c’est-à-dire avec l’indication de la valeur de
la pièce non visible). Les pièces utilisées devraient être les pièces nationales du pays dans
lequel a lieu l’interview, sauf en Autriche et en Grèce, où les pièces allemandes devraient être
utilisées (la raison de cette exception tient en ce que, sur les pièces autrichiennes et
grecques, la valeur est en fait également indiquée sur les faces nationales. Les pièces d’euro
avec les faces nationales allemandes devraient dès lors être utilisées dans ces pays étant
donné qu’elles sont en général les pièces nationales les plus couramment en circulation.
(MAKE SURE THAT THE RESPONDENT DOES NOT SEE THE VALUE OF THE TWO
COINS)
(S’ASSURER QUE LE REPONDANT NE VOIT PAS LA VALEUR DES DEUX PIECES)
Without turning the following two coins, could you tell me what combination from the following
list corresponds to the values of the two?
(READ OUT – SHOW CARD – ONE ANSWER ONLY)
10 cents & 1 cent
10 cents & 2 cents
10 cents & 5 cents
20 cents & 1 cent
20 cents & 2 cents
20 cents & 5 cents
50 cents & 1 cent
50 cents & 2 cents
50 cents & 5 cents
Other (SPONTANEOUS)
DK
NEW
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
QE3
Sans retourner les deux pièces suivantes, pourriez-vous me dire, parmi la liste suivante,
quelle est la combinaison qui correspond aux valeurs de ces deux pièces ?
(MONTRER CARTE – LIRE – UNE SEULE REPONSE)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
10 cents et 1 cent
10 cents et 2 cents
10 cents et 5 cents
20 cents et 1 cent
20 cents et 2 cents
20 cents et 5 cents
50 cents et 1 cent
50 cents et 2 cents
50 cents et 5 cents
Autre (SPONTANE)
NSP
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
NEW
77/90
13/07/2007
QE4
To your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a fake coin instead of a genuine euro
coin?
QE4
(SHOW CARD – READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY)
Yes, many times
Yes, a few times
Yes, but only once
No, never
DK
(MONTRER CARTE – LIRE – UNE SEULE REPONSE)
1
2
3
4
5
Oui, plusieurs fois
Oui, quelques fois
Oui, mais une seule fois
Non, jamais
NSP
NEW
QE5
(SHOW CARD – READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY)
NEW
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
1
2
3
4
5
NEW
To your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a non-euro coin or a coin-like object
instead of a genuine euro coin?
Yes, many times
Yes, a few times
Yes, but only once
No, never
DK
A votre connaissance, avez-vous déjà accepté par erreur une fausse pièce au lieu d’une
authentique pièce d’euro ?
QE5
A votre connaissance, avez-vous déjà accepté par erreur une pièce qui n’était pas une pièce
d’euro ou un objet qui ressemble à une pièce au lieu d’une authentique pièce d’euro ?
(MONTRER CARTE – LIRE – UNE SEULE REPONSE)
1
2
3
4
5
Oui, plusieurs fois
Oui, quelques fois
Oui, mais une seule fois
Non, jamais
NSP
1
2
3
4
5
NEW
78/90
13/07/2007
QE6
Some people have difficulty in distinguishing the value of euro coins. They need to turn the
coins to be sure of their value. Which of the following situations corresponds best to you?
QE6
(MONTRER CARTE – LIRE – UNE SEULE REPONSE)
(SHOW CARD – READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY)
You never have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its value
Vous ne devez jamais retourner une pièce d’euro pour être certain(e) de sa
valeur
Vous devez occasionnellement retourner une pièce d’euro pour être
certain(e) de sa valeur
Vous devez fréquemment retourner une pièce d’euro pour être certain(e) de
sa valeur
Vous devez toujours retourner une pièce d’euro pour être certain(e) de sa
valeur
NSP
1
You occasionally have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its value
2
You frequently have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its value
3
You always have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its value
DK
QE7
Certaines personnes éprouvent des difficultés à faire la distinction entre la valeur des pièces
d’euro. Elles ont besoin de retourner les pièces pour être certaines de leur valeur. Parmi les
situations suivantes, laquelle correspond le mieux à la vôtre ?
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
NEW
NEW
ASK QE7 IF "TURN THE COINS", CODE 2, 3 OR 4 IN QE6 - OTHERS GO TO QE8
POSER QE7 SI " RETOURNE LES PIECES", CODE 2, 3 OU 4 EN QE6 - LES AUTRES
ALLER EN QE8
For which of the following euro coins do you have difficulties in identifying the value?
(SHOW CARD – READ OUT – MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
The red 1 cent coin
The red 2 cents coin
The red 5 cents coin
The yellow 10 cents coin
The yellow 20 cents coin
The yellow 50 cents coin
The bi-colour 1 euro coin
The bi-colour 2 euros coin
NONE (SPONTANEOUS)
ALL OF THEM (SPONTANEOUS)
DK
NEW
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
QE7
Dans la liste suivante, quelles sont les pièces d’euro pour lesquelles vous éprouvez des
difficultés à identifier la valeur ?
(MONTRER CARTE – LIRE – PLUSIEURS REPONSES POSSIBLES)
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
La pièce rouge d’1 cent
La pièce rouge de 2 cents
La pièce rouge de 5 cents
La pièce jaune de 10 cents
La pièce jaune de 20 cents
La pièce jaune de 50 cents
La pièce bicolore d’1 euro
La pièce bicolore de 2 euros
Aucune (SPONTANE)
Toutes (SPONTANE)
NSP
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
NEW
79/90
13/07/2007
ASK ALL
QE8
A TOUS
Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that
are different from country to country?
QE8
(SHOW CARD – READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY)
It is a good thing
It is a bad thing
It is neither a good nor a bad thing (SPONTANEOUS)
DK
QE9a
Diriez-vous que c’est une bonne chose ou une mauvaise chose que les pièces d’euro aient
des faces nationales qui sont différentes d’un pays à l’autre ?
(MONTRER CARTE – LIRE – UNE SEULE REPONSE)
1
2
3
4
C’est une bonne chose
C’est une mauvaise chose
Ce n’est ni une bonne ni une mauvaise chose (SPONTANE)
NSP
1
2
3
4
NEW
NEW
ASK QE9a IF "IT IS A GOOD THING", CODE 1 IN QE8 - IF "IT IS A BAD THING", CODE 2 IN
QE8 GO TO QE9b - OTHERS GO TO QE10
POSER QE9a SI "C'EST UNE BONNE CHOSE", CODE 1 EN QE8 - SI "C'EST UNE
MAUVAISE CHOSE", CODE 2 EN QE8 ALLER EN QA9b - LES AUTRES ALLER EN QE10
What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a good thing that euro coins have
national sides that are different from country to country?
(SHOW CARD – READ OUT – MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
It is an expression of the cultural diversity in Europe
You like to see a national symbol of (OUR COUNTRY) on the euro coins
More variety makes coins more interesting
Other (SPONTANEOUS – SPECIFY)
DK
NEW
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
QE9a
Quels sont les raisons qui expliquent le mieux pourquoi vous pensez que c’est une bonne
chose que les pièces d’euro aient des faces nationales qui sont différentes d’un pays à
l’autre ?
(MONTRER CARTE – LIRE – PLUSIEURS REPONSES POSSIBLES)
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
C’est un signe de la diversité culturelle en Europe
Vous aimez voir un symbole national de (NOTRE PAYS) sur les pièces
d’euro
Avoir plus de diversité rend les pièces plus intéressantes
Autre (SPONTANE – SPECIFIER)
NSP
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
NEW
80/90
13/07/2007
ASK QE9b IF "IT IS A BAD THING", CODE 2 IN QE8 - OTHERS GO TO QE10
QE9b
POSER QE9b SI "C'EST UNE MAUVAISE CHOSE", CODE 2 EN QE8 - LES AUTRES ALLER
EN QE10
What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a bad thing that euro coins have
national sides that are different from country to country?
(SHOW CARD – READ OUT – MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
The variety of designs is confusing
A currency that is common to several countries should look the same
everywhere
You do not like some national designs
Other (SPONTANEOUS – SPECIFY)
DK
NEW
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
QE9b
Quels sont les raisons qui expliquent le mieux pourquoi vous pensez que c’est une mauvaise
chose que les pièces d’euro aient des faces nationales qui sont différentes d’un pays à
l’autre ?
(MONTRER CARTE – LIRE – PLUSIEURS REPONSES POSSIBLES)
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
La diversité des motifs porte à confusion
Une monnaie qui est commune à plusieurs pays devrait ressembler à la
même chose partout
Vous n’aimez pas certains motifs nationaux
Autre (SPONTANE – SPECIFIER)
NSP
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
NEW
81/90
13/07/2007
ASK ALL
QE10
A TOUS
As a matter of fact, euro-area countries cannot change their national sides of euro coins,
except when the Head of State depicted on a coin changes. In addition, euro-area countries
are allowed to issue a limited volume of a commemorative 2-euro circulation coin with a
different national side each year. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether
you agree with it or not.
(SHOW CARD WITH SCALE – ONE ANSWER PER LINE)
( READ OUT)
QE10
En fait, les pays de la zone euro ne peuvent pas changer la face nationale de leurs pièces
d’euro, sauf en cas de changement du Chef d’Etat représenté sur les pièces. De plus, ils
peuvent mettre en circulation chaque année un volume limité de pièces commémoratives de 2
euros avec une face nationale différente. Pour chacune des affirmations suivantes, pouvezvous me dire si vous êtes d’accord ou pas d’accord avec celle-ci ?
(MONTRER CARTE AVEC ECHELLE – UNE REPONSE PAR LIGNE)
Totally
agree
Tend to
agree
Tend to
disagree
Totally
disagree
DK
(LIRE)
1
Euro-area countries should
be allowed to introduce new
national sides of euro coins
as often as they wish
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
Euro coins should have two
common European sides
that are not different from
country to country
1
2
3
4
5
2
NEW
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
Les pays de la zone euro
devraient pouvoir introduire
de nouvelles faces
nationales de pièces d’euro
aussi souvent qu’ils le
souhaitent
Les pièces d’euro devraient
avoir deux faces
européennes communes qui
ne sont pas différentes d’un
pays à l’autre
Tout à fait
d’accord
Plutôt
d’accord
Plutôt pas
d’accord
Pas du
tout
d’accord
NSP
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
NEW
82/90
13/07/2007
DEMOGRAPHICS
D1
DEMOGRAPHIQUES
In political matters people talk of "the left" and "the right".How would you place your views on
this scale?
D1
(SHOW CARD) - (INT.: DO NOT PROMPT - IF CONTACT HESITATES, TRY AGAIN)
D7
1
Left
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Right
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A propos de politique, les gens parlent de "droite" et de "gauche". Vous-même, voudriez-vous
situer votre position sur cette échelle ?
(MONTRER CARTE) - (ENQ. : NE RIEN SUGGERER. SI LA PERSONNE HESITE,
INSISTER)
1
Gau
che
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Droit
e
10
Refusal (SPONTANEOUS)
11
Refus (SPONTANE)
11
DK
12
NSP
12
EB67.2 D1
EB67.2 D1
NO QUESTIONS D2 TO D6
PAS DE QUESTIONS D2 A D6
Could you give me the letter which corresponds best to your own current situation?
(SHOW CARD - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY)
Married
Remarried
Unmarried, currently living with partner
Unmarried, having never lived with a partner
Unmarried, having previously lived with a partner, but now on my own
Divorced
Separated
Widowed
Other (SPONTANEOUS)
Refusal (SPONTANEOUS)
EB67.2 D7
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
D7
Pouvez-vous m'indiquer la lettre qui correspond le mieux à votre situation actuelle ?
(MONTRER CARTE - LIRE - UNE SEULE REPONSE)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Marié(e)
Remarié(e)
Célibataire vivant actuellement en couple
Célibataire n'ayant jamais vécu en couple
Célibataire ayant déjà vécu en couple dans le passé mais actuellement
seul(e)
Divorcé(e)
Séparé(e)
Veuf\Veuve
Autre (SPONTANE)
Refus (SPONTANE)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
EB67.2 D7
83/90
13/07/2007
D8
D10
How old were you when you stopped full-time education?
D8
(INT.: IF "STILL STUDYING", CODE ‘00’ - IF "NO EDUCATION" CODE '01' - IF "REFUSAL"
CODE '98' - IF "DK" CODE '99')
(ENQ. : SI "ETUDIE ENCORE", CODER ‘00’ - SI "PAS D'ETUDE" CODER '01' - SI "REFUS"
CODER '98' - SI "DK" CODER '99')
EB67.2 D8
EB67.2 D8
NO QUESTION D9
PAS DE QUESTION D9
D10
Gender.
Male
Female
1
2
Sexe du répondant.
Homme
Femme
EB67.2 D10
D11
A quel âge avez-vous arrêté vos études à temps complet ?
1
2
EB67.2 D10
How old are you?
D11
Quel est votre âge ?
EB67.2 D11
EB67.2 D11
NO QUESTION D12 TO D14
PAS DE QUESTIONS D12 A D14
D15a AND D15b ASKED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE
NO QUESTIONS D16 TO D24
D25
PAS DE QUESTIONS D16 A D24
Would you say you live in a...?
D25
(READ OUT)
Rural area or village
Small or middle sized town
Large town
DK
EB67.2 D25
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
Diriez-vous que vous vivez … ?
(LIRE)
1
2
3
4
Dans une commune rurale
Dans une ville petite ou moyenne
Dans une grande ville
NSP
1
2
3
4
EB67.2 D25
84/90
13/07/2007
PAS DE QUESTIONS D26 A D39
NO QUESTIONS D26 TO D39
D40a
D40b
D40c
D41
Could you tell me how many people aged 15 years or more live in your household, yourself
included?
D40a
Pouvez-vous me dire combien de personnes âgées de 15 ans et plus vivent dans votre foyer,
y compris vous-même ?
(INT.: READ OUT - WRITE DOWN)
(ENQ. : LIRE - NOTER EN CLAIR)
EB67.2 D40a
EB67.2 D40a
Could you tell me how many children less than 10 years old live in your household?
D40b
Pouvez-vous me dire combien d’enfants de moins de 10 ans vivent dans votre foyer ?
(INT.: READ OUT - WRITE DOWN)
(ENQ. : LIRE - NOTER EN CLAIR)
EB67.2 D40b
EB67.2 D40b
Could you tell me how many children aged 10 to 14 years old live in your household?
D40c
Pouvez-vous me dire combien d’enfants de 10 à 14 ans vivent dans votre foyer ?
(INT.: READ OUT - WRITE DOWN)
(ENQ. : LIRE - NOTER EN CLAIR)
EB67.2 D40c
EB67.2 D40c
D41
You personally, were you born…?
(MONTRER CARTE - LIRE - UNE SEULE REPONSE)
(SHOW CARD - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY)
In (OUR COUNTRY)
In another Member Country of the European Union
In Europe, but not in a Member Country of the European Union
In Asia, in Africa or in Latin America
In Northern America, in Japan or in Oceania
Refusal (SPONTANEOUS)
EB67.2 D41
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
Vous-même, êtes-vous né(e) ?
1
2
3
4
5
6
En (NOTRE PAYS)
Dans un autre Etat membre de l’Union européenne
En Europe, mais pas dans un Etat membre de l’Union européenne
En Asie, en Afrique ou en Amérique latine
En Amérique du Nord, au Japon ou en Océanie
Refus (SPONTANE)
1
2
3
4
5
6
EB67.2 D41
85/90
13/07/2007
D42
Which of these proposals corresponds to your situation?
D42
(SHOW CARD - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY)
Laquelle de ces propositions correspond à votre situation ?
(MONTRER CARTE - LIRE - UNE SEULE REPONSE)
Your mother and your father were born in (OUR COUNTRY)
One of your parents was born in (OUR COUNTRY) and the other was born
in another Member State of the EU
Your mother and your father were born in another Member State of the EU
1
Votre mère et votre père sont nés en (NOTRE PAYS)
L’un de vos parents est né en (NOTRE PAYS) et l’autre est né dans un
autre Etat membre de l’UE
Votre mère et votre père sont nés dans un autre Etat membre de l’UE
2
3
One of your parents was born in (OUR COUNTRY) and the other was born
outside of the EU
Your mother and your father were born outside the EU
DK\ Refusal (SPONTANEOUS)
4
5
6
Do you own a fixed telephone in your household?
D43a
Possédez-vous un téléphone fixe dans votre foyer ?
D43b
Do you own a personal mobile telephone?
D43b
Possédez-vous un téléphone mobile\ GSM\ portable personnel ?
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
4
5
6
EB67.2 D42
D43a
EB67.2 D43a D43b
2
3
Un de vos parents est né en (NOTRE PAYS) et l’autre est né en dehors de
l’UE
Votre père et votre mère sont nés en dehors de l’UE
NSP\ Refus (SPONTANE)
EB67.2 D42
Yes
No
1
D43a
Fixed
1
2
D43b
Mobile
1
2
Oui
Non
D43a
Fixe
1
2
D43b
Mobile
1
2
EB67.2 D43a D43b
86/90
13/07/2007
PAS DE QUESTIONS D44 A D45
NO QUESTIONS D44 TO D45
D46
D46
Which of the following goods do you have?
(MONTRER CARTE - LIRE - PLUSIEURS REPONSES POSSIBLES)
(SHOW CARD - READ OUT - MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
Television
DVD player
Music CD player
Computer
An Internet connection at home
A car
An apartment\ a house which you have finished paying for
An apartment\ a house which you are paying for
None (SPONTANEOUS)
DK
EB67.2 D46
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
Parmi les biens suivants, lesquels possédez-vous ?
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
Une télévision
Un lecteur DVD
Un lecteur CD audio
Un ordinateur
Une connexion Internet à la maison
Une voiture
Un appartement\ Une maison que vous avez fini de payer
Un appartement\ Une maison que vous êtes en train de payer
Aucun (SPONTANE)
NSP
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
EB67.2 D46
87/90
13/07/2007
INTERVIEW PROTOCOLE
P1
PROTOCOLE D'INTERVIEW
DATE OF INTERVIEW
DAY
P1
MONTH
JOUR
EB67.2 P1
P2
TIME OF THE BEGINNING OF THE INTERVIEW
HOUR
P2
HEURE DU DEBUT DE L'INTERVIEW
(ENQ. : DE 0 A 23 HEURE)
MINUTES
HEURE
EB67.2 P2
NUMBER OF MINUTES THE INTERVIEW LASTED
P3
DUREE DE L'INTERVIEW EN MINUTES
MINUTES
EB67.2 P3
EB67.2 P3
Number of persons present during the interview, including interviewer
Two (interviewer and respondent)
Three
Four
Five or more
P4
1
2
3
4
EB67.2 P5
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
1
2
3
4
EB67.2 P4
Respondent cooperation
Excellent
Fair
Average
Bad
Nombre de personnes présentes pendant l'interview, l'enquêteur inclus.
Deux (l'enquêteur et le répondant)
Trois
Quatre
Cinq et plus
EB67.2 P4
P5
MINUTES
EB67.2 P2
MINUTES
P4
MOIS
EB67.2 P1
(INT.: USE 24 HOUR CLOCK)
P3
DATE DE L'INTERVIEW
P5
1
2
3
4
Coopération du répondant
Excellente
Bonne
Moyenne
Médiocre
1
2
3
4
EB67.2 P5
88/90
13/07/2007
P6
P7
P8
Size of locality
P6
(LOCAL CODES)
(CODES LOCAUX)
EB67.2 P6
EB67.2 P6
Region
P7
(CODES LOCAUX)
EB67.2 P7
EB67.2 P7
Postal code
P8
Sample point number
Interviewer number
P9
Weighting factor
EB67.2 P11
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
N° point de chute
EB67.2 P9
P10
EB67.2 P10
P11
Code postal
EB67.2 P8
EB67.2 P9
P10
Région
(LOCAL CODES)
EB67.2 P8
P9
Catégorie d'habitat
N° enquêteur
EB67.2 P10
P11
Facteur de pondération
EB67.2 P11
89/90
13/07/2007
ASK ONLY in LU, BE, ES, FI, EE, LV, MT and TR
P13
POSER UNIQUEMENT en LU, BE, ES, FI, EE, LV, MT and TR
Language of interview
Language 1
Language 2
Language 3
EB67.2 P13
BilingualQuestionnaireEB673
P13
1
2
3
Langue de l'interview
Langue 1
Langue 2
Langue 3
1
2
3
EB67.2 P13
90/90
13/07/2007
EB67.3
Special EB N°287
“National Sides of Euro Coins” (note about QE3)
In Finland, 5-cent coins have been used instead of 2-cent coin as the Finnish 2-cent
coin doesn’t exist.
EB Spécial N°287
“Les faces nationales des pièces en euro”
(note à propos de la QE3)
En Finlande, des pièces de 5 centimes d’euro ont été utilisées à la place des pièces de
2 centimes d’euro, car les pièces finnoises de 2 centimes n’existent pas.
TABLES
QE1 In your opinion, which of the three following statements on euro coins is the correct one?
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
Both sides of euro coins are the
same regardless of the issuing
country
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
4%
3%
2%
2%
2%
12%
4%
4%
5%
6%
2%
2%
3%
9%
5%
4%
Euro coins have one side that is
common to all countries issuing
euro coins and one side that is
specific to the issuing country
73%
82%
85%
85%
88%
72%
66%
75%
68%
55%
85%
86%
75%
63%
78%
87%
There is no 'common side' of euro
coins; both sides are different
depending on the issuing country
DK
14%
12%
8%
8%
9%
14%
14%
15%
16%
24%
10%
10%
14%
17%
11%
7%
9%
3%
5%
5%
1%
2%
16%
6%
11%
15%
3%
2%
8%
11%
6%
2%
QE2.1 For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine euro coin side? (cf. document 'Euro Coins QE2')
2 euro coin (Germany)
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Yes
78%
78%
91%
92%
95%
84%
69%
74%
70%
71%
87%
83%
89%
65%
62%
71%
No
12%
16%
6%
5%
3%
15%
13%
14%
13%
15%
6%
10%
5%
14%
21%
18%
DK
10%
6%
3%
3%
2%
1%
18%
12%
17%
14%
7%
7%
6%
21%
17%
11%
QE2.2 For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine euro coin side? (cf. document 'Euro Coins QE2')
Fake coin 1
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Yes
40%
26%
44%
44%
43%
57%
39%
33%
50%
44%
22%
23%
54%
45%
31%
31%
No
38%
56%
37%
38%
43%
40%
35%
39%
27%
34%
44%
53%
29%
27%
41%
48%
DK
22%
18%
19%
18%
14%
3%
26%
28%
23%
22%
34%
24%
17%
28%
28%
21%
QE2.3 For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine euro coin side? (cf. document 'Euro Coins QE2')
50-cent coin (Spain)
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Yes
59%
60%
57%
60%
72%
52%
68%
64%
51%
53%
76%
54%
63%
48%
41%
50%
No
24%
29%
25%
24%
20%
44%
14%
21%
29%
27%
10%
31%
20%
25%
34%
34%
DK
17%
11%
18%
16%
8%
4%
18%
15%
20%
20%
14%
15%
17%
27%
25%
16%
QE2.4 For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine euro coin side? (cf. document 'Euro Coins QE2')
1 euro coin (Italy)
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Yes
77%
74%
84%
86%
93%
80%
67%
74%
70%
80%
83%
82%
80%
58%
64%
66%
No
12%
18%
9%
8%
4%
19%
13%
14%
13%
11%
9%
11%
13%
18%
19%
21%
DK
11%
8%
7%
6%
3%
1%
20%
12%
17%
9%
8%
7%
7%
24%
17%
13%
QE2.5 For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine euro coin side? (cf. document 'Euro Coins QE2')
Fake coin 2
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Yes
25%
15%
19%
20%
20%
42%
35%
15%
37%
36%
9%
10%
40%
31%
26%
21%
No
51%
71%
58%
59%
65%
54%
36%
58%
36%
39%
67%
74%
41%
39%
45%
58%
DK
24%
14%
23%
21%
15%
4%
29%
27%
27%
25%
24%
16%
19%
30%
29%
21%
QE2.6 For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine euro coin side? (cf. document 'Euro Coins QE2')
2 euro coin (France)
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Yes
67%
77%
74%
76%
84%
66%
60%
79%
56%
52%
83%
75%
64%
51%
36%
57%
No
18%
16%
14%
13%
12%
31%
17%
12%
21%
26%
7%
15%
21%
21%
38%
27%
DK
15%
7%
12%
11%
4%
3%
23%
9%
23%
22%
10%
10%
15%
28%
26%
16%
QE2.7 For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine euro coin side? (cf. document 'Euro Coins QE2')
Fake coin 3
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Yes
26%
16%
22%
22%
23%
41%
33%
18%
34%
34%
7%
11%
42%
29%
24%
25%
No
49%
70%
52%
54%
62%
55%
39%
55%
39%
37%
68%
70%
38%
40%
48%
55%
DK
25%
14%
26%
24%
15%
4%
28%
27%
27%
29%
25%
19%
20%
31%
28%
20%
QE2.8 For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine euro coin side? (cf. document 'Euro Coins QE2')
50-cent coin (Germany)
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Yes
76%
81%
94%
95%
97%
76%
61%
71%
61%
65%
90%
86%
86%
57%
64%
78%
No
12%
12%
3%
3%
2%
21%
16%
15%
18%
17%
3%
9%
7%
17%
18%
12%
DK
12%
7%
3%
2%
1%
3%
23%
14%
21%
18%
7%
5%
7%
26%
18%
10%
QE3 Without turning the following two coins (20-cent coin and 2-cent coin), could you tell me what combination from the following list corresponds to the values of the two? (see document "ReadMe Euro Coins QE3")
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
10 cents & 1
cent
10 cents & 2
cents
10 cents & 5
cents
20 cents & 1
cent
20 cents & 2
cents
20 cents & 5
cents
50 cents & 1
cent
50 cents & 2
cents
50 cents & 5
cents
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
1%
1%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
4%
2%
1%
4%
2%
3%
1%
-
4%
6%
3%
3%
3%
1%
2%
6%
5%
4%
3%
9%
6%
7%
5%
-
3%
2%
2%
2%
3%
2%
1%
5%
3%
3%
2%
3%
2%
4%
11%
5%
2%
6%
6%
5%
5%
4%
5%
7%
6%
3%
7%
9%
5%
3%
1%
59%
53%
63%
63%
61%
54%
68%
52%
62%
60%
58%
59%
62%
54%
30%
2%
15%
28%
10%
11%
14%
26%
13%
23%
8%
7%
25%
11%
8%
6%
35%
76%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
-
1%
1%
3%
2%
1%
2%
1%
1%
1%
2%
1%
2%
2%
4%
-
2%
3%
1%
1%
1%
4%
1%
3%
1%
1%
4%
2%
2%
1%
12%
5%
Other
(SPONTANEOU
S)
2%
3%
1%
1%
1%
3%
2%
4%
1%
2%
1%
2%
3%
2%
2%
DK
7%
1%
9%
9%
9%
1%
8%
9%
13%
3%
3%
6%
16%
3%
3%
QE4 To your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a fake coin instead of a genuine euro coin?
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Yes, many times
4%
4%
1%
1%
3%
2%
11%
4%
4%
3%
1%
4%
3%
1%
Yes, a few times
14%
11%
8%
8%
7%
9%
13%
18%
19%
24%
5%
7%
12%
10%
2%
5%
Yes, but only once
9%
12%
5%
5%
6%
13%
6%
13%
7%
10%
12%
16%
4%
5%
4%
4%
No, never
62%
67%
72%
73%
77%
74%
67%
48%
58%
51%
74%
63%
43%
76%
88%
86%
DK
11%
6%
14%
13%
10%
1%
12%
10%
12%
11%
6%
13%
37%
6%
6%
4%
Yes
27%
27%
14%
14%
13%
25%
21%
42%
30%
38%
20%
24%
20%
18%
6%
10%
QE5 To your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a non-euro coin or a coin-like object instead of a genuine euro coin?
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Yes, many times
3%
4%
1%
1%
1%
3%
1%
9%
4%
3%
4%
4%
3%
1%
Yes, a few times
15%
11%
11%
11%
11%
8%
10%
15%
22%
28%
7%
10%
15%
10%
3%
9%
Yes, but only once
12%
19%
7%
8%
13%
14%
6%
16%
10%
13%
17%
22%
7%
6%
8%
10%
No, never
62%
64%
69%
70%
71%
75%
71%
54%
55%
50%
69%
61%
42%
77%
86%
76%
DK
8%
2%
12%
10%
4%
12%
6%
9%
6%
3%
7%
32%
4%
3%
4%
Yes
30%
34%
19%
20%
25%
25%
17%
40%
36%
44%
28%
32%
26%
19%
11%
20%
QE6 Some people have difficulty in distinguishing the value of euro coins. They need to turn the coins to be sure of their value. Which of the following situations corresponds best to you?
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
You never have to turn a euro
coin to be sure of its value
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
36%
27%
32%
33%
36%
35%
47%
32%
44%
36%
39%
29%
28%
44%
18%
51%
You occasionally have to turn You frequently have to turn a
a euro coin to be sure of its
euro coin to be sure of its
value
value
40%
14%
44%
16%
46%
13%
45%
13%
40%
16%
25%
19%
37%
10%
38%
19%
39%
10%
39%
12%
43%
11%
49%
14%
41%
20%
34%
13%
35%
18%
36%
10%
You always have to turn a
euro coin to be sure of its
value
8%
13%
7%
7%
8%
21%
5%
9%
5%
9%
7%
8%
8%
7%
28%
3%
DK
2%
2%
2%
1%
2%
2%
4%
3%
2%
1%
-
QE7 For which of the following euro coins do you have difficulties in identifying the value? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
(IF 'TURN THE COINS', CODE 2,3 OR 4 IN QE6)
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
The red 1 cent
coin
The red 2
cents coin
The red 5
cents coin
The yellow 10
cents coin
The yellow 20
cents coin
8225
754
664
992
322
654
520
687
540
603
312
707
696
547
842
504
30%
39%
20%
20%
24%
56%
30%
39%
42%
28%
39%
24%
37%
17%
51%
12%
57%
73%
50%
51%
54%
79%
62%
73%
62%
47%
72%
44%
61%
31%
75%
12%
44%
58%
38%
38%
40%
72%
52%
58%
49%
33%
59%
27%
47%
21%
63%
10%
30%
30%
24%
24%
22%
46%
28%
28%
36%
28%
25%
48%
57%
16%
42%
35%
40%
32%
44%
44%
41%
49%
36%
34%
41%
33%
34%
63%
63%
22%
49%
63%
None
All of them
The yellow 50 The bi-colour 1 The bi-colour 2
(SPONTANEOU (SPONTANEOU
cents coin
euro coin
euros coin
S)
S)
21%
11%
15%
7%
4%
14%
5%
7%
8%
1%
27%
10%
14%
8%
1%
26%
11%
15%
8%
1%
25%
14%
18%
9%
1%
29%
19%
23%
1%
16%
25%
16%
21%
11%
10%
16%
8%
8%
7%
2%
25%
24%
19%
3%
10%
13%
6%
14%
7%
1%
18%
6%
6%
9%
3%
25%
19%
20%
5%
3%
34%
27%
21%
2%
12%
15%
8%
21%
12%
1%
38%
20%
19%
8%
14%
40%
15%
9%
11%
2%
DK
3%
0%
3%
3%
6%
1%
3%
5%
0%
1%
4%
11%
2%
2%
QE8 Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country?
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
It is a good thing
It is a bad thing
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
57%
65%
65%
66%
72%
78%
46%
70%
65%
31%
82%
76%
53%
43%
75%
77%
9%
9%
6%
7%
7%
6%
7%
9%
5%
16%
3%
6%
7%
12%
7%
8%
It is neither a good nor a bad thing
(SPONTANEOUS)
28%
24%
25%
24%
20%
16%
36%
18%
23%
41%
14%
16%
35%
39%
14%
13%
DK
6%
2%
4%
3%
1%
11%
3%
7%
12%
1%
2%
5%
6%
4%
2%
QE9a What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a good thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
(IF 'IT IS A GOOD THING', CODE 1 IN QE8)
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
It is an expression of the
cultural diversity in Europe
You like to see a national
symbol of (OUR COUNTRY)
on the euro coins
More variety makes coins
more interesting
Other (SPONTANEOUS)
DK
7544
676
651
1001
365
777
466
732
651
317
420
762
534
426
782
787
65%
62%
72%
70%
63%
57%
58%
69%
48%
64%
56%
57%
62%
58%
66%
59%
30%
30%
22%
22%
24%
56%
38%
26%
50%
25%
36%
37%
44%
34%
52%
31%
28%
34%
35%
36%
40%
19%
21%
28%
12%
18%
41%
27%
39%
19%
31%
40%
1%
1%
1%
2%
1%
1%
3%
1%
1%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
3%
1%
1%
2%
2%
2%
0%
1%
1%
0%
QE9b What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
(IF 'IT IS A BAD THING', CODE 2 IN QE8)
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
The variety of designs is
confusing
1209
90
66
102
38
65
71
91
50
161
14
64
76
124
73
86
46%
36%
56%
52%
39%
75%
56%
30%
58%
50%
38%
37%
50%
14%
52%
40%
A currency that is common to
You do not like some national
several countries should look
designs
the same everywhere
56%
61%
51%
52%
53%
55%
54%
77%
41%
44%
91%
64%
53%
76%
51%
60%
5%
6%
1%
1%
5%
4%
7%
8%
11%
16%
3%
Other (SPONTANEOUS –
SPECIFY)
DK
2%
4%
1%
4%
13%
1%
3%
0%
13%
8%
5%
2%
1%
2%
3%
5%
3%
3%
9%
1%
2%
2%
9%
3%
QE10.1 As a matter of fact, euro-area countries cannot change their national sides of euro coins, except when the Head of State depicted on a coin changes. In addition, euro-area countries are allowed to issue a limited volume of a
commemorative 2-euro circulation coin with a different national side each year. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you agree with it or not.
Euro-area countries should be allowed to introduce new national sides of euro coins as often as they wish
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Totally agree
12%
8%
15%
15%
17%
26%
11%
10%
10%
9%
11%
9%
18%
11%
7%
9%
Tend to agree
25%
19%
17%
17%
17%
35%
31%
22%
24%
32%
16%
10%
37%
34%
20%
22%
Tend to disagree
23%
29%
23%
24%
23%
21%
16%
27%
18%
24%
23%
24%
23%
21%
25%
28%
Totally disagree
26%
40%
36%
36%
39%
16%
9%
29%
23%
19%
43%
52%
11%
14%
37%
36%
DK
14%
4%
9%
8%
4%
2%
33%
12%
25%
16%
7%
5%
11%
20%
11%
5%
Agree
37%
27%
32%
32%
34%
61%
42%
32%
34%
41%
27%
19%
55%
45%
27%
31%
Disagree
49%
69%
59%
60%
62%
37%
25%
56%
41%
43%
66%
76%
34%
35%
62%
64%
QE10.2 As a matter of fact, euro-area countries cannot change their national sides of euro coins, except when the Head of State depicted on a coin changes. In addition, euro-area countries are allowed to issue a limited volume of a
commemorative 2-euro circulation coin with a different national side each year. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you agree with it or not.
Euro coins should have two common European sides that are not different from country to country
EURO ZONE
BE
D-W
DE
D-E
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
LU
NL
AT
PT
SI
FI
TOTAL
13201
1040
1003
1510
507
1000
1007
1039
1003
1017
510
1001
1009
1002
1037
1026
Totally agree
12%
13%
14%
13%
9%
15%
9%
11%
8%
13%
5%
12%
11%
10%
7%
10%
Tend to agree
18%
15%
13%
13%
12%
15%
22%
16%
12%
30%
4%
6%
20%
28%
12%
12%
Tend to disagree
28%
33%
23%
25%
31%
36%
25%
29%
25%
29%
21%
27%
33%
32%
24%
29%
Totally disagree
29%
36%
42%
42%
44%
33%
13%
34%
32%
14%
64%
52%
25%
9%
47%
43%
DK
13%
3%
8%
7%
4%
1%
31%
10%
23%
14%
6%
3%
11%
21%
10%
6%
Agree
30%
28%
27%
26%
21%
30%
31%
27%
20%
43%
9%
18%
31%
38%
19%
22%
Disagree
57%
69%
65%
67%
75%
69%
38%
63%
57%
43%
85%
79%
58%
41%
71%
72%